Carolyn Flournoy

Diana..... Husband Jim had Carbo/taxol also had bone and joint pain. His would start about three days after infusion and last for about four days. Jim had pain med. but he also took Celebrex you might want to ask dr. about your dad taking Celebrex. They have had good results in clinical trials with Carbo/taxol and Celebrex. It could also help with some of his joint and bone pain. Carolyn

Beth Ann.....My Condolences to you and your family. Carolyn

Cindy....Congratulations on your 4th relay dinner as a SURVIVOR. Glad to see you posting have missed seeing you here late at night. Carolyn

Berisa.....My condolences to you and your family. Carolyn

Carlton....Someone posted a news article about local pharmacies over charging on prescription drugs. Check around at different places. I believe Iressa at Costco was $1750.00 or maybe it was Wal-Greens. Also ask your onc. if he can help you. When Jim went off Iressa the first time, he had 13 pills left over. His onc. ask if he would donate them to one of his patients that needed help. Which of course he did instead of throwing them out. Carolyn

Dear Ginny.....Your new Easter picture looks great. I can see you are full of life. And your post also shows how you still know there's more good to come in the future. I think men have more of a problem with the complications of this disease. They seem to think their manhood is slipping away, when their ability to earn a living, and to show love thru sex is temporarily diminished. Hope you discover the solution with chemicals or without. Earl is lucky you are in his corner fighting for the good life for him. Carolyn

Dear Peg.....So sorry for the loss of your beloved Bill. My condolences go out to you and your daughter. Carolyn

Hi and Welcome to the group....Jim has NSCLC and never had a PET scan. I have asked about a PET scan but the onc. didn't think it was needed. He has a CT chest, abdomen and pelvis with contrast scan about every 3 months. He has had a MRI because of a seizure. And also a bone scan because of pain. The MRI and bone scans were negative. Can't help with WBRT questions. I know someone else will have the answers for you and your VERY special friend. The best to the both of you. Carolyn

Falls54...Think about getting your brother a tape recorder to take to all his appointments. You could even record questions you need answered from the onc. to help with your brothers care. Carolyn

AndreaB.....So very sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. My thoughts are with you and your family, at this very sad time. Carolyn

Lauralou.....The good news here is your husband is getting shrinkage with the chemo that he is on. My husband had radiation after chemo was unsuccessful. The radiation helped shrink the tumors he has and eased his breathing. Sometimes radiation is given to help with pain. If you are not comfortable with your doctor's treatment plan or explanation get a second opinion. Even if you are comfortable get a second opinion. Carolyn

Mo...You can be really proud of yourself. Staying away from cigarettes while under any stress is so hard. Bet your grandson loves the way his grandmother smells now. Wishing you many more months and years smoke free. Carolyn

Sharon.....Great news!!! Now you can relax and enjoy Easter and your family. Carolyn

Ginny.....Glad Earl is going to PT. It helps to have someone else beside the wife to motivate some activity. Jim has the big D too, but no nausea. When does Earl take Iressa in the morning or evening? I read somewhere if you take Iressa at night you will have less side effects during the day. Best Wishes to your sister, Earl and you. Carolyn

Celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary in the wild west Tombstone, Az. I enjoyed the dinners out and Jim enjoyed the traveling and car show. Tombstone is about 400 miles from home so it was a mini vacation. We beat the statistics for 19 year olds getting married. And this site is helping us beat the statistics for lung cancer. Thanks to all,Carolyn

Nushka....Jim was diagnosis with bronchitis in late Jan. of this year. His dr. prescribed Levaquin one pill a day for 10 days. It took at least 7 weeks before he sounded clear even though he felt well. Be patient drink lots of water and get plenty of rest. Carolyn

Cheri.....Jim has been taking med. for high blood pressure for 30 years. Last year when on Carbo/gemzar his blood pressure began to come down. After radiation he ended up in E.R. for S.V.P.T. low blood pressure, high pulse rate. He saw a heart specialist who changed his med. he takes med. just for the high pulse rate now. I would talk to your dad's primary Dr. or see a heart specialist to be on the safe side. Carolyn

Yes, Jim's first onc. was skilled but had poor people skills. He treated the disease but not the person. His office reflected his attitude. Calls that weren't returned just an overall rude atmosphere. We found an onc. that cared about the person he was treating. Jim had a MRI one Fri. with the new onc. on Sat. the Dr. called with the results. The Dr. called from the Pacific Ocean while he was sailing. This happen last Father's Day needless to say Jim is still with this caring Dr. Carolyn

Curtis...So very very sorry to hear this terrible news. My thoughts are with you and your family. Carolyn

I'm so sorry for the loss of your sister. She was always so cheerful and optimistic when posting. Condolences to you, her husband and children. Carolyn

Dani....Jim has been on Carbo/taxol for the last 5 months. His glucose levels were over 300 this past 6 weeks of treatment. Last Monday Dr. had him fast for 12 hours than take blood test. His blood counts are back to normal. His high count was because of the steroids he was taking before each treatment. Best Wishes for your sister. Carolyn

Peg...Saw Ginny's post to you and thought I would put my two cents in. Jim is going back on Iressa. His CT scan last Monday showed progession of disease. He's had no luck with any combination of chemo yet. But he's needs a break for now. Jim also has pain (the dry heaves about once a week) But not as severe as you describe Bill's pain and nausea. Jim has not lost weight and is able to do social things.(no work or activities that take alot of energy)............. ............................ I know Bill already tried Iressa. But if I remember right he did feel well while he was on Iressa. Was told by the onc.'s nurse that the doctor tried Iressa on other patients for the second time after chemo. She said she doesn't know why but after chemo Iressa seems to work better. Bill might give it a try while you search for other options. Carolyn

Jim had a CT scan Monday results today. After 8 rounds of Carbo/taxol with few side effects it was all in vain progression of disease. Will go back on Iressa tomorrow. Iressa the first time around kept his lungs stable. Hopeful that it will keep them stable this time. Jim's feeling well and looks healthy. Last Sunday he rode around in the desert for 8 hours in a jeep. Not bad for someone that's been on chemo for 5 months. Good wishes to you all, Carolyn

David A.... Jim used all the Aveeno products lotion, soap, shampoo. Scalp was the most trouble for Jim. Onc. recommended Scalpicin you can get that at Wal-Mart. It seemed to help. Carolyn

When on chemo your white blood cells decrease putting you at risk for infection. Either my husband or his doctors not treating fever soon enough put him at risk. He ended up with pneumonia one time. Shingles another and yet another bronchitis. Call his onc. ASAP Carolyn