Peachy

Hi David in Chicago. I was talking with my oncologist recently about bone mets. She mentioned that Zometa is very successful in treating them. She has one gentleman who has been treated with Zometa for over a year and is doing well. Although I don't have bone mets, I have brain mets, I like to keep abreast of treatments. Peachy God bless you.

Thank you all for the information. Your information is very helpful to me. I am currently in my second round of Alimta and find it pretty easy to tolerate, except for the fatigue, that is. Kerry , I'm happy that your mom did so well on it. I can only pray that I will be as successful. Does Alimta have a poor effect on the liver? Peachy

The Gemsar turned out to be too strong for my sensitive body, so on the second infusion, my oncologist cut the strength by 20%. That was much better. I had six rounds, which shrunk my lesion considerably . I also has some burning at the site of the infusion. A hot pack relieved this discomfort. I hope this helps. God's blessings. Peachy

Hi all, I am due to begin a regimen of Alimta. I just finished a 6 round regimen of Gemzar and Carboplatin followed by a 5-week rest period. I wonder if those of you who have experienced Alimta would please share your experiences with me... side effects, effectiveness, etc. Thanks Peachy

Hi Anne, I was diagnosed in March, 2007... stage IV with brain mets, via a routine CT Scan. I had asked my doctor for an X-Ray in 2005. Nothing showed. Two years later, I read that an X-Ray really is not a credible tool for lung cancer diagnosis, so I asked for a CT. There it was! A 3 cm lesion in my left lung and mets on my brain. When will doctors learn that the patient is more important than saving money for insurance companies? Had I had the CT in 2005, it probably would have been diagnosed at a much earlier stage and I could have had the surgery. It's been 16 months since my diagnosis. Every day is a blessing. I feel really great after 6 rounds of Gemcidabine and Carboplatin. I am now stable. My lesion has shrunk to 4 cm. It was up to 7. I had whole brain radiation for the brain mets. These have since disappeared. God bless you. Keep up the fight. A cure will be found! Peachy

Yes, I have had involuntary exhalation. It started as little "puffs" as I would call them... tiny little puffs of air that would come from my lungs and out my mouth. No one knew what I was talking about. The doctors all frowned at me. Now the "puffs" are greater. They happen very infrequently, but I still get concerned.

Dear Barbara and Bill, We are happy that you are here with us on this site. You provided so much valuable information on the "other" site. I read most of your postings. Congratulations on a positive report, Bill. Please do not shorten Bill's medical history, as it provides a wealth of information for both veterans and new comers to this site. I find myself comparing my own history and treatment to that of others to gain insight, information, and answers to my questions. I have had 10 treatments of WBR which eliminated my 4 brain mets. As of my last brain MRI, they have disappeared. Although, I find that my memory and choice of vocabulary are not as acute. Again, we are so glad that you are here with us. You and Bill are an encouraging and inspirational duo!!! Peachy

Judy, Where in Florida is the MDACC located? Peachy

Hi Everyone, I live in New Jersey and have decided to retire in July and move to Florida. My two sons live there. Does anyone have any information about the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida or the Morton Plant hospital in Clearwater, Florida? I would appreciate hearing about any experiences, doctors, treatments anyone has undergone at either of those two facilities. Thanks, Peachy

Bruce, Wishing you a successful Chemo infusion. My prayers are with you. Peachy

I culled this from the LCA Survivors Community - http://lungcancer.clinicahealth.com/topics.pl Thought some in the Detroit area might be interested. Peachy BREATHE 2007, a lung cancer medical and advocacy conference this Fri. Nov.30 in the Detroit area, will feature and attract world renowned physicians and speakers, including Dr. Deborah Morosini, sister of the late Dana Reeve, Lung Cancer Alliance president Laurie Fenton Ambrose, and physicians from the Karmanos Cancer Institute, Cornell Weill, the Mayo Clinic, Harvard medical school, and other institutions. Conference co-organizer, Sammi Hawkins of the American Lung Association of Michigan, says the $25 advocate or $75 medical professional fee will be waived for survivors and family members who register. For more information, contact Sammi Hawkins at (248) 784-2017 or shawkins@alam.org, visit http://www.alam or see description below. Please forward this to anyone who might benefit. Thank you. -- Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. More than 60 percent of lung cancer patients have never smoked or quit smoking decades ago. About 70 percent of patients are diagnosed at a late stage and only 15 percent will be alive within five years. The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and the American Lung Association of Michigan find these statistics alarming and unacceptable. That’s why on Friday, Nov. 30, during National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, both organizations will host BREATHE 2007 Lung Cancer Medical and Advocacy Conference. The all-day conference will bring experts together as well as patients and patient advocates to network and learn more about lung cancer advances both in treatment and in advocacy. Medical sessions will be geared toward physicians, nurses and other medical personnel. Advocacy sessions will target patients and those affected by lung cancer who want to make a difference, advance the knowledge of this disease and advocate for more research funding to support early detection for lung cancer. WHEN: Friday, Nov. 30; 7 am Registration. Conference 8 am–3:30 p.m. WHERE: The Ritz-Carlton Dearborn, 300 Town Center Dr., Dearborn, Michigan WHO: Keynote speaker is Deborah Morosini, MD, sister of the late Dana Reeve and board member of the Lung Cancer Alliance. Other medical experts include: John Finn, MD, Karmanos Cancer Institute; Shirish Gadgeel, MD, Karmanos Cancer Institute; Claudia Henschke, MD, Cornell Medical Center; James Jett, MD, Mayo Clinic; Bruce Johnson, MD, Harvard Medical School; Gregory P. Kalemkerian, MD, University of Michigan Health System; Patricia LoRusso, DO, Karmanos Cancer Institute; Harvey Pass, MD, New York University School of Medicine; Kenneth Rosenzweig, MD Memorial Soloan Kettering;John C. Ruckdeschel, MD, Karmanos Cancer Institute; Manuel Valdivieso, MD, Karmanos Cancer Institute; and Antoinette Wozniak, MD, Karmanos Cancer Institute. Other advocacy experts include: Thomas V. Angott, Sr., survivor; Carol Christner, Karmanos Cancer Institute; Laurie Fenton, Lung Cancer Alliance; Lori Hope, author; Lori Kondas, American Lung Association; Ed Levitt; Mickey Redmond, survivor and Detroit Red Wings Alumni; and author and advocate Gayle Zinda.

Yes, this is very helpful. Thank you. I will let you know if I am to proceed with this regimen. I think my oncologist said carboplatin and not cisplatin??? I will meet with her again next week and will let you know. Thank you again for your support. Peachy javascript:emoticon(':roll:')

Hello everyone, Has anyone had courses of carboplatin and gemzar? I am beginning this chemotherapy shortly and would like to know how well it is tolerated and the side effects. Also, any tips about how to cope with the side effects. Thanks, Peachy

The Lung Cancer Alliance is offering lung cancer public service announcements (PSAs) by major sports figures... Troy Aikman, Joe Buck, Cal Ripken, Jr. Visit this URL to view the videos. They also offer audio only announcements. http://www.lungcanceralliance.org/press ... media.html I have sent letters to major tv networks as well as our local networks making them aware that these 15 and 30 second videos are available for network use. Peachy

Thank you for that valuable insight. I am certainly making an effort in my township as well as those surrounding me. However, I think it would be great if the major networks received letters from all over the country requesting that they not overlook November as Lung Cancer Awareness month. Thanks again, Peachy