rvillella
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Posts posted by rvillella
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Snowflake;
You have been a beacon for me through alot of my treatments and stuff. Your the stuff hero's are made of. Congrats on the 5 years and here's to many 5's more.
Ralph
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I was on Alimta for a sshort time. It was to hard on my body and put me in the hospital for a week. Don't let that worry you though my ONC says some people can't handle it. I had less trouble with the carboplatin/taxol cocktail for the first line of treatment and know a few people who couldn't handle that. I hope Alimta works for you. It's supposed to be a good drug.
Ralph
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Debi
I know the feeling. Sometimes I forget that life is for the living and letting things like the c word get me down shouldn't worry me. Some sliding backward is usual. Just like when I quit smoking. Took a while and I still get the urge sometimes but I fight it and win.
Ralph
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Thanks Rich
I love it when the members here remind me to fight and look forward to the future. I don't ask how long I have because I don't care what the medical community thinks and you are a good example of that.
Ralph
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Don't really think I made a dramatic change. I do know that I now look at life as a gift and the people in it as my angels. I eat what I want. I just don't don't overindulge anymore.
Ralph
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Michele
I was diagnosed with COPD with chronic bronchitis prior to my diagnosis of lung cancer. The one thing I do know is that the COPD in my case makes it a little harder to breath when I exert myself. Look at my profile at the end of the reply and you will see what I have gone through with this. I am now stage 4 because of brain mets and am off all medications as they don't think it will prolong my life any. The people here have lots of experience with the ins and outs so ask away and I will put your dad in my prayers.
Ralph
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I was in extreme pain because of the same thing. They finally gave me some magic mouthwash which helped me get food down without alot of pain. Before that I lived on soups and milkshakes. I had to stay away from bread because it was to dry.
Ralph
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Way to go Tom. Keep on fighting.
Ralph
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While I was on Tarceva the only thing that worked for me was Hydrocortisone. The rash didn't go away until the Tarceva quit working. So the rash is a good sign. It does get better but the end result is tarceva working.
Ralph
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Great news Geri. Always good to hear.
Ralph
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I am still working on my life story. It is coming along. Mostly random memories right now but that just means I'll have to organize them some more. I still believe that I am going to be around for a while longer, and as long as there are things to accomplish I will be.
My wife and I have had dogs and cats since we got married. The oldest dog is 4 Yrs old and the youngest is one and a half. Well they decided that they didn't like each other very much the other day and got into a fight. Long story short the youngest got her but whipped and a torn cheek. Stitches and all. We were so worried that it would happen again we called a local woman that trains dogs like the dog whisperer. She came out over the weekend and worked with the dogs for a couple of hours and then taught us how to work the dogs for obediance. Here's the big thing. I have always wanted to be able to take my dogs for a walk without them pulling me down the road. I have not been able to do that since I lost my Lung. Now the trainer gives us these new collars that don't allow them to pull but also doesn't choke or hurt them if they pull. It is remarkable. I took all three dogs for a walk (separately of course) over the past few days. I can walk at my pace with them and they get exercise. I'm in heaven being able to do this.
Finally, my step daughter is pregnant and due in March. There's another reason to live. I want to see my wife become a grandmother (since she always teases me about my 6 grand and step grandchildren). Now I can have some fun.
Take care one and all, keep the faith and know that the mind is capable of enormous feats. That's why I know I living Longer.
Ralph
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Went to the Onc on Thursday and had an x-ray of the lung. Tarceva has run it's course and the doc feels that there is only palative care left. I feel really good, not like I have cancer or anything. I think I'm going to live for quite a while still. I've decided to try and write my life story for the Kids. That should take me a couple of years and then I can think of something else to do.
The wife wanted me to decided on a big familiy christmas or not but I can't see this one as my last yet so I'm not pushing it. It's really funny how when you know that it isnot going to get any better that you don't worry so much about the rest of the stuff in life. I'll keep you all up to date on my health and what I'm up to. If I miss any of you may you all have a beautiful holiday season and many more to come.
Ralph
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I have to apologize to all of you who watch out for my posts to make sure I'm still going. And yes Connie B I am one of the hiding survivors. I forget things really easy after the stroke and by the time I get around to remembering it I'm doing something else. Gets me in trouble with the wife alot because I forget what she asked me to do. It has been hectic here. We bought a house and got all moved in finally. Pretty ambitious for a man with cancer.We are out of the city now and in the country. Nice and quiet with lots of room. My last set of blood work showed my hematacrit up to normal. The doctor was pretty impressed.Cat scan of the head shows some swelling on the brain so it's back on steroids. Don't know if the cancer is back there or just a side effect of something else. The lung tumors are holding stable as of the last x-rays. Will get some more next week and see if the Tarceva is still working.
Hope each and everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving and that your blessing continue on through the Holiday seasons and beyond. We fight the good fight, sometimes we win and somtimes we lose but no one can say we didn't try.
Ralph
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Hello all;
I let it get by me this year. I've survived 2 years with this nasty thing in my body and plan to go many more. I am now on Tarceva and have the rash to prove it. I had a small stroke at the end of August hich messed up my balance and eyesight. It's hard to see the letters on the computer or on paper. I'm getting around it but it is stilll rough. I can't drive anymore so I'm stuck at home. The Onc called in hospice because they are afraid I'll fall or have another stroke and no one will be around for hours. Since my wife works I guess it's a good idea to have someone look in on me. I wish every one well. I'll try to post more often but it is difficult when you have a hard time seeing the letters on the screen.
Ralph
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And the neweest one of all from the TV.
Why are they called cookies.
Why aren't they called Bakies instead of cookies? You don't cook them you bake them.
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Yeah I was going to put a word up there that might have gotten me a slap on the wrist but right now I just don't care that much. I took the first infusion in the third week of July and now it's time for the next one and I don't even feel ready for the thing.
Called and left a message for the doc to call. I'm going to see if they won't put me in the hospital for this next go around. This stuff has really kicked me in the Any of you alimta users with some suggestions let me know before my wife goes through with the threat to shoot me soon, and put me out of her misery.Ralph
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Well the Onc called and wants me to start Alimta on Wednesday. The spot on the lung has increased and he wants me to start right away. This poor guy has to tell me every time that he doesn't have good news for me but he doesn't realize that my wife and I know what is going on with me. When the cancer starts growing again I get tired and have a hard time breathing no matter where the spot is in the lung. Along with the WBR and the last round of radiation on my lung I just haven't had a chance to slow down and now I get to do this. He's worried because he keeps telling me that this is just pallative and to prolong my quality and quantity of life. He doesn't know that I am going to beat this one and the next and any others that come my way. Hopefully Alimta will have the same results as it has given others on this site. You all take care. I'll let you know how the first infustion goes.
Ralph
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My Doctors constantly remind me that I am being treated Pallatively and that they can't cure me. What is funny is my wife and I both know this and the Oncologist that we see now can't really deal with his patients dying. Although they never give me a time frame I am almost 2 full years out from the first round and fought 2 others this year and may have one more to fight. Don't let the numbers fool you. You may get the magic bullet and live to a ripe old age.
Ralph
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Well on the 6th they did the MRI for the brain tumors. The Rad Onc seems to think it was a little early to do it but it does look better than the original. Still some swelling but not enough to cause concern. The Lung is a little different. I saw the Med Onc, Poor guy really doesn't know how to pass on bad news. The other tumor is still there in the lower part of the lung and the other one looks dead but he isn't quite sure. Had another Cat today and will know sometime next week or so. He has a trial going on that he is trying to see if I can get into. It is with Alimta, Gemcitibine, and Taxol plus some vitamins.He says even if I don't get in the trial he will be going with Alimta anyway. The only other problem is now I am getting dizzy and nauseous and have been tossing my cookies when I get hot.
Ralph
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For some reason the doctors from Duke and the VA seem to feel that there is a chance of seizure or eye trouble. Haven't had any of the normal systems but they are still afraid of the medical/legal aspects of me having an accident because of the radiation.
Ralph
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Amen
Ralph
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I completed the Whole Brain Radiation last month and had a follow up last Friday, just waiting on the results of the MRI. I asked the Rad Doc how long I would be stuck not able to drive or anything and their answer was not for quite a while. Have any of you out there gone through this? And if so how long were you unable to get behind the wheel? I feel so useless when I can't even take my wife's car to get the oil changed or to have it washed. It's the little things in life that you miss.
Ralph
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Great News Don. Keep up the good fight.
Ralph
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Carol;
Two years and many more to go. Congrats!
Ralph
Called and left a message for the doc to call. I'm going to see if they won't put me in the hospital for this next go around. This stuff has really kicked me in the 
Just too young...
in LC SURVIVORS
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Snowflake;
As one of those who helped me through this journey so far, I'm just tickled pink at the results. I'm praying that it continues and each scan is even better than the last. Rock On.
Ralph