[Gamma Knife Side effects?]

I felt fuzzy for about a week after my Gamma Knife procedure, but I had significant brain swelling. Also ended up having nine lesions treated. Then two weeks later a large patch of hair started falling out from my head. I now have a 3 x 4" bald spot in on the side of my head, but fortunately my hair had grown back enough from chemo where I can do a combover. It's just annoying to be finding my hair all over the place again.

[Pain in hip]

At one point my oncologist told me that sometimes a bone scan will show things that might not appear in a PET. I was lucky in my case that the PET scans showed my bone mets. I think the downside to a bone scan is that it just shows areas of abnormal growth in the bones, so something unusual looking doesn't necessarily mean cancer. Degenerative changes also show. Still, I hope your mom can get a bone scan as well and hopefully clear up what is causing her pain.

[What can I do to help my father]

I pray that your father responds quickly to radiation. In the meantime, he should definitely pursue a different pain medication. There are so many out there. I had significant hip pain from bone mets and finally oxycontin did the trick for me.

People are living longer and longer with Stage IV lung cancer. Please don't let your dad give up hope.

[Right lung/shoulder pain]

Thank you so much for your responses. I ended up having a CT scan today and it turns out I have a small blood clot, which is the cause of my pain. I also have significant compression in my right bronchial tube, which is worrisome for the cancer growing. My doctor is sending me for a bronchoscopy next week to find out for sure. Geez, so far this year it's been one setback after another, but I'm hopeful that once I get this cough cleared up I will finally be on the mend. I was so lucky to have my first year of the battle be relatively easy.

[Aaron]

Julia,

I am sooo sorry to hear about Aaron. Just from reading his posts you could see what a strong, funny, likeable person he was. I wish there were words to say that didn't sound lame when you're facing such grief. Many hugs and prayers for you.

Lori

[Right lung/shoulder pain]

Just wondering if you all could share your chest pain experiences with me? I have been suffering from a pretty severe cough for the last month or so, but all of a sudden today I woke up with severe pain in my right lung/shoulder area. It hurts more related to movement than it does to breathing, but it does still hurt quite a bit when exhaling during a cough as well. I am hoping that the sudden onset is just indicative of a pulled muscle, but of course am worried that it's something more dire. I will be calling my doctor in the morning, but was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

Thanks so much.

Lori

[Col's Brain MRI]

So glad for your good news!

[Update on Aaron]

Hi Julia, I don't post much on this board, but read often and am definitely keeping you and Aaron in my prayers. I hope that the spine tumors respond to radiation really quickly so that you can get into a trial soon! I'm on the path to a trial myself and am very hopeful that it holds the answer. I hope that Aaron can get rid of the pain quickly and get on the road to healing.

Lori

[Migrain-like headaches on Zometa and/or Avastin?]

Hi there,

Has anyone had any issues with migrane-like headaches and Zometa and/or Avastin? I have had 3 debilitating headaches in a month's time where the only relief was sleeping it off.....they even caused me to vomit. I have no history of migraines and feared brain mets, but thankfully a stat head CT came back clean. My oncologist has chalked it up to migraines and has prescribed me beta blockers to prevent any further instances. The onsite pharmacist at the practice said that both drugs can cause headaches, but they're in conjunction with flu-like symptoms. I was inclined to blame the Zometa, since that is new to me this fall, where I was previously on Avastin for 6 months with no side effects. Just curious about everyone else's experience!

Thanks!

Lori

[WBR]

Hi Aaron,

I'm praying that your WBR zaps the cancer and gives you minimal side effects.

Lori

[Chemo Again:(]

I don't have any experience with Alimta, but from what I read it doesn't sound too too bad. I think all chemo sucks, but I think at least Alimta is hair sparing.

I'm so sorry your scans didn't show better results. What a roller coaster ride this disease is. Praying that Almita knocks it all out.

Lori

[If somebody can help me]

I was diagnosed at Stage IV one year ago and I feel better today than I did back then. I'm probably in better shape too as I try to get to the gym 3-4 days per week. My advice is to try to put that label in the back of your mind and just try to rejoice in your relative good health. No one knows how much time they have...even people without lung cancer...

[A Year Like No Other]

I always end up smiling when I read your posts. Here's hoping you have many more years of admiring that orchid!

Lori

[TracyD Update]

I came on here just to see if Tracy had posted an update. I'm so glad the Alimta is working!! Thanks for the update!