recce101

Wow, Carole, that did it to me again! I remember writing something like that to Rachel about a year ago, and now I hear she is gone... Ned

Yep, scanxiety is a strange one. I didn't have it for my May CT, but have a feeling I will for the next one, not yet scheduled. Part of it is not wanting to have to come up with a new story to tell people, not so much here but to local friends and acquaintances. Will be watching for your update! Aloha, Ned

Ken, that's absolutely terrific! Much Aloha, Ned

The maximum number of characters for the signature block has been reduced considerably from what it was before. What you can do is put all of that information in a new post in the "My Story" section, then put a link to it in your signature block like I've done. Aloha, Ned

Lynn, you're definitely on the right track, and you've received excellent comments from some of our best and brightest. I'm glad that YOUR welfare was added to the discussion, because the welfare of the caregiver is often overlooked, especially by members of the spouse's family. It's not that they're being insensitive -- it's just difficult to comprehend the unrelenting stress of the caregiving role until someone has walked the walk. Much admiration and Aloha, Ned

Hi, Linda, welcome to the group. It sounds like your dad is responding well to chemo, and I hope his next scan bears that out. The closest I've been to Indonesia is Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. We'd be interested in hearing more about you and your family. Best wishes and Aloha, Ned

Welcome and Aloha! Ned

Hey, you guys, cool it already, 'cause you're doing it to me! I don't normally wear mascara, but my SPF 50 sun blocker stings like mad! Aloha, Ned Seriously, I know exactly what you mean, and I feel it too.

What a wonderful daughter you were and are. Thank you so much for sharing. Aloha, Ned

Hi, Bette, welcome to the group. I'm originally from Texas -- grew up in West, a little town on Interstate 35 just north of Waco, and went to college in Denton -- but I've lived in Hawaii since 1972. In about 2 months I'll be at the 2-year point, then it'll be time to start worrying about 3 years! It's always something... Aloha, Ned

Hi, Laurie: I'm sending you a Tarceva side effects article I'm planning to post on cancergrace.org -- it will be in a Private Message, so check the link just under Profile towards the top of the screen. If you have any more questions after reading that, you can either send a PM or post a question as seems appropriate. You should be getting it in a few minutes. Aloha, Ned

Definitely yes. Except my problem is in the fingers instead of the toes, and either one can be plenty bothersome. Click the link in my signature block below for more details. Also, here's an article with Q&A from OncTalk (now incorporated into GRACE -- Global Resource for Advancing Cancer Education) -- at cancergrace.org): http://onctalk.com/2007/12/07/lacouture-rash-mgmt/ That OncTalk article also references an EXCELLENT panel discussion on these issues here: http://www.cmediscovery.com/EGFR/index.html Let me know if you have any more questions on this relatively infrequent Tarceva side effect. My dermatologist freely acknowledged that he hadn't treated a Tarceva patient before, so we explored some of this stuff together. Aloha, Ned

Hi, welcome to the group. Maybe I can help with your questions, but keep in mind that I'm just a very involved patient and not a doctor or research expert! Any particular chemo drug is most effective in the early weeks of treatment, before the cancer has been able to mutate and become resistant to that drug. After a while, the drug begins to lose effectiveness, yet the toxic effects on the body continue to build, and there comes a time when a particular treatment causes more harm than good. Here's an OncTalk article on that subject (OncTalk has now been incorporated into GRACE -- Global Resource for Advancing Cancer Education -- at cancergrace.org): http://onctalk.com/2007/01/17/duration- ... ng-cancer/ Therefore, if a second line of therapy becomes necessary, it's generally better to try something that hasn't been used before -- something sufficiently different from the first treatment that it's unlikely the cancer has developed a resistance to it. With a number of chemo regimens, the standard program is one infusion every 3 weeks, and the side effects follow that 3-week cycle with some noticeable ups and downs. With some patients, especially those in a somewhat weakened condition or those who will be receiving radiation as well as chemo, it's easier on the patient to smooth out the ups and downs by giving a weaker infusion weekly. I believe the total effectiveness is about the same, but of course there are more office visits involved which add up to more inconvenience for the patient and greater costs. So if there's no good reason to even things out with weekly treatments, the 3-week schedule is generally preferred. Notice I said "generally," since there may be some oncologists who prefer the weekly schedule for the majority of their patients. Aloha, Ned

Patti, it's good to hear that you're now being taken seriously. But we still have the question of what's causing the swollen feet? Guess there are no simple answers. Aloha, Ned

Stable -- I love the sound of that word! Aloha, Ned

Hi, Laurie, welcome to the group. While everyone is different, and some do have a difficult time with Tarceva (rash, diarrhea, and/or fatigue), I'd say that on the whole it has a better effectiveness versus side effects ratio than about anything else out there. I've been on it close to 9 months, and now that my skin problems are under control I find it easy to tolerate. There's some info in the "my story" post (the link below), and I'd be glad to send you more first-hand details. Best wishes and Aloha, Ned

How do you spell 9-1-1 ? Ned

Renate, I would simply choose not to believe that neurologist who said the neuropathy could only get worse. Many of us have proved otherwise, and why should yours be different? He should have had a "maybe" or two in there somewhere. When yours does get better, do you think he will apologize? I doubt it, but "maybe" he will. Thanks to Randy's work I noticed for the first time that Ernie had used acupuncture for his neuropathy. Previously I had only been aware of the supplements he had used. Since you've used acupuncture before and seem to be comfortable with it, I think it's worth checking out for your neuropathy. Aloha, Ned

Great news! Very happy for you both. Aloha, Ned

Leave it to me to be the odd one. I'm left handed, right lung, BUT tend toward being left brained. Though I think the two halves have melted together here and there. Ned

Hey, Will, this is a remarkable story! You have lots of wisdom packed in here, and it's a great example of how knowledge, attitude, and the determination to be a full partner in one's own treatment can really pay off. So how are you feeling right now? Planning to go back to work anytime soon? You should put a link to this post in your signature block so anyone reading your other messages can find it easily. Click on Profile above, scroll down to the Signature block, paste in this link and anything else you'd like to say... http://lungevity.org/l_community/viewto ... 141#360141 ...scroll down further, ensure Always attach my signature is marked Yes, and click Submit at the very bottom. Aloha, Ned

Hi, Vickie, welcome to the group! Best wishes and Aloha to you and your husband. Ned

Gee, Sandra, I had the opposite impression, maybe because mine is in the right lung. The right lung is larger and consists of 3 lobes, while the left has only 2 lobes with the heart taking up some room near the middle. Does that mean it's more likely to develop cancer? I don't know, but probably not. It's like saying that a twin-engine airplane is twice as likely to have an engine failure as a single-engine plane, and I'm pretty sure that's not true. Though if a lung has to be removed, it IS more debilitating if it's the right one, since that comprises more than half of one's breathing capacity. Ned

Hi, Phil, welcome to the group. Let us know when you get more information. Best wishes and Aloha, Ned

Maryanne, I'm so sorry to hear this. Losing a pet after so many years can be just as traumatic as losing any other family member, though in a different way. One thing that makes it so hard is that at this point their lives are totally in our hands, and I think they know that and are trusting us to do the right thing. There's no question that you are, but that doesn't make it any easier. After we put our precious golden retriever Hannah to sleep in February 2007, we first said no more pets, but it wasn't as simple as that. The longing for the unconditional love of a furry companion was just too strong. On my afternoon walks, I'd frequently encounter dogs being walked, and if it was a golden with a friendly-looking human attached I'd make eye contact (with the dog, of course) and exchange strokes and licks for a couple of minutes that would make my day. My wife was worse -- she'd be driving to the store, see one, stop the car, and run across the street calling "may I pet your golden?" It's amazing how things came together for us to get Rosie in March 2008. Our Aloha, Ned