Bob-ellen

Gin, Your news is a joy to read. It's a tonic for the soul. Thanks for posting it. Barbara

That is truly wonderful news to celebrate, Jodi. How joyful that is . Continued blessings are wished for you. Barbara

Malou, You have my prayers for good scans, and successful results all around for Thomas. My husband is on the Alimta, as well. Keep thinking as positive as you are able. Barbara

Malou, I'm glad that Thomas seems to be doing so much better. Bill has been taking in fluids daily since last year to make certain he flushes out any toxins to the kidneys. The nurses over at the infusion room kept drilling that home, constantly. Truthfully, he isn't thirsty much of the time, but taking in the liquids (favorite is green tea, in his case) helps to keep him from dehydrating. Good, fresh water helps to keep away the build-up of chemicals. You are a wonderful support for your husband. That is a blessing. Barbara

Hello Everyone, Thank you for posting the side effects that have been experienced with Alimta. We never realized that the "nose running" was possibly one of them. No wonder Bill has been blowing his nose every day since he began treatment. He noticed it mainly when he went to lie down. The sinuses would drain from one side to the other. This is a relief to realize this. Barbara

Hello Z, My husband, Bill, was on Gemzar/Carboplatin in a 21-day cycle, with the combination, Gemzar/Carbo for the first week, and Gemzar alone for the second. The third week was just a visit to the oncologist, and then it began again. This went on for eight treatments (one was delayed and one was a lower dosage due to blood counts). Bill's blood counts were up and down in a rollercoaster scenario for most of the time. He required Neupogen injections and Procrit, as well. However, he completed the entire regimen. He also needed a blood transfusion (2 bags) during the latter part. He felt fine during all the treatments. There was some burning at the injection site, and some swelling, but it was not major. The final result was not very much change or stability, but progression with a neck lymph node that was problematic and causing discomfort. Our oncologist changed regimens, and Bill is presently on Alimta. The neck nodule has shrunk and cannot be seen visibly. The neck discomfort has disappeared. The main side effect on Alimta (for Bill) has been fatigue. Hope the regimen goes well for you, and that you have success. Chemotherapy drugs are noted for working well for some, holding things stable for others, and being of no help to a certain number. Checking the drug site for each is very helpful as to possible side effects, and the like. It gives a "heads up" on things and can aid in being forewarned. Hopefully, some day soon, there will be pretesting as a norm to ascertain the viability of one drug over another for each person, so that there will be less "guess" factor involved. Barbara

Dear Lucie and Don, I was so glad when I saw that you posted an update on how things are going with Alimta for Lucie. I think of you both often. It seems that the fatigue is part and parcel of this particular regimen for many. So far, Bill has been finding that it occurs two days after treatment, and lasts for about four days. He had his second Alimta treatment last Wednesday. He has experienced no naueea, as yet. Perhaps, the anti-nausea meds they give him on the day of treatment are helping? He also eats small amounts as snacks during the day which (who knows?) might help. On some happy news, Bill's neck nodule has dimished greatly. I cannot discern it on looking, and it began doing so about a week or so after his first Alimta treatment. The oncologist felt it and concurred with our perceptions. We will know more in future how this treatment is actually doing when CT scans are eventually taken. Both of you are in my daily prayers, as are all on the LCSC Board. I may not visit here often to post, but I do try to read and keep up with reading the postings. Sorry if this was long, but wanted to let you know that Bill is currently experiencing the same chemo regimen, and knowing how another is doing is sometimes helpful. I know it helps me to share. Barbara

Char, That is very, very good news. Shrinkage is one of my favorite words. STABLE is another, and NED is wonderful, of course. May this shrinkage continue, and give your Dad, and all of your family even more reason for positive attitudes. Prayers are being said for all of you. Barbara

Joanie, There is the chance that you may need to find the "right" med for depression. Depression is often a normal outcome when we have faced a traumatic experience. Lung cancer is no small potatoes - physically or emotionally. I have shed many tears over the past months, but have been able to bounce back. However, there were many times in my life when a heavy experience stayed with me for a very long time. Perhaps, your doctor and you can find the med that will help you. Sometimes, it takes a while to get the right "mix." Barbara

Carleen, You and Keith are in my prayers for Keith's acceptance into the clinical study in Switzerland, and for a successful outcome to that. Hope you hear from them very soon. As for the fatigue that Keith is experiencing during the Alimta regimen, my husband is experiencing the very same effects - nothing with the jaw/teeth area, though. Bill began the Alimta treatment last Wednesday, January 25. The fatigue set in on Friday, and he has been "tired" every day since. Yesterday, Saturday, he was active during the day, but took a very long nap. It seemed to give him "some" energy, but not back to old self yet. This is unusual for Bill, as he has always been quite active and has had the energy level of a much younger age. He still is, but it can be seen that he is "pushing" it. I will try to post any side effects as we go along. Many blessings are wished for all here. Barbara

There is a certain tolerance of things I would never have imagined, more patience, more acceptance, as well - much more aware of the moment in which we are, and ready to take time to "smell the roses" whereever they are. Each day has become a gift. Barbara

Hello Bill, My husband (also a Bill) went through the radiation last year, and had the throat swallowing problem, as well. He was given the "Magic" thing, and had it on hand, just in case. Most of the time, sipping his tea (room temperature - couldn't take hot or cold) helped a great deal. Softer foods became the norm, and he arrived at the other end of the chemo/radiation regimen looking and feeling fine. As with your attention to your care, he knew that he had to stay nourished to help with the treatments. If he had needed to take the magic throat thing, he would have taken it, without question. Improvement was seen when the radiation ended. He returned to more regular eating as time elapsed after the regimen. He has felt so much better in the ensuing months. Barbara

Hello Irisheyes, The news of the shrinkage is very good, but I understand the concern about your Dad's not eating is worrisome for you. We have found over the many months of going to chemo/radiation and the like, that having a voice in the regimens, health issues, speaking to doctors and/or nutritionist within the healthcare team is vital. Hydration was so very important during the treatments. Of course, eating was especially difficult when the radiation affected the swallowing, and softer foods had to be ingested. Eating smaller but more frequent meals seemed to do the trick. As has been suggested by others, the "power drinks" were a great help in keeping Bill from losing too much weight, especially at the beginning of his chemo regimen last year. He had initially lost over 30 lbs. It was scary for us to see him so thin, but he has gained much of the weight back, and looks very well now. Barbara

Dear Jim, As a caregiver/newcomer, I read your post with hope. It's wonderful to read about successful treatments.

Dear Don and Lucie, I don't visit here often, but when I do, your posts are models of "stick-to-itiveness." You have also given me support in one of my posts in the past. It was a very supportive help to me. Thank you. That aside, my husband, Bill, will be starting Alimta this coming Wednesday. He had completed the Gemzar/carboplatin regimen with scans showing STABLE on everything, except on a neck nodule. So, the chemo regimen which had begun in October will be now continuing, but this time with Alimta. As with you, we are entering this with hopes that Alimta will work for us toward a successful outcome with little or no untoward side effects (it's the list those "possible" side effects in the readouts that scare us mostly). You and Lucie, will be in my daily prayers for a successful outcome. Carleen, you and your husband will be in my thoughts and prayers, as well. Barbara

Tina and Carleen, Thank you for the input. It is really good to have someone help with advice and their own experience. Tina, I believe that the oncologist will probably revisit the radiation possibility if this regimen doesn't do the trick. It's good to know that it will still be a viable treatment. Carleen, Thank you for your telling me about your husband's node. It gave me hope. It eased my mind. As for the Alimta, the more I know and read, expecially as you've noted, others have been put on it, the more confidence I have. Thank you both for supporting me in my anxieties, and taking the time to detail the information. Barbara

Hello once again, Sorry to have taken so long getting back to you regarding the shoulder pain as it pertains to scan evidence. We had the CT scans done last week. We received the results yesterday. It seems it was a transient pain probably something he did with his arm, and wasn't a negative indication in that regard. However, yesterday was the consultation with the oncologist about the recent Gemzar/carboplatin regimen and the CT scans taken last week. The results were that everything (all spots) were STABLE, except for the neck nodule, which is still there and not shrinking. The doctor said that he wants to initiate a different plan. He decided on Alimta, beginning next week, and thereafter 1x every three weeks. (Bill received a B12 injection yesterday, Procrit, and a prescription for B12 tablets. Those are to ward off side effects [blood issues] of the Alimta.) The oncologist said that he would rather not radiate the node now because of the resulting side effects re swallowing, mouth problems, etc. I don't know the first thing about Alimta, save what I've seen on the Internet in those drug info sites. It sounds a bit scary and clinical. I knew of anyone who found success with it for lymph node involvement, or even anyone who has something to input on it regarding its use. There is much gratitude for all you told me last time I posted, and it gave me support while we waited for the eventual "picture" to unfold. It was very helpful in keeping my thoughts on an even keel. Thank you all for supporting me through this trip. We're hanging in there, albeit by tenterhooks. Barbara

Sorry, I sent that without noticing the date on the post. Must be senioritis. Anyway, one more congrats is good, and one more prayer in the bundle is, as well. Barbara

Congratulations and many more good years are wished for Joel. Prayers are being sent for wonderful scans, as well. Barbara

Debbie, Congratulations to you and Alan on his one-year survival. I know the feeling well. My husband just reached his one-year since dx in December. May you both enjoy many more years. I second the motion on the "tilting of the elbow ," and a toast to wishes for a cure - or reasonable fact simile - soon. Barbara

Beth, Please add my prayers to the list. I will keep your Dad in them each day. You have not received good news, of course, but knowing what the problem is can, hopefully, result in better outcomes. Barbara

Janet, I was visiting this board, and wanted to record my deep condolences among all the others. You are in my thoughts. Barbara

Mary, I am holding good thoughts for you while you wait. My husband, too, has been knocked down recently, a bit in his blood counts, during his present chemo. We, also will be awaiting scans soon to see if the chemo is working. We're keeping our hopes up there for good results for all of us who are in the "waiting mode." Barbara

Thank you all for your thoughts on the shoulder pain. Hopefully, it will be the met to that area building up something good - like dead necrotic cells. Am I a dreamer? The pain patch seems to be an idea that might work. Presently, Bill has been taking a mild painkiller for the node in his neck that posed discomfort. That node, on looking at it from the outside, doesn't seem any larger than it was, but it had posed a discomfort to the region around that side of the face, especially since the colder weather. My mind gets full of things, and having verbalized them to the oncologist, has made me feel that he knows what to do on the next step. At least, he has said that he would change venue. Actually, coming to this board and putting it all into words has made our relating all of the concerns easier when we talk to the doctor. I hope that makes sense. All of your input gives me a better perspective, too. It's very valuable. I appreciate it, and read every one of the posts and keep them in my collective thoughts. I'm sure the scans are going to be crucial in the decisions made as to continuing this regimen. On the one hand, I think maybe we want to see the scans to get to whatever we need, but on the other - we don't. What a ride! Barbara

Kasey, Thank you for asking about the shoulder. The situation is one of trying to find out if the pain Bill experienced is a pain from something untoward, or a natural part of having done something with the arm/shoulder area. He is a guy who works around the house on projects, so you never know what muscle he could have pulled. In any case, we will know more when the doctor orders the scans. Hopefully, whatever they show it will put us in a good direction. Thank you all for your prayers. I keep everyone one in mine. Barbara