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Happy Monday, my friends! (Yeah, I know, it’s weird, I said “Happy” Monday…it’s not necessarily an oxymoron…hear me out!) I was always the kid who enjoyed the first day of school. How about you? The first day of vacation was pretty great, too! There is great power in “firsts.” We are almost supernaturally (or superstitiously!) drawn to the gravitas of beginnings. I remember very clearly making a circle of hands around my mother when she began her first treatment: my dad, some close friends, the nurses at the infusion center. Some of us prayed, some of us stood silent, some

Just got in from radiation doc. She said likely I'll have to do another biopsy on the rib that's lighting up. Said she will get with my onc and they are going to take it to the tumor board but she may want to try stereotatic radiosurgery on my initial tumor. Didn't think you could do radiation again to the same area but what do I know. 😕 Now I gotta wait to see onc on the 19th to see what the plan is now. Que sera and Fa La La La La!

Hang in there, Shelkay! Waiting is terrible, I know. Until you have this checked out, you won't know for sure if your headaches are even cancer-related. Or side-effect related. I'm sending good thoughts your way.

Bob, it took a minute but I get it! Thanks for that!! Eagle 13, after reading your reply I do recall reading that thru this journey. Thanks for the link. And for your story.

I was put on Imfinzi or Durva right after my Chemo and radiation treatment completed. (With no testing) I received 8 treatments of Durva before I had to stop due to the Pleural Effusion. I am now Stage 4. Biomarker testing was done on the fluid that was pulled. I sought a second opinion with the agreement of my Onc. My Onc was puzzled the Durva wasn’t working and ordered the biomarker test on the fluid. Results came in right before the 2nd opinion appointment. The 2nd opinion Dr took over my primary care by my choice and put me on the targeted therapy. The targeted therapy is 1 pill

Opal Regarding the antibiotics these results are random tests nothing more if doctor gives you antibiotics there is very good reason. What comes first the horse or the cart. .Lol Antibiotics over the course of your treatment might be a concern for a individual, That is why doctors get the big bucks and never fell asleep at classes like me. That song is as good as any works real well for me.😎

Kleo, I was taking Prednisone 70mg daily. Fairly high dose. I was fine on them. Except made me cranky, eat eat and eat more, and cry for no reason. Oh and sleep was limited. I've heard some people had worse side effects so probably everyone reacts differently. TRIPLETS lol! Then maybe I wouldn't get any side effects either😀 (from durva). Keep us posted on rad doc visit. Sending prayers. Bob, Re the link on antibiotics, OK now I'm wondering about those antibiotics I took while my Immuno was on hold. So even tho it was only on Mon, Wed, Fri while I was on steroids. Wonder if

Kleo- I too wish they had done the biomarker testing on my biopsy. My biomarker testing was done on the fluid pulled from the thoracintesis. I also had blood pulled that confirmed the finding from the biomarker testing. In my opinion it can be done from bloodwork. 🦅

I'm so sorry about your side effects. The waiting and testing is scary. Sending prayers and hugs.

Hi Lyn. If you read these posts - you read my post above. I had a Pancoast tumor in the apex on my R lung pressing on nerves going down my arm and on my chest wall. So I had pain in my chest and down my arm. I thought it was an orthopedic problem but the doctor in the clinic after ruling out it was not from heart problems did a chest x ray and saw a tumor a little bigger than a golf ball on the x ray. Are you saying that the doctors do not suspect cancer ? The doctor did not order an x ray ? You can read more at the site I listed down below. I am fortunate to be a surviv

Kleo I think i will pass on the antibiotics, https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jun/02/cancer-antibiotics-immunotherapy-treatment-study Bob

Thank you for replying. I sorry to hear your mom had a PE. That's so scary. We actually just got some bad news this past Tuesday. Mom's cancer is coming back and spreading more. This takes her out of the study. She now has to start chemo. She is devastated and we are so scared of what comes next. The meds worked for her for about 8 months before she began progressing. I am just trying to stay positive and hopeful. It's hard! I hope your mom is still eligible for the trial. If not remember there is still pembrolizumab (Keytruda). Her doctors will know what's best for her I

Third infusion of Cisplatin/Alimta was on Thursday. Side effects started that same evening. I've had a major headache for the last several weeks that just will not go away & some swelling around my eyes. Doctor has ordered an MRI of my brain (12/20) to make sure it's not metastasized there. When they did the lobectomy, they were unable to get all the cancer & on the TNM scale my M was labeled as X because of unknowns. I've been reading up on this & I see there is a 30%-40% chance of brain metasis & that chemo does not cross over & help destroy any cancer cells getting to th