marym

Hi Donna, Hope we can be helpful with support, information,etc. Mary

Great news! \Mary

Hi, I had a some what easier time and could eat most soft foods in small bites. Liquids were also necessary to take in sips, not mouthfuls. I know it's strange but coke felt better than anything else I drank. But I hear you on the cheeseburger! Mary

Hi, I agree with all. You make the decision and then spend your time making that a decision that works. I believe there are things that can be done to loosen the esophagus - if that is the problem. Remember the choice of radiationwas versus something else undesireable. In my case, I had radiation to alleviate pain. My esophagus was tight for awhile but is now normal. But the pain is gone and that made this well worth it. Anyway, Hang in there. You are just in a new reality and sometimes it stinks. And sometimes you should feel badly and get it out of your system. Then you can get back to dealing with the reality and the good part of it. Hope you feel better and the doctor can find treatment to improve your situation. Best, Mary

I found no problems with the Taxotere. Good luck. Mary

Hi Lilly, I'm sorry you are having such a tough time. I had gemzar and carboplatin. It made me tired and in order toavoid nausea, I took the anti-nausea pills before I felt sick. Usually on day 3. The added benefit is that the anti-nausea put me to sleep. Do make sure you get fluids. I hope it gets easier on you. Make sure the doctor knows how badly you feel. And check that the redblood count is okay. You might need some aranesp. (I actually was transfused twice do to low red blood count and had aranesp every month.) One other thing that made me very tired was low potassium. I had some fluid retention so the doctor prescribed a "potassium sparing" diuretic. In my case, it didn't spare the potassium and I became dangerously low. Good luck Mary

Yes! Congratulations. I suggest that using one of the drugs - chantrex or wellbutrin is helpful. And most doctors are happy to prescribe them. I also agree - you have to be a never again smoker, one puff and the feeling is back. Besides all the other good things from quitting, think of the money you'll be saving. Start a vacation or buy me special fund. Mary

HI Heather, I was diagnosed because of pain in my right shoulder. I had radiation to releive the pain. I was on the gemzar/carbo for some time and never experienced pain as a result. Best to you and your husband. Mary

Hi Con and welcome to the board. I'm so sorry that you had to find us and hope we can offer some support. Please let us know how things progress. Mary

Congratulations. Not only is the habit yucky..it costs a lot of money! Now when tempted to slide (I've been told nicotine is as hard to quit as heroin.) just remember how hard it was to get to here - you don't want to have to go through that again! Good luck. Mary

Happy New Year Donna and everyone! Mary

Hi Bruce, Sorry for your friend. In my case, they did not radiate the lung - only mets. I have been on chemo of one stripe or another since Aug 2005 and am doing well. Best wishes for you and your friend. I think having your "buddy" system is great! Mary

Hi, I think you can experience problems/painduring treatment, although maybe not even due to treatment. Mets can cause pain at any time, and with braain mets that can mean headaches or dizziness,etc. Radiation effects can sometimes be felt 6 months later - usually being tired. I would also have any diagnostic tests the doctor recommends done. There is no pain and they can provide a complete picture. mary

Hi Flo, When I was first diagnosed via XRAY, I was then scheduled for CT chest, Bone scan, MRI - Brain,Abdomen,Chest and Spine. They wanted to understand the full status of the disease. Since diagnoses, I have had one additional abdominal MRI, and several spinal MRI's and regular Chest CT's and Brain MRI's (having had mets, they do an MRI every 3 months.) I would insist on the MRI. Mary

Hi RObin, The magic mouthwash is great. Also, do not use any mouthwash with alcohol. I use the Crest that is alcohal free. mary

Hi Alicia, Welcome. I'm so sorry you needed to find this site, but hope we can be helpful. Best wishes. Mary

Welcome and best wishes for your father's treatment. He needs to get all the rest he is able and the doctors should be able to control the nausea and diahrea. Mary

Hi Tanner, and welcome to the site. I am so sorry finding us was needed. My heart goes out to you and all the families with young children having to cope with this awful disease. I was diagnosed in Apr 2005 with NCSCL IV,(lge upper left lung tumor, mets to brain,spine, clavicle and pelvis). I have had the clavicle and two spine mets radiated and am pain free. I also have had brain mets treated twice with radio surgery (similar to cyberknife). What I can tell you is that I have felt well 95% of the time since being diagnosed. Other than requiring more sleep then usual, I have been well. You can see below what treatment I have recd. I'm now on Tarceva but haven't been on longer enough to see if it's effective, but again, I have very minor side effects and feel healthy. I hope that your wife will be able to handle the chemo without too much difficulty. I do encourage her to make sure she gets any additional meds needed to deal with effects (like nausea,etc). Best wishes. Mary

Hi Trish, I am so very sorry to hear of the death of your brother. This disease can be so unpredictable - but it is good that he had knowledge of where things were at. I cannot imagine being strong enough to deal with this alone and not have my family involved. Although I couldn't do it, I can understand why he might want to spare you the added grief of his imminent death. May 2007 be a hopeful and peacefulyear for you and your family. Mary

Happy Birthday, Sue. Mary

HI, The wait should not result in a turn around on the progression of the tumor. I think the chem is in your system for several weeks. Also, even no change, but stable is a good result, so by all means take minimal. I had low platelets a few times during my first round of chemo (11 cycles). Once I even needed a platelet transfulsion. Between platelets and white counts, there were several 3 week cycles that were really five weeks. I didn't show any growth due to this. Good luck. Mary

Hi, After meetings among my doctors, it was decided to see if I can be treated without WBR for the time being. Although there are clearly 6 mets, they are planning to see if Tarceva combined with another chemo pill might be effective. They will use Radio Surgery for any brain met they feel need to be treated. I remain asymptomatic and feel really well. I am really pleased that my doctors went beyond just the nextstep in the play book. The nureo,radiation and thoracic all got together to decide what treatment I needed. The one item that would change the plan would be a new MRI that shows any additional lesions. That will be done after the holidays - but my plan is NO NEW METS! Mary

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkha, and very best for the New year! Mary

Congratulations. I just found out that my first grand nephew will be born in April. His Dad will be in Iraq, so he wanted to know sex before he leaves. Babies are wonderful! Mary

Hi, I believe that your husband knows the truth. It is not curable, but I do believe in miracles. But having said that, I think the real discussion is that you both can accept whatever decison he makes regarding his care. He may be doing this for you. He needs tofeel it is okay to do what is best for him. I'm really sorry that the treatment he is receiving is so difficult for him. I have had several differnt chemos and am, no on Tarceva and have not had anything like what you describe. I haven't spent more than maybe 2 days in bed feeling ill in the 18 months since I was diagnosed. Can't the doctors finde anything to alleviate his pain? In spite of the difficult time you are both being chaallenged with, I do wish you peace and contentment for the Holidays. Mary