Shar

I do sympathize with you and your situation. I went through something similar after being diagnosed. My employer was actually understanding initially, then became truly demanding. After enduring 3 months of chemo I was told if I didnt return to work my job would be terminated. Stupid me returned to work on their conditions - full time, $4500 less per year and in a very demanding job which was different to my previous position. After 2 weeks I left and still not feeling satisfied I sat down and penned a letter to the owner stating how unfairly I was treated. I actually received a response, a wanky one I must admit, but in myself I felt better. I had let them know I wasnt happy with their treatment. You have been through enough, it is time to think of yourself and not of an conceited boss. I wish you luck with it, Sharon

Carleen that is wonderful news!!!! Congratulations to you and Keith and all the best for your procedure. Sharon

Hi, This is my 11th month on Tarceva and I have found not much works at all. I have had a severe rash the whole time and the only solution given to me by my oncologist is to stop taking the Tarceva for a week or two. That is not an option for me, so I grin and bear it!!! When I look at what Tarceva has done for me, then every bit of this discomfort is worth it for me!!! I do hope you find something out there helps and I truly hope success comes with taking it. All the best, Sharon

Wendy, I really hope Tarceva does it thing for you. All the best with it and I'll be thinking of you. Sharon

Sue, I am so sorry to hear this sad news. My heart goes out to you. Will be thinking of you. Warm hugs, Sharon

So glad you are ok Rich. Thanks for the update!!! Sharon

What great news!!!!!! I am so happy for you. Sharon

All the best Rich for a speedy recovery. Will be sending you positive thoughts. Sharon

Hi, I have been taking Tarceva for 11 months now and it has given me amazing results. It really has been a miracle drug for me and I wish you great results also. The side effects have tested my patience, but then again the results make it all worth it. Sharon

Hi, I have been on Tarceva for 10 months now and have experienced more than my share of side effects. It has all been worth it though because of the results. I would check with the doctor if you are concerned. I have called my onc so many times thinking that there is no way I could have yet another side effect, but everytime he tells me that Tarceva is the cause. As he tells me, they themselves are still learning about this drug. I wish you all the best, Sharon

Great to hear from you Mark. Leslie was very special to so many people on here, myself included. I spoke to her more than anyone else on here and I miss her so much. I can't even imagine how hard this is for you, but know that we are thinking of you. Hope to speak to you on here more often. Sharon

You are in my thoughts Fay. What a great spirit you have!!!! Inspiring. Sharon xx

Hi Guys, Just wanted to know if anybody out there has experienced losing their hair taking Tarceva. I have had a mass of sores on my scalp for a few months now, they seem to be healing at the moment but taking my hair with them. As the sores come off the scalp my hair goes with them!! Right now I have two big bald patches and the rest of my hair is thin. My oncologist said the rash on my scalp was severe, but the hair loss was unexpected to me. Just as I think I have all the side effects of this drug worked out something new comes along!!!! The results have been better than I could have ever imagined, but I am curious about this hair thing. Thanks guys, Sharon

I asked my oncologist about surgery and he said that it isn't an option. Even though it appears only the primary tumour remains, the cancer cells are still there, just microscopic that's all. Even the CT scan can't pick them up, but they are still there the little buggers!!!!!!!

Hey all, I received my scan results last week and all is good. There has been no progression at all!!!! All that really remains is the primary tumour which is at 1.5 cms and the rest is just scar tissue. Tarceva has been nothing short of a miracle, it literally has saved my life for sure!!!! I haven't been on here much lately. It just became too sad to read of so many losses. Leslie in particular made me very depressed. I was away on holidays and I returned to read she had passed away. I just could not believe it and still can't. Her and I talked a lot about our experience with Tarceva and she was a great support to me. I also attend a secondary cancer support group and one of our members passed away last week aged only 38. Two other members have only just found out they now have brain mets to fight. We are only a group of around 8, so we all have become quite close. So, with all of my good news there has been a lot of bad news around me. It makes me think of what will happen when Tarceva stops working for me. People close to me think I am mad to think like that, but that is how I have been lately. I thought the only way to combat that was to stay away from here and just focus on me. Maybe that is the way to go, I am still unsure to be honest. Anyway, I still think a lot about the people on here and truly hope everybody is going well. Sharon

Mark, Leslie was a wonderful support to me and I really do miss her. You are in my thoughts Mark, please come back and share with us. Sharon

Thanks Kasey for contacting Mark. I am having a hard time dealing with this, such a huge loss. I keep reading all the PM's she sent me, she was such a positive spirit. Leslie, I will miss you my Tarceva buddy!!!!!! Sharon

This news is just devastating to me. We shared all of our Tarceva stories and I can't believe this has happened so quickly. I am just shocked.

Hey everyone, I haven't been online since I left to go away on Dec 27th and I see there is a lot of sad news to read. This has made me feel very down, I think Leslie's situation has just knocked me about a bit, very unexpected that is. Not sure if I can handle all the sadness anymore, it does create doubt in my own mind about my own situation even though that is going well. Anyway, the holiday was drama filled of course. Lost luggage, insincere people etc, but overall it was a fantastic time. Met some great people and some not so great. Honolulu and Vancouver were wonderful, L.A. was great when I was there a year ago, this time it was horrible. Oh well, you live and learn. Coming from a small place I certainly had my eyes opened as to how low some people will go in life. Now I am back to reality, a scan in a couple of weeks. I had days when I was away when cancer didn't exist for me, those are the days I just love. Now it is stinking hot (about 107 degrees) and how I am aching for the rain and cold in Vancouver!!!! That and the fact I didn't want to leave there in the first place!! So, to all of you out there who are feeling pain right now, I am thinking of you. A lot of you were in my thoughts while I was away, I just tried to imagine no cancer for 3 weeks, so I didn't come online. All the best to all of you, Sharon

Congrats on 3000 Cindi!!!!! You are a wise woman and one of the nicest as well!!!! Sorry my accent is a bit hard to understand, LOL!!!!! Sharon

That is fantastic news, congratulations and have a great Christmas!!!!

Hey guys, Just wanted to let you know that spending 2 days in the Family Court last week was all worth it. As much as my ex tried he didn't succeed in stopping me taking my kids on our holiday. My partner has already travelled to Vancouver, so we will fly there first on the 27th of Dec, meet up with her, then we are all off to the West Edmonton Mall for 2 days of glorious shopping. Then it's off to our ocean front house at Malibu for 5 days and then Hawaii for 5 days. All of the crap was worth it, eventually common sense shone through. It really has been a great year personally. Initially it was a challenge with my progression, but Tarceva has been nothing short of a miracle for me. I really am lucky and I know that. It is never taken for granted, believe me. So, to all of you out there , thanks for all of your support since I found this brilliant and uplifting site. So many of you mean a lot to me. Have a great Christmas and I hope you get all the pressies you wished for!!!!!! Sharon x

There's not much I can say, except I really do hope you guys enjoy the Christmas break. You are both really strong and brave, inspiring stuff. Thinking of you both, Sharon

Wishing everyone on here a very merry Christmas and a very happy new year. I will be thinking of you all, especially the people who are having a hard time of it right now. This is such a great time of the year, real beach weather, I love it. Bring it on!!!! Sharon

Kelly that is the best Christmas present!!!! Fantastic news and have a great Christmas, Sharon