betty boop

I just read about your journey and want to thank you for posting. I am so happy to see long term survivors like yourself. I will be at 4 years in April, so I am so thankful for my health. I do have some nodules on both lungs now but Tarceva is working miracles. Thanks again, would love to hear from others.

Hello, I just wanted to do a quick update for everyone on my cancer journey. It started April 2006. I was 43 years old, nonsmoker who thought I had pneumonia. Surprise, it was IIIB Adenocarcinoma. Went through gemzar and carboplatin and radiation - back for more radiation due to a new tumor, then since May 2007 I have been on Tarceva 50 mg. 75 mg was too much for my system. Anyway, I am still battling nodules growing in both lungs but they are small and not causing any discomfort. Staying on Tarceva until a major change. I just want to encourage you if you are just starting this cancer diagnosis, hang in there. God is still in the miracle business. They told me April 25, 2006 that I had 6 months to live. Here I am with a good quality of life and working, taking care of my family and living with lung cancer. You can do it. I pray for the best for you, if you'd like to talk, just message me.

I have several new nodules and will rescan in April, but I was wondering if just by having a CT Scan of chest and abdomen would it show any bone results? Thanks for your help. Betty

suggestion for prescription meds for scalp: ketoconizole 2% shampoo and Betamethasone valerate lotion usp, 0.1% This has helped me. Betty

Well, I don't have shingles. I have bad case of dermatitis. I guess from the tarceva. I am clearing up with antibiotics and prescription shampoo and a salve for the back of my head. I was so frustrated last week. I know the tarceva is working, but the devil makes it so easy to not want to take the drug. My last check up was good, no sign of cancer so I know that it is doing the job. I have been on tarceva for 17 months now. Betty

I think that I have shingles around the back of my head. I am going to get checked tomorrow, but I am in some pain. It hurts to wash my hair and combing it is very painful. Also, the right side of my face is a little numb feeling. Anyone else experience shingles? I am on Tarceva and my blood counts have been good for quite awhile. Thanks for any info. Betty

Hi Lilly, I have a funny story about work... it wasn't funny at the time but now I look back and laugh at the girl. I had a secretary whose grandmother had just went through breast cancer. So, when I was diagnosed and on chemo she told one of our realtors that she was afraid to go to the bathroom after me since my chemo might cause her to become sterile! I thought I would scream!!! However, I emailed Dr. West and he sent me a speedy reply that said that was crazy and I simply forwarded it to her and the other agent. Never another word! Betty

Anne, Thanks for posting. I read some of your info. Hang in there girl!! Life is tough sometimes but we have to be tougher! I too ache when I am in bed. My knees and ankles mostly. Today not so bad, but I dropped a picture of ice tea last week because of the pain in my right wrist. Is this an over the counter drug? I haven't heard of it. Thank you again, betty

I have been on Tarceva 75 mg for one year and have just started experiencing joint pain. Does anyone have any advice or have you experienced the joint pain and did the doctor take you off of tarceva for this? Thanks for the info! Betty

I too have been battling the thyroid issue. I am on 88 mg of synthroid a day. Seems to be helping now though. I was unusually tired, lost weight and just couldn't function too well. I thought the cancer was back full force, but my gen. practictioner said he wanted to test the thryoid and it was the problem. It took about 1 month of the synthroid for me to feel better. Just recently it took a dip again and I started feeling more tired so they upped the mg. Thank goodness for baby oil. It seems to help with the dry skin and I have to condition my hair daily. It was falling out but it has quit doing that. Didn't lose too much though.

Best wishes on the tarceva. I am right there with you. Been on tarceva since June 07. So far so good.

Just wanted to let you know that we are praying for you and hoping that you will get great results. My scan is Thursday. I'll let you know and I'll check on you and Flo. Betty

Been on tarceva since June with some minor side effects but lately since starting an antibiotic I have noticed that my tongue is swelling. Called my general practioner and he said to change antibiotics but that hasn't changed the tongue swelling. The swelling went down with liquid benedryl...but I wonder if anyone else on tarceva has ever had the same type of reaction. Please let me know if you have experienced this. Dr. West said to ask you all because he hasn't heard of this occuring. Thanks for your input. Betty

Ernie: Nothing is too big for our God. Praying for you buddy!! Betty Cline

Day 10 and my face looks awful. Doc called in a creme for me to use twice a day. Any suggestions from those who have suffered with it????? Thanks, Betty

DAY TWO ON TARCEVA: I feel pretty good, a little nausea yesterday and a little short of breath but overall ok.

Starting tarceva tomorrow. When is a good time to take it, morning or night? Any suggestions from those on it? My original cancer area in the lung is clear just scar tissue, but now the fluid in the upper lobe tested positive with needle biopsy and negative on pet scan so that is why I am starting tarceva and 38 more radiation treatments this week. I don't feel really bad, just a little tired. Please fill me in on tarceva rights and wrongs. Thanks, Betty

I just wanted to share that this time last year I was so sick and now this year I am so much better. Praising God for a miracle in my life each day. The doctors diagnosis of only 6 months to live has passed by and I am doing well. For all who are just recently diagnosed, I just wanted to say hang in there and remain positive. A good positive attitude goes a long way. I am so thankful for life. Betty

I too had carboplatin and gemsvar. It wasn't too bad. I lost minimal hair and handled it well. The carbo made me sicker than the gems. I was usually sick on my stomach about the third day after chemo but antinausea meds helped alot. Ask for meds to keep from getting too sick. You want to prevent as much as possible. I hope all goes well for you all.

I am so glad to hear others have pain from radiation. I have been searching the web for answers. I hurt in my back mostly where they hit me with the radiation. Also I have "a tired back", I don't know how else to describe how it feels. I guess overall I am ok for what cancer has done in my life. Each day I wake up and lay there a few minutes to see if I hurt anywhere! Thanks to others for sharing their radiation pain. betty

I am so sad for you. Hang in there. I will say a prayer for you tonight. Betty

So happy for you. It is great to have this community of friends to lean on isn't it! Betty

Praying for God to give you a lasting peace tonight. Betty

I am so thrilled. Doc says only scar tissue visible now. Yeah!!! God is so good. I know that he has a plan for my life, I have to be brave and allow him to keep working in my life now. Don't have to go back for three months. Everything was clear!! Betty

Thank you for your prayers, sitting here tonight, I can't sleep, we just got back home from the wake around 11pm. We watched family videos tonight after the wake, that was a good thing for all of us. Mom was so sad at one part tonight, she told me that I can't get worse, that I have to live. I just prayed that God would let me live past my parents, I just don't know if they could take losing another daughter. My oldest sister died two years ago and now Charlotte. Thanks again for your sweetness. I loved reading everyones notes. Hugs to all, Betty