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hopeful?

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  1. Thanks for all your much appreciated replies. I do see my onc once a week and was told any fluid would show up on a scan and is not. Is this as you all believe it to be? I should have also mentioned that I am on oxygen 5 liters 24/7 and still having this dificulty. Thanks also for the Dr. West Suggestion. I will also pursue that. April
  2. Hi Sandra, I do not have much too offer but wanted you to know I understand how difficult this is when you have children. I am struggling with how much of a burden I have become on them and that though they never complain should not have to deal with this and am also not sure how much further I can be at home and have them witness the inevitable. It has just been such as roller coaster for me, good day, bad day, good day, etc. I don't know when and how to make this decision. I hope you are having a much better day and have been able to work through some of this. Feel free to vent to me anytime. April
  3. I have had severe sob for awhile now which gets progressively worse. I am not sure what happens from and hear and to be honest and am afraid to ask. Other than this symptom I really feel so healthy. I was diagnosed 2years ago stage IV and have been receiving chemo since with mixed results. I have several nodules in both lungs; each scan shows some imrovement in some areas and some progression in others. Unfortunately, the areas with progression are the lower lobes which is where most of your breathing "power" comes from. I know this question has been asked a million times but I have never seen an answer that was conclusive. What happens when I can no longer breathe on my own. Righ now if I were to walk 10' I am completely out of breath. I do not want to be put on a respirator yet also do not want to be gasping for breath. I also feel I am too much of a burden on my family of recent especially my 13 yr. old and am not sure if there are facilities that will take on my care which is becoming a 24/7 need. I am not eligible for hospice as I am still seeking treatment and not ready to give that up yet? I would appreciate any ideas/suggestions in these multiple areas of concern that I have. Thanks
  4. hopeful?

    tarceva

    I have recently started Tarceva and have really not experienced any side effects except for a fever which I believe is related. Is there any truth to the myths that the more severe the side effects and rash the better the drug is working? Has anyone had good results with Tarceva with little to no side effects? I am on day 12. Thanks again for all your help.
  5. Hi Linda, I had the same problem resulting from a biopsy surgery. After trying several pain meds that did not work my oncologist prescribed gabapentine. It actually is a anti-seizure medicine but I believe works by blocking the signal from the brain and does not have the side effects of your regular pain med. It worked absolute wonders for me. Eventually the pain did subside as well on it's own and I don't need to to take the medication any longer. It's definitely worth a try if you haven't already.
  6. Thank you all very much for your much needed words of wisdom and empathy. I know it is a good thing that he has opened up about maybe needing some help; it just scares me as I need him to be strong for the kids. It also makes this whole thing that much harder to bear with the added guilt of what you feel you are putting your loved ones though. I am not sure where to start but will try to encourage him to talk with his regular doctor for some direction. Thanks again.
  7. I really could use some ideas on how to help my husband who is my primary caregiver and family through this. I can't stand what this disease is doing to everyone. Last week my husband came to me concerned he was very close to having a nervous breakdown. Needs to see a doctor and possible go on some medication which is way out of character for him. He feels bad sharing this with me and wants to be positive for me but can't help it. He is also sleeping way too much. I want to help him through this but don't know what to do. I have been declining lately with very rapid progression of SOB and it has been a challenge just taking care of me. I have been as upbeat as possible with the kids but have mostly showed my real feelings with my husband. Now I feel I can't real do that anymore. Appreciate any ideas.
  8. Good morning all, I have seen a lot of posts on Alimta and SOB. I am going on my 4th round of alimta and am having worsening SOB. Though I am not sure it is the chemo or the cancer progressing as I recall it starting before I began the alimta. My doctor has been reccomending oxygen but so far I haven't considered it but may need to soon. Has anyone else found oxygen to be of help? It is sometime so hard to figure out what is causing your symptoms; the cancer, the chemo, stress, etc!!
  9. My recent scan shows progression via lymphangitic spread in both lungs. Has anyone else experienced this and have any positive news to share? From what I can tell the prognosis is very poor. Just one more setback with this horrible disease!
  10. hopeful?

    Amazing

    I have to say that I find everyone here and their stories absolutely amazing. I feel guilty feeling sorry for my situation after coming here and reading everyone's stories and what you have all gone through. I don't know how you do it! I was only recently diagnosed in July of 07 with stage IV NCSLC and have been receiving chemo treatments through November with a great tumor response (shrinkage). Took a "break" for the holidays and now recent scans have showed some new activity. I am so discouraged and not handling this well at all. How could it have responded so well to treatment yet begin to spread again so quickly? I am so upset with myself as this is really spoiling my Christmas and it could be my last one. How do you all keep going
  11. I have noticed several comments mentioning restaging. I am stage IV; several nodules in both lungs and lymph node involvement. Currently being treated with Chemo only.Is it possible for me to be restaged and become a surgical or radiation candidate if all dissappear except the primary?
  12. This was a GREAT message! It was so encouraging especially to us newly diagnosed with this horrible disease. THANK YOU!
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