j ross

Hello everyone On the recommendation of our onc with saw another oncologist. He went through various options but thought that we should give tarceva a try. (As suggested by Ric and Ry}. He said give it a little time. However we are seeing a surgeon to see if surgery may be an option (removal of lung and pluera) oncologist say too dangerous but we will see what the surgeon says. Best wishes to everyone. Jennie

He is an amazing helpful inspirational person and we are willing him better. Jennie

Barry had a very good response to gemzar. The side effects were fairly minimal. A little tiredness and on the fourth treatment some sickness but no too bad at all. Jennie PS Little hair loss.

Just to let you know you are in my thoughts. Jennie

Dear Sharon We were really pleased with the news. I am sceptical when it comes to medical opinions sometimes(due to past experiences). Maybe get another opinion? Jennie

If anyone reading this is interested in forming a UK support network please contact me. Jennie

As I have said before I know people are different but for Barry the chemo was not nearly as bad as was anticipated and the pain went very quickly. After each chemo session we actually had lunch in the local pub. Jennie

Brilliant we all rejoice. Jennie

I am so upset and sad at the news. I cannot come to terms with the speed of her decline. Leslie will be missed greatly. Thinking of Mark. Jennie

I miss her contributions too. Card being sent from uk. Jennie

Wonderful, we need all the good news we can get, Jennie

Wish I could do more than send our very best wishes. We are thinking of Leslie and willing her better from a great distance, Jennie

hello Barry had PE amd had a procedure called talc pleurodesis in May 04 and has had no problems since. Best wishes Jennie

Hello Lynda Barry was also given a dealth sentence by the first oncologist we saw. We sought another opinion and so far so good. Some drs are so out of touch. Jennie

I know that everyone is different but for what it is worth when Barry had chemo is was not nearly as bad as we feared it would be. In fact he felt better afer the first treatment. Jennie

Dear Janet I am so so sorry to hear your sad news. Please accept my condolences. Although I am so far away I am thinking of you and your family. Jennie

Happy things have improved. Think9ing of you. Jennie

Hello Jim If one of us has a set-back we all feel it. This is upsetting but you will once again prevail, Jennie

hello Chris Pluerodesis is done when there is fluid between the pluera and lung. (This is not very technical). Luckily they found there was no cancer cells in the fluid. I believe they seal the cavity so no more fluid can accumulate. (They sometimes call this talc procedure). The only problem is that this area area always lights up on a pet scan due to this procedure so one never knows whether this is tumor or aftermath of procedure. [Hope this is understandable]. The rash was at first unsightly. Now it has cycles of severity although it is manageable. Barry does not like using creams etc. We do ask if tarceva is a option but our oncologist feels that if things are ok they should be left. We have been told by a senior oncologist at a lung cancer centre in London that they have had modest success on switching patients from iressa to tarceva on progression. The main barrier to leading a normal life quite frankly is the worry. Best wishes Jennie

hello Chris My husband is on iressa which is similar to tarceva. He has been on this drug for one year now and is stable (or ned they are no sure which). Side effects have been manageable diarrhea and skin rashes acne. Long may this last Best wishes Jennie

In the uk they tend not to give drugs but to wait until the count is higher or give a transfusion. This happened once to Barry when he was receiving chemo. He had to wait a week (he did not need a transfusion] but treatment commenced the following week. Jennie

Rich This is the news we like to read. Brilliant. Please keep it going. Jennie

Hello and welcome As you can see from our profile Barry's presentation was not dissimilar to your own. He did have surgery and he feels this helped. Good luck Jennie

Hello Nelson We live near London. My hushand Barry was diagnosed 18 months ago. The first oncologist more or less wrote us off. We sacked him. Barry is now on Iressa which I don't think they are precribing any more except for existing patients for whom the drug has been beneficial but you should ask about Tarceva which is meant to be more effective and has been shown to be particularly beneficial for never smokers. Never be fobbed off which I think is a tendency in the NHS. Get clued up on treatments and be very assertive. Barry is currently leading a normal life. He is working and travelling and feels ok. Jennie

Welcome Ayla. My thoughts are with you and your father. Where are you from as I notice you write down dates the European way? Jennie