CharlieD
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Posts posted by CharlieD
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Thanks for the posts. It's great to have good friends like you guys. It is hard to believe that I feel so good less than 48 hours after angioplasty. Hven't felt this good for a long time. The blockage must have been taking its toll without my knowledge. Can't wait till Wednesday when I can get back to running or the treadmill. Not being able to exercise has really been bugging me.
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Hi Ginny - Congrats on your decision to downsize to a more manageable life. I'm positive that Earl is with you all the way. I say this because this is close to my heart. My biggest concern should I not be able to beat this beast is my wife's ability to manage a big house with a lot of land. We built a big retirement home 5 years ago never thinking something like this could happen. I realize that she, like you, would not want to abandon the wonderful memories and would attempt to hang on but I would want her to do exactly what you are doing, so don't give it another thought. He would be relieved to know you are making life more comfortable for yourself. I'm really confident of it. Lots of luck and hapiness in your new home. He'll be right there with you. Take care and God Bless.
CharlieD
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Had my angioplasty Friday and it went well. Repaired one artery that was 80% blocked with two stents. He used the non-medicated stents thinking that the medication could effect future cancer treatments. Now it's a new CT and off to Roswell Park to see where we are and to determine a course of action. Possibly Tarceva or another chemo. I'll let the experts at RPCI make that decision. Another bridge crossed on this long and winding journey. Best to all of you and God Bless
Charlie E
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Hey TAnn - Sorry to hear the side effects are coming back kinda like Iressa. They are identical to what I experienced except it sounds like the rash was not quite as severe as what I had. The sores were oozing and were all over my head, neck and chest. I sure hope that they let up a bit to be at least tolerable and most of all that it works. That would be a great incentive to tough it out as I'm sure you will. That Clindamycin Gel that my ONC prescribed really helped relieve the pain and after almost two weeks off it, the rash is almost gone but it is still terribly itchy. Hang tough and keep us posted. I'll be back on it in a week or so after the angioplasty Friday.
Beth, sounds like the 100mg is treating you a little better than the 150 or at least thus far. Hope and pray you can hang in there with it and that it works.
CharlieD
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Beth - About the moo-ing. Please don't moo too loud as there are a lot of big ol Bulls out there just waiting
CharlieD
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Hi Nicky - Welcome to this site. It is where you want to be at this point. A littly shrinkage is in the good news category. It could have been no shrinkage or tumor growth. Hope and pray now for more shrinkage or at least stable. I too had a small shrinkage after 6 rounds of chemo, then stable. I was elated. As you read more and more stories on this site you will know what I mean. Hang in there. There is a lot of things that can be done. God Bless.
CharlieD
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My ONC prescribed a "swish and spit", 1 tbls every two hours as needed. It contained Mylanta/Benderyl/Lidocaine, pre mixed. Sounds the same as Mary Ann mentioned. It worked great. It numbs the sores for a while and they healed in no time. Good luck. I know how painful and aggravating it can be.
CharlieD
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I have also used that Udder Cream for dry skin and it worked real well. It was called Bag Balm and it was developed to clear infections and sores on cows udders.
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Beth - So, so sorry to hear the 100 mg is reacting similiar to the 150. It doesn't sound too bad yet. Let's hope and pray to God that it levels out and begins to lighten up a bit. I've been off it for a week now and my rash is clearing up nicely using clindamycin phosphate Gel which the ONC prescribed. It really works well. The sores inside the mouth are also healing rapidly. For that I was prescribed mylanta/benedryl/lidocane mouth wash. It numbs the inside of the mouth and gives immediate relief. The stomach thing is gone and the terrible cough is just about gone also. I should be in good shape to try it again after my angioplasty next Friday. Like Fay I'm ready to withstand a lot of misery if it is trashing the cancer.
I know you have been through a lot so far and hopefully you can hang in there to see how this is going to play out. We are all praying and pulling for you. Keep us posted and God Bless.
CharlieD
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Beth - Great picture, you fox. Hang tough kid. You are an inspiration.
CharlieD
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TAnn - Great news, stable. Beautiful word. Sure hope the Tarceva is good for you. Can't wait to hear the good news on it. These insurance companies and drug outlets are all different in how they charge. My Iressa was $2236 a month and Tarceva was $2659, both with a $9 co-pay. That was with Rite-Aid. Anyway, great news and congrats. I love it when anybody gets good news. Take care and God Bless.
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Hi TAnn - Great news on being stable, the magic word. Hope and pray Tarceva treats you better than it has me, but I am a long way from giving up on it. My ONC said it appeared to have worked for me but the rash and cough were too much. Taking a few weeks off from it and then back with a lower dosage. Hang tough and God Bless.
CharlieD
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As I had posted before, I began Tarceva Dec 24. The rash showed up in a couple days, rather mild at first and then, BANG. As Beth so vividly described all hell broke loose. Huge throbbing sores on my head, face and chest. Severe stomach cramps with diahhrea and the straw that broke the camels back, a horrific cough, almost to the point of convulsions. Took my last one Sat, Jan 1. Called the ONC Monday and he gave me meds for the rash etc and wants to wait a couple weeks to clear this up and continue on a lower dosage. Started on 150, probably go to 100. That will work out since I have angioplasty sked for Jan 14 to fix a partially clogged artery. Wow, what a weekend that was. I was surprised since I handled the other chemo so well. I guess we handle each one differently. Oh well, onwards and upwards. Thought I'd share this in hopes that it may be of some benefit to someone.
CharlieD
4/07/04 dxd stage III/IV B NSCLC Adeno Carcinoma with malignant pleural effusion. 3.5cm mass on right lung with psbl mets to left lung.
5/07/04 began chemo gemzar/carbo.
6/11/04 CT some shrinkage
7/23/04 CT Stable
8/27/04 Last Chemo. Three month break
9/03/04 CT Stable
12/02/04 CT Suspicious
12/14/04 Started Iressa
12/22/04 Off Iressa, started Tarceva (Resulting from manufacturer ltr)
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Beth: Sounds like good news that your heart is OK. Hang in there kid. Keep the positive attitude. Joking about it helps, I know. I also just found out last week I have a heart problem. They found a blockage during a stress test. Angioplasty to insert a stint scheduled for Jan 14. Hopefully I can get the side effects of Tarceva under control by then. Imodium seems to be helping. Tried the Eucerin cream you suggested and it really soothed the rash. Thanks for the tip. I'm looking at this as just another bump in a ridiculously bumpy road. Can't somebody fix this road? I guess it is up to us. HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone of you terrific people. Next year has got to be better.
4/07/04 dxd stage III/IV B NSCLC Adeno Carcinoma with malignant pleural effusion. 3.5cm mass on right lung with psbl mets to left lung.
5/07/04 began chemo gemzar/carbo.
6/11/04 CT some shrinkage
7/23/04 CT Stable
8/27/04 Last Chemo. Three month break
9/03/04 CT Stable
12/02/04 CT Suspicious
12/14/04 Started Iressa
12/22/04 Off Iressa, started Tarceva (Resulting from manufacturer ltr)
This is making an extremely long story, very short
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Wow, what a response. You Guys and Gals are fantastic. I'm glad to hear from some of you that Iressa and Tarceva has worked for some of you. Hope and pray for the same. Thank all of you for the warm welcome and advice. It is comforting.
4/07/04 dxd stage III/IV B NSCLC Adeno Carcinoma with malignant pleural effusion. 3.5cm mass on right lung with psbl mets to left lung.
5/07/04 began chemo gemzar/carbo.
6/11/04 CT some shrinkage
7/23/04 CT Stable
8/27/04 Last Chemo. Three month break
9/03/04 CT Stable
12/02/04 CT Suspicious
12/14/04 Started Iressa
12/22/04 Off Iressa, started Tarceva (Resulting from manufacturer ltr)
This is making an extremely long story, very short
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I started Tarceva a week ago and the side effects have already surfaced. Got a rash on my face and head and diahrrea. Would appreciate any feedback from others on Tarceva. I've read that the rash and stomach problem goes away sometimes and others not.
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Another new kid on the block. Have been visiting this site every day for the past 6 months at least. I have learned so much from the wonderful people that share their stories and I guess it's time to share my story and get involved. My story follows:
4/07/04 dxd stage III/IV B NSCLC Adeno Carcinoma with malignant pleural effusion. 3.5cm mass on right lung with psbl mets to left lung.
5/07/04 began chemo gemzar/carbo.
6/11/04 CT some shrinkage
7/23/04 CT Stable
8/27/04 Last Chemo. Three month break
9/03/04 CT Stable
12/02/04 CT Suspicious
12/14/04 Started Iressa
12/22/04 Off Iressa, started Tarceva (Resulting from manufacturer ltr)
This is making an extremely long story, very short
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Dr Joe - Although I have not personally posted a question to you directly, I have certainly benefitted from your response to others on this site. It is impossible for me to imagine what would incite anyone to degrade you or otherwise criticize your efforts to help others. I think it says a lot about the individual that he/she did not have the guts to post their comments on this site to give the rest of us an opportunity to comment. Unfortunatly, Dr Joe this imperfect world has a lot of cowards that can not stand up and be counted. They choose to hide in the shadows and cast their stone anonomously in fear of being challenged. I hope you will see this for what it is and continue your mission of mercy. All the best to you and your family and hope to see you back. Take care and God Bless.
CharlieD