Oceanna

Do you go to any of the Virtual MeetUps? They may be just as helpful and not as time-consuming. I know from personal experience - this cancer, past cancer, parents' cancers, parents dementias -- how all-consuming the research can be. It has taken me a long time to learn when is enough.
While I enjoy research, it can get overwhelming, and you want something left to give to your Dad (which I am sure you are, but we want you around, too, for a while). I've made a very conscious effort to reign myself in and stick to what I went there for in the first place!!  Ifr something carries me away afrom the target and over yonder, I'll bookmark it and return to it another time (or not).
Frankly, much of what I'm researchng these days are procedures or info I've heard about at these MeetUps or from guest  speakers, etc..
Sometimes we feel even more obligated when it's not about us, but about a parent or sibling. I did that with my parents ailments in their later years, too. My suggestion is relieve yourself from being the doctor, but get to know enough that you feel you can ask the right questions. And try support groups, as you are doing.

Do you go to any of the Virtual MeetUps? They may be just as helpful and not as time-consuming. I know from personal experience - this cancer, past cancer, parents' cancers, parents dementias -- how all-consuming the research can be. It has taken me a long time to learn when is enough.
While I enjoy research, it can get overwhelming, and you want something left to give to your Dad (which I am sure you are, but we want you around, too, for a while). I've made a very conscious effort to reign myself in and stick to what I went there for in the first place!!  Ifr something carries me away afrom the target and over yonder, I'll bookmark it and return to it another time (or not).
Frankly, much of what I'm researchng these days are procedures or info I've heard about at these MeetUps or from guest  speakers, etc..
Sometimes we feel even more obligated when it's not about us, but about a parent or sibling. I did that with my parents ailments in their later years, too. My suggestion is relieve yourself from being the doctor, but get to know enough that you feel you can ask the right questions. And try support groups, as you are doing.

Do you go to any of the Virtual MeetUps? They may be just as helpful and not as time-consuming. I know from personal experience - this cancer, past cancer, parents' cancers, parents dementias -- how all-consuming the research can be. It has taken me a long time to learn when is enough.
While I enjoy research, it can get overwhelming, and you want something left to give to your Dad (which I am sure you are, but we want you around, too, for a while). I've made a very conscious effort to reign myself in and stick to what I went there for in the first place!!  Ifr something carries me away afrom the target and over yonder, I'll bookmark it and return to it another time (or not).
Frankly, much of what I'm researchng these days are procedures or info I've heard about at these MeetUps or from guest  speakers, etc..
Sometimes we feel even more obligated when it's not about us, but about a parent or sibling. I did that with my parents ailments in their later years, too. My suggestion is relieve yourself from being the doctor, but get to know enough that you feel you can ask the right questions. And try support groups, as you are doing.

Do you go to any of the Virtual MeetUps? They may be just as helpful and not as time-consuming. I know from personal experience - this cancer, past cancer, parents' cancers, parents dementias -- how all-consuming the research can be. It has taken me a long time to learn when is enough.
While I enjoy research, it can get overwhelming, and you want something left to give to your Dad (which I am sure you are, but we want you around, too, for a while). I've made a very conscious effort to reign myself in and stick to what I went there for in the first place!!  Ifr something carries me away afrom the target and over yonder, I'll bookmark it and return to it another time (or not).
Frankly, much of what I'm researchng these days are procedures or info I've heard about at these MeetUps or from guest  speakers, etc..
Sometimes we feel even more obligated when it's not about us, but about a parent or sibling. I did that with my parents ailments in their later years, too. My suggestion is relieve yourself from being the doctor, but get to know enough that you feel you can ask the right questions. And try support groups, as you are doing.

I am NSCLC stage IV and will be having a tumor removed from iliac very soon. I am considering ablation; 10 treatments of conventional radiation; high dose focused radiation over 2-3 days; and, low on my list, chemo again. I am just becoming familiar with these options -- most of which I learned from Lungevity (!) and its bloggers, and need some input, comments, knowledge -- anything that anyone's got. Also, I've heard of "CyberKnife" and am wondering if that is just a form of high-dose that can be done by other brands. I am very grateful for all I learn on these blogs. Thanks for being here!!
(i think i also posted this at 'radiation treatment' forum?)

ps. Welcome!

ps. Welcome!

You may not know yet, but you might ask which chemo drugs oncologist plans to use and why those particular ones. I had chemo and radiation at the same time; 6 weeks radio to chest area (so it impacted my throat a bit and made it difficult to eat) and weekly chemo throughout. The 'chemo combo' used for me was carboplatin and taxol (Paclitaxel) and I weathered it fairly well. The side effects will subside once you're done.  I did not lose all my hair. It thinned but I could tie it up and no one ever knew (not that it mattered!).The various chemo drugs are categorized; for example, Taxol is a "Mitotic Inhibitor," aka plant alkaloid, according to the ACS. The ACS has a good overview of the drug, the categories, and how they work, but not necessarily how they'll affect you; everyone is different, depending on age, etc. I'm 68 and gardened throughout the 6 weeks, though it did take its toll with some fatigue; just had to take it slowly but getting out and exercising, i think, saved me. A good balance, of course, depending on your situation, is usually recommended.

ps. Welcome!

You may not know yet, but you might ask which chemo drugs oncologist plans to use and why those particular ones. I had chemo and radiation at the same time; 6 weeks radio to chest area (so it impacted my throat a bit and made it difficult to eat) and weekly chemo throughout. The 'chemo combo' used for me was carboplatin and taxol (Paclitaxel) and I weathered it fairly well. The side effects will subside once you're done.  I did not lose all my hair. It thinned but I could tie it up and no one ever knew (not that it mattered!).The various chemo drugs are categorized; for example, Taxol is a "Mitotic Inhibitor," aka plant alkaloid, according to the ACS. The ACS has a good overview of the drug, the categories, and how they work, but not necessarily how they'll affect you; everyone is different, depending on age, etc. I'm 68 and gardened throughout the 6 weeks, though it did take its toll with some fatigue; just had to take it slowly but getting out and exercising, i think, saved me. A good balance, of course, depending on your situation, is usually recommended.

You may not know yet, but you might ask which chemo drugs oncologist plans to use and why those particular ones. I had chemo and radiation at the same time; 6 weeks radio to chest area (so it impacted my throat a bit and made it difficult to eat) and weekly chemo throughout. The 'chemo combo' used for me was carboplatin and taxol (Paclitaxel) and I weathered it fairly well. The side effects will subside once you're done.  I did not lose all my hair. It thinned but I could tie it up and no one ever knew (not that it mattered!).The various chemo drugs are categorized; for example, Taxol is a "Mitotic Inhibitor," aka plant alkaloid, according to the ACS. The ACS has a good overview of the drug, the categories, and how they work, but not necessarily how they'll affect you; everyone is different, depending on age, etc. I'm 68 and gardened throughout the 6 weeks, though it did take its toll with some fatigue; just had to take it slowly but getting out and exercising, i think, saved me. A good balance, of course, depending on your situation, is usually recommended.

You may not know yet, but you might ask which chemo drugs oncologist plans to use and why those particular ones. I had chemo and radiation at the same time; 6 weeks radio to chest area (so it impacted my throat a bit and made it difficult to eat) and weekly chemo throughout. The 'chemo combo' used for me was carboplatin and taxol (Paclitaxel) and I weathered it fairly well. The side effects will subside once you're done.  I did not lose all my hair. It thinned but I could tie it up and no one ever knew (not that it mattered!).The various chemo drugs are categorized; for example, Taxol is a "Mitotic Inhibitor," aka plant alkaloid, according to the ACS. The ACS has a good overview of the drug, the categories, and how they work, but not necessarily how they'll affect you; everyone is different, depending on age, etc. I'm 68 and gardened throughout the 6 weeks, though it did take its toll with some fatigue; just had to take it slowly but getting out and exercising, i think, saved me. A good balance, of course, depending on your situation, is usually recommended.

thanks so much!

THANK YOU to those survivor stories, especially you, Tom. It has given me hope.
This is my first time at a blog, so bear with me!!
I have stage IV, NSCLC, adenocarcinoma (non-squamous). I had (robotic) wedge resection in Jan 2020; spots outside of lung area appeared by end of year. In Jan 2021, had regimen of chemo (carboplatin and Taxol (plant-based)) and radiation (another doc - long story - recommended Carbo & Alimta); followed by immunotherapy (Durvalumab) that I stopped this week. Original spots (hilar area, etc) shrunk but some new ones appeared around ribs/chest area and lower boney area (illiac, sacrum and acetabulum) by end of 2021 (while others DISappeared).
Biopsy last week on iliac spot showed it is adenocarcinoma; genetic testing on original specimen showed two mutations, for KRAS & TMB. Path forward recommendation is targeting KRAS with sotorasib (brand LUMAKRAS) that received FDA accelerated approval last May 2021.
I have a million questions and am looking for forums, especially, re:
These targeting drugs (especiallu sotorasib/Lumakras)
Stage IV cancer
Nice to meet you all!
 
 
 
 

THANK YOU to those survivor stories, especially you, Tom. It has given me hope.
This is my first time at a blog, so bear with me!!
I have stage IV, NSCLC, adenocarcinoma (non-squamous). I had (robotic) wedge resection in Jan 2020; spots outside of lung area appeared by end of year. In Jan 2021, had regimen of chemo (carboplatin and Taxol (plant-based)) and radiation (another doc - long story - recommended Carbo & Alimta); followed by immunotherapy (Durvalumab) that I stopped this week. Original spots (hilar area, etc) shrunk but some new ones appeared around ribs/chest area and lower boney area (illiac, sacrum and acetabulum) by end of 2021 (while others DISappeared).
Biopsy last week on iliac spot showed it is adenocarcinoma; genetic testing on original specimen showed two mutations, for KRAS & TMB. Path forward recommendation is targeting KRAS with sotorasib (brand LUMAKRAS) that received FDA accelerated approval last May 2021.
I have a million questions and am looking for forums, especially, re:
These targeting drugs (especiallu sotorasib/Lumakras)
Stage IV cancer
Nice to meet you all!
 
 
 
 

THANK YOU to those survivor stories, especially you, Tom. It has given me hope.
This is my first time at a blog, so bear with me!!
I have stage IV, NSCLC, adenocarcinoma (non-squamous). I had (robotic) wedge resection in Jan 2020; spots outside of lung area appeared by end of year. In Jan 2021, had regimen of chemo (carboplatin and Taxol (plant-based)) and radiation (another doc - long story - recommended Carbo & Alimta); followed by immunotherapy (Durvalumab) that I stopped this week. Original spots (hilar area, etc) shrunk but some new ones appeared around ribs/chest area and lower boney area (illiac, sacrum and acetabulum) by end of 2021 (while others DISappeared).
Biopsy last week on iliac spot showed it is adenocarcinoma; genetic testing on original specimen showed two mutations, for KRAS & TMB. Path forward recommendation is targeting KRAS with sotorasib (brand LUMAKRAS) that received FDA accelerated approval last May 2021.
I have a million questions and am looking for forums, especially, re:
These targeting drugs (especiallu sotorasib/Lumakras)
Stage IV cancer
Nice to meet you all!
 
 
 
 

THANK YOU to those survivor stories, especially you, Tom. It has given me hope.
This is my first time at a blog, so bear with me!!
I have stage IV, NSCLC, adenocarcinoma (non-squamous). I had (robotic) wedge resection in Jan 2020; spots outside of lung area appeared by end of year. In Jan 2021, had regimen of chemo (carboplatin and Taxol (plant-based)) and radiation (another doc - long story - recommended Carbo & Alimta); followed by immunotherapy (Durvalumab) that I stopped this week. Original spots (hilar area, etc) shrunk but some new ones appeared around ribs/chest area and lower boney area (illiac, sacrum and acetabulum) by end of 2021 (while others DISappeared).
Biopsy last week on iliac spot showed it is adenocarcinoma; genetic testing on original specimen showed two mutations, for KRAS & TMB. Path forward recommendation is targeting KRAS with sotorasib (brand LUMAKRAS) that received FDA accelerated approval last May 2021.
I have a million questions and am looking for forums, especially, re:
These targeting drugs (especiallu sotorasib/Lumakras)
Stage IV cancer
Nice to meet you all!