Rower Michelle

Thanks DFK 
your optimism is contagious. Let’s just replace Covid19 with your contagion 
Grahame

Good to hear Tomm
Interestingbfor me is now after #3 I can report that I immediately on way home feel like my allergic conjunctivitis becomes more noticeable and I get flitting and fleeting areas of itch in differing areas of body. Seems consistent and only for the immediate post infusion couple hours. Fatigue usually most noticeable Wednesday following Friday infusion. Mild dry cough and mild aches in muscle and joints when 1st mobilise in morning. Described to my wife “ like Tin man in Wizard of Aus” but am in  NZ 
Grahame

Hey Barb, 
Wallow in the NED news....so gawd darn awesome. Confirmed, confirmed, confirmed! Did I mention confirmed? Have an uneventful #22, and continue walking on sunshine.
Take Care, DFK
 


 

Well here I am waiting for #22. Saw the onc. She also states CTs are better than PETs and she’s not worried about it. Asked her how will we know if I get to NED. “I consider you NED and you are all scar tissue”. Woohoo 

No uptake= No cancer, as far as I was told. My PET on Wednesday, great results, clear, so I'm good for another 6 months check with PET. So I am going to live it up! At home, with my compromised lungs until the Corona virus is in the rear view mirror! So now is clear= NED? Thanks Kate

Look out peeps! Kate was’t kidding when she said she got her Irish up!   Go Kate go! 

Barb- that totally sucks!  Aside from the appeal process you might want to call the Department of Insurance or your Senators.  They despise insurance companies and are happy to advocate on our behalf.  Plus it’s another way to get out this frustration.  😡 

So ticked off right now. Insurance denied PET again. Said unless CT is inconclusive won’t approve a PET. So now it’s another CT to be scheduled. How are you supposed to know if it’s dead or spread somewhere else without a PET?

The entire family feels Opal’s loss.  Thank you for letting us know.  When Opal is returns to the group, we’ll all be here with open arms.  
Michelle

You didn’t miss anything.  DFK and I received a PM from our JG with an update. 
Opal posted a request for prayers as her husband was admitted to the hospital at the same time she was having scans.   
I think the best way to support Opal is to find the best Jersey style pizza and eat at least two slices.  She’ll be back to the Forum when she’s ready.  
 
 

You didn’t miss anything.  DFK and I received a PM from our JG with an update. 
Opal posted a request for prayers as her husband was admitted to the hospital at the same time she was having scans.   
I think the best way to support Opal is to find the best Jersey style pizza and eat at least two slices.  She’ll be back to the Forum when she’s ready.  
 
 

Sorry- Jersey Girl. It was too early in the am to type out the full word.  Sorry about that.  Maybe get some soft serve ice cream too.  

You didn’t miss anything.  DFK and I received a PM from our JG with an update. 
Opal posted a request for prayers as her husband was admitted to the hospital at the same time she was having scans.   
I think the best way to support Opal is to find the best Jersey style pizza and eat at least two slices.  She’ll be back to the Forum when she’s ready.  
 
 

The entire family feels Opal’s loss.  Thank you for letting us know.  When Opal is returns to the group, we’ll all be here with open arms.  
Michelle

Good Sunday Morning to all,
A philosophical post this morn......a little sadness, a little spiritual joy, intermingled with this journey called life. Allow me this time, with words, to express what is on my mind. The Durvies know me, so it is here where I will post and release the "Cracken" of my thoughts. It's also dedicated to Rower Michelle and Eagle 13.....read on. 
Recently, my bff of some 50+ years lost his partner Bill of 35 years, to cancer. They were gay and during the turbulent years of the 80's with HIV, panic and fear made them hide their sexuality, their coupling. It was a difficult time, the 1980's, as beautiful young men and women were dying in droves and there seemed to be no end or resolution to the HIV virus and crisis.
At the time, I was doing home health nursing in Hawaii. It was not unusual for gay couples to bring their entourage of friends with one dying friend to celebrate their last days in paradise. I was the nurse who went out to their luxurious vacation homes or condominiums on the beach, infused their "HIV" medications and gave them new IV packs of morphine to control their pain. 
I was tasked with visiting my HIV patients on an 8am-4pm schedule. Receiving the HIV infusions usually ruined the rest of the day for my patients so there were times when I broke the rules and would schedule a visit at night to allow my patients a "free" day of vacationing. Of course these night time visits included some blackmail as in providing me with a delicious home cooked meal or a nice new haircut and do, followed by a mai tai or two. Despite all this sadness around dying, you try to find some light and humanity.
Bill and my friend were not high risk and they weathered the HIV storm and lived a good life until Bill's diagnosis of Cancer. He passed within 18 months of diagnosis. Those 18 months were pure hell for my friend the caregiver and Bill, the patient. Bill was in treatment, suffered thru numerous hospitalizations and indignities. In came the hospital bed and wheelchair and daily dressing changes and doctor visits and social workers pushing to Hospice and hurried doctors. A world turned upside down. 
I asked my friend how I could help and he denied needing any help, he was taking care of business. His emotional grief was held at bay In lieu of pragmatic necessities and I honored his request. 
Last night I learned of Opal's  (our fellow Durvie) husbands passing last week Sunday. His body had succumbed after four years of living with Pancreatic Cancer. It got me thinking (as you can tell) about a myriad of things. Most of all, I thought about how much Opal has to contend with and it made me sad. Like the sadness I felt caring for so many HIV patients and my friend who cared for Bill. You are able to help the patient as their needs are direct and most times, solvable. But my feeling of helplessness and empathy to help those that are left behind stay with me, ever present.
We all know how much processing has to take place, the utter shock, the waves of grief, a new life to navigate. Somehow, our friends and family navigate thru all the challenges and like Cancer, our lives are never quite the same. And like cancer, it's a solo journey of navigating thru OUR uncharted waters. 
Thank you Opal for trusting me with your heart, your feelings and inviting me into your canoe. You will do almost all of the paddling alone,  but you know you have a team that will be there as you steer, guiding and supporting you on your new journey. You are loved.
Let me also relay that Opal's last scan was reported as stable, next check in 3 months.
Take Care, DFK

 
 

Hi Polly it's good hear your on your way with Durva and your killing your cancer. I look at side effects as part of the battle going on in your cells with the Chemo and radiation still in the fight and now getting help from Durva. It's OK for you to call your Doc anytime you have a worry and he-she may have some help for you & or ask here and someone may have an answer.
keep us posted and drink lots of water
"I have a lot of growing up to do. I realized that the other day inside my fort."

Thank you so much to Eagle 13 and to DFK, inspiring and uplifting messages, needless to say! I believe I had a bio marker EFGR and it is no, if there be any others I am all ears! And thank you Eagle 13! Hey its hard enough to be diagnosed with stage 3b lung cancer, then to have Doctors that tell you....We aren't expecting a miracle, and looks like you have one or two years to live was really the worse thing a Dr could possibly say! Well I am a firey red head ( back in day) lol and now I got my Irish up again, and with God willing we will show those former Drs Just what I am made of! I'm not going to worry, worry is useless, and I continue to be grateful for each day! You are all  in my prayers and with all the prayers coming around I can't lose! Thank you again, and I will let you all know what happens with PET SCAN when I know! Kate7617 

Kate 7617- You had mentioned once before my optimism and I appreciated the compliment. I don't know if it's my optimism or plain old stubbornness that has gotten me this far in life.....But I do soldier on in the face of adversity and tackle each problem individually as best I can, as best as the resources available affords me. That is really all we can do. When diagnosed, I studied the standards of care and knew that I was among the droves who would get Chemo-radiation followed by Durvalumab. What I did NOT understand was all the twists and turns that came from that simple treatment plan. Naivety, trust and and a little bit of the doe in the headlights got me through some tough times. I also was too busy pretending to be healthy attending to family and friends, as I told no one of my cancer diagnosis but my husband and two sons.....it remains that way today. Was it my stubbornness that refused to believe in any other outcome but NED and there was no need to involve others in what I perceived as a temporary set back? Who will ever know.
Please give yourself credit and lots of it for fighting the fight. I might have mentioned it before but my girlfriends dad at 84 is 7 years NED after only chemo and radiation. I'm sure there are many other survival stories that may not be on social media. Always, and I mean always remain  hopeful, there is no other alternative. I have cancer and there are varying statistics as to my outcome, but I will always remain hopeful that my cancer will be controlled or arrested to afford me to live a little longer each and every month, each and every year. Pick your battles, draw up your game plan and go girl go. As my son loves to tell me, "Focus Mom, focus".
Freaken scans are the worse, you want them to validate no more cancer but you also know there's the other side of the coin, which by the way, we all know takes up 99% of our frenetic energy. Monday will come soon enough, you have a few days to watch a favorite movie, or have lunch with a girlfriend or take that long neglected bubble bath. You are alive now, and that is a very good thing. I send my prayers to you for peace and good results. 
By the way, Opal should be chiming in soon about her scan results.....inquiring minds want to know.
Take Care, Blessing, DFK
 

Request a biomarker test.  It can be done with a blood draw.  Depending on the results you may match with one of the targeted therapy drugs like Tagrisso.  Durva didn’t work for me.  I was biomarker tested and prescribed Tagrisso.  I have been on Tagrisso for ~18months now with no progression.  
 
Never forget the power of prayer! 🙏🏻
 
🦅

Hi all. #21 done Thursday. Blood work ok. Just a little tired so made myself be lazy all weekend. Don’t know what it’s going to be like mentally after this is done. 

#23 done last thrusday, blood work in normal range.. just some fatigue on the day.
Barb ... how was your #22? Hope your doing well.
Money talks. But all mine ever says is goodbye

Opal-Prayers and positive vibes for your scan.
Michelle and Ron-Reading your posts about Alk+ was like having a Sunday coffee on my deck with you two. Very nice.
Take Care, DFK

Hey Ron-
Good to hear from you.  I know you’re probably active on the ALK FB Page, I’m the lurker with ALK here.  Just a thought on the disability/retirement. I filed for disability and didn’t regret it. I received a list of key phrases from a disability attorney for my doctor to document in my medical record.  Wasn’t a fun process and the private employer sponsored disability insurance company did send at least two private investigators to keep an eye on the house (ugh).  
Social Security was a piece of cake in comparison. 
Alectinib kills my energy too while the scale increases 1 1/4 Lbs per month.  As Bob says Que Sera Sera.   Hope to see you in Denver this summer.  
Michelle

BC Joe, If I remember correctly that is what my Onc/Rad doc told me, there was slight shadow n could be scar . I don't know how they know. Im on way to get scan and meet with him now. If I find the answer I'll let you know. Finger, toes and eyes crossed for good results.
Best wishes for continued Durva treatment.
Opal
 

Michelle – I had remembered that you were also ALK+ but that you don’t do FB. I do routinely read the 5 to 10 posts a day on the ALK Positive “private” Facebook page that has almost 2000 members. It is quite an active page and very “international”. It’s very informative, sometimes to a point well above any possible comprehension by a non-medical person such as myself, but it is interesting to hear about what the various standards of care are in other parts of the world. Just in the past few days there have been posts from people in Russia, Sweden, Malaysia, UK…and the list goes on and on. The Admins of the FB page are quite knowledgeable regarding ALK+ NSCLC and several have direct contact with the countries top Oncologists and Researchers.  Since you mentioned the ALK Summit in Denver this summer, yes I am considering going. I would certainly like to hear what Doctors such as Lin, Lovly, Camidge and Shaw have to say on current research. There is also talk about having discussions on ST and LT disability as well as Medicare, etc.
Yea I kind of figured that the Insurance company that handles my employers LT Disability Program would be difficult to deal with and that I would see strange cars parked outside from time to time. Plus part my company's program is that you also have to apply for Social Security Disability at the same time, and appeal it if denied, and then they deduct what ever you get from Social Security from what the Insurance company pays out. It all sounded like a big hassle.
I was planning a road trip out to El Paso anyways to visit an elderly cousin this year, and although Denver is not quite in the same neighborhood (but it is in the general region), I may just add a week onto my trip and attend the Summit first and then spend a few days in the Rockies as well as stop by Pikes Peak on my way south to El Paso from Denver. I’ll probably make my decision on how my health as well as my CT results are in March and then again in early June, but at the moment chances are good that I’ll be there. 
Sorry to the Durva group for this off topic posting!
Later - Ron