learning2

I thought it might help me to start a thread and update it periodically regarding my mom, mostly for myself but also in case folks like me come searching for people with similar situations. 
 
Mom had progressively worsening back pain that started in 2015 - the pain got very bad during the summer and after negative x ray they did an MRI and saw what appeared to be metastatic disease in the spine.  Further testing confirmed lung as the primary, and positive for EGFR mutation.  This was in November 2015.
 
She had radiation treatment for her back pain which helped tremendously - she had been taking a ton of ibuprofren multiple times a day and was still in pain.  The radiation has resolved that nearly completely.  
 
She started Tarceva on 11/23, and just had her first follow up scan on January 6 which showed a reduction in her primary site from 2.8 to 2.5 cm!  We are thrilled.
 
She had some nausea very early on but we think that might have been a late effect from the radiation.  She had been very fatigued and nauseous up until just after Thanksgiving but has been gradually feeling better and better since then.  Other than that, she has had some rash and itchy swollen eyes, but nothing too bad so far.
 
I'm so hopeful for a prolonged and continued response!
 
I plan to post updates over time here so just wanted to share our experience so far!  Thanks for this wonderful resource.