marym

I would say this is very unusual. Call the doctor and see if it can be determined what was the cause. I have not taken cistoplatin, but I have had carboplatin. I can't say pain was ever a part of it - some nausea maybe, Mary

I'm so sorry to hear of this. I hope all is well and will say a prayer for her. Mary

Hiccups can be dangerous. There is a medicine that can be taken. I would contact the doctor and have a presription called in to the local drug store. Mary

Hi Tracy, Welcome. It sounds as though your mother needs to see the results of the most recent tests and then determine the best plan of treatment. It's really hard to say what is or will be for someone since this disease is such an individual thing - same diagnosis, different chemo, same chemo siffert response...it is amazingly individualistic. You need to take care of yourself and family in order to be useful to your Mom. She will have times of sadness and stress, but hopefully lots of good times. Many hospitals offer some counseling for family members. You might ask if your Mom's treatment center has this available or call the American Cancer Society locally. They should be able to assist you in just talking through all the stresses of the situation. And of cours, if the board can be of help, we are glad do so. Best wishes, Mary

Hi, Never used the fentanyl patch but I was prescribed it at one time, in case needed. I was told it can be very tough on the stomach. Once they had radiated the spine (where I had a met), I no longer had any pain. I also had no luck with Alimta. Then I went on to Taxotere. I did the 3 weeks then a week off. I was tired at times, but did not experience any other severe side effects. I did not need a boost for white count, but I had aranesp for red count several times. Results wer no change or minimal change. Now I've been switched to Tarceva and hoping this will have some benefit. Good luck. Maey

Hi, Much of the chemo is gone (drink lots of fluids), but some people do find subsequent chemo's more difficult. My experience was that all my infusions had me feeling pretty much the same, although over 11 cycles, once I vomited. What did seem to build up was my blood's response. By the end of the cycles, it was a guarantee that I would be unable to do week 2 due to low white counts and then week three seemed to have low platelets. Since my first chem, I haven't had difficulty with any other chemo's. Hope it gets easier for your dad. Mary

I saw my doctor and he has put me on Tremador to see if it might have an effect on brain mets. I am also on Tarceva. I have a slight nail infection that has been difficult to get rid of. He decided to take me off the Tarceva for one week and clear up the nail, (all my nails are a mess). Interestingly, he did not prescibe anything, just soak in peroxide. I've had very slight rash as a result of Tarceva and the nail problem. Other than that my reaction to Tarceva has been fine. Now I just hope it works. I've been on 6 weeks, now with a week off - so it will probably be another 3 or 4 weeks before they do a CT. Hoping the Tremador combined with the Tarceva will work. Mary

Good news. I hope this just continues! Mary

Barbara, I'm sorry. You have a right to your emotion. And I know after that, you'll be back in the fight. You have already demonstrated the ability to beat it. I'm just sorry you need to do it again. Best wishes. Msry

Keep it up. You are past the very worst - A year from now you will be so happy! Mary

Hi Heather, I never had chemo using veins, but jist all my initial tests were blowing veins. Request a port. They are inserted under conscious sedation, usually do not cause any discomfort and the chemo becomes a nothing, and they use it for blood as well. Besides not harming veins, the port is connected to a large vein and it might mean chemo can be done faster (not such on this). Anyway, I am so glad for the port and the nusrses find it easier as well. Mary

Missy, That's wonderful news. Babies are such a joy! Mary

Terrie, Congratulations. I plan on saying it again at my 4 year mark. Mary

Kelly, Great news! Enjoy. Mary

Hi Kasey, That's great news. It reminds me that everytime I feel a new ache, I cannot jump to conclusions. Hope 2007 is a great year! Mary

Hi, I'm always so sorry to hear of another patient - and all the people affected by this diagnosis. Hope the board can offer some support for you and your family. Mary

Welcome, I hope we can be of some help - info, support or to just vent! Mary

Hi Max, Sorry the board is a place you had to find, but welcome and I hope it can be helpful. I wish John and you the best. It sounds like the treatment is underway and six treatments are over before you know it. I do know the radiation can be exhausting, and you get a second hit if fatigue months after the radiation. So make sure John gets plenty of rest. Good luck. Mary

Hi, There are many options without being on a trial. Often trials canrestrict you due to the criteria - but the same protocols may be made available if the doctor feels they would be helpful. I have been on gemcitibyne/carboplatin, then Alimta, then Taxotere, and now Tarceva. Haven't had Tarceva check up yet, but there are other options. And I plan on continuing to try these. I do also use pain meds - and have since my first diagnosis. I take 2 30mg MS-Contin daily. No change has been needed, but I have had 3 spots radiated and two stereotactic treatments for brain mets. Have you doctor suggest the next choice and also request that a better option for pain relief. Has a nuerosurgeon suggested the Vertebroplasty to relief the pain? If your doctor is not providing options that are improving the condition, I would definitely look for a new/second opinion. Hang in there ...sometimes it looks bad, but a week later the situation has changed. Best wishes. Let us know how things work out. Mary

HI, I love hearing about a "good" story. As far as Kaiser, I have never used them, but they were an option at one company where I worked. They were very popular and I heard no complaints. That was in No California. I also have anecdotal information on Kaiser in So California as being excellent - as long as you pick your doctors. When I was diagnosed, I was in an HMO with the coverage limit as well as tying me to CA. I was fortunate to have sisters who own a business in NY. They hired me and now I'm covered under their insurance in FL. And the insurance is great. I'm hopeful that no matter what Kaiser offers, you'll find it unnecessy to find new oncologist! Best wishes for continued good health. Mary

Hi, Often people on steroids do gain weight because they tend to make you hungry. You should find things that your monther can tolerate easily and have them frequently. Cheese, milkshakes, ground meat with mashed potato. Use the butter, olive oil,etc. Meals should be frequent, and plenty of fluids. I could afford to lose weight and the doctors insist they do not want any weight loss. (It's a first for me, having a doctor say my weight is good! fortunately, I have had no problem witheating since this journey began.) Good luck. Mary

Hi, I have been on Tarceva for about 6 weeks. I have minimal side effects, except for my finger nails. I seem to bleed quite easily at the sides of my nails and one nail is infected. (I see the doctor Tuesday). I have been trying to protect my hands - but it's difficult. Rubber gloves are fine when using water, but I need protection all day. I plan to look for some thin gloves that I can wear without being unable to use my hands. Has anyone else had this problem? What did you do about it? Thanks. Mary

Hi, Glad the chemo/radiationwasn't too much. The radiationdoes catch up and hit you again later - just being tired. I have the luxury of working part time - at my choice of schedule, from home. But I did find that sleep was something I need more of than before cancer. Not sure if it's the cancer or the treatments. Do try to schedule some extra sleep. And be aware that the radiationhits a second time - for me it was about 2 months after the radiation. Best wishes. Mary

Hi, I agree that you should consider stereotactic radiation. Is your mother having seizures? When my brain mets were discovered, it was not treated as an emergency - in fact they weren't treated for 2 months. (I was asymptomatic). Your Mom should understand what options are available to her and why one would be more beneficial than another. Good luck. Mary

Welcome Lorna, While I cannot relate to all the symptoms you speak of, I also went through a time when the quantity of food I was eating was far less than normal and I had no weight loss. I assumed that the difference in my activity level accounted for it. I also found my self full and unable to eat another bite - and I would say normally, I would be able to eat a good deal more after I had satisfied need. This was not true on all chemo,so it was dependent on what I was on. I think Taxotere and Alimta both caused it. In the 20 or so months since my dx, I have fluctuated about 15 lbs (I can afford this and more, but doctors prefer no weight loss.) I haven't had problems with bad breath or stomach distension, but I have had some fluid retention. Mostly feet and ankles. The doctor/nurse should be able to provide relief for the problems mentioned. Good luck. Mary