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CAL

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Everything posted by CAL

  1. Hi Ned, I didn't receive automatic Neulasta shots after my Alimta (plus Eribtux) infusions and my counts were relatively good throughout. Note that I did have low counts with my first-lline platinum doublet that resulted in febrile neutropenia and a neulasta (or equivalent) shot after my final infusion. What I did get with Alimta was a periodic B12 shot and daily folic acid. Good luck with your new treatment. Carole
  2. At my centre the image results are immediately available on the system and can be accessed by any one of a number of doctors involved with my care. Generally, there's a delay of approximately a week before I can see my oncologist to discuss the results; however, the written radiologist's report is available before that and I will often obtain a copy prior to my oncologist visit. Although there are often unanswered questions with this approach I do find that I am better prepared when I do see the oncologist.
  3. Bohojack, I feel for you -- and certainly think your mum should seek and receive answers as to why the change of plan. I too am in Canada (Ontario) and know that what is funded by our system varies from province - province. As far as I know, in Ontario (provided health is generally up to it) the system funds at least two lines of chemo (i.e. different types of treatment) as well as tarceva (a form of lung cancer treatment that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor and can have great results for some). Apart from this there are also clinical trials available. You may want to find out what is funded by your province/territory and then take it from there. Also, as Sandra and many others on this site will tell you there are treatments available and lots of hope. Many people here, including myself, have done very well with the standard treatments. I couldn't have surgery (position of tumour) but am still alive and very much kicking 18 months from diagnosis!
  4. CAL

    O Patti B

    I don't post often but do read pretty much daily. Sandra, thank you so much for composing this -- what a wonderful way to pay tribute to Patti and to wish her well. Patti has certainly been in my thoughts and I'm sending many positive wishes her way. I'm also sending many positive wishes your way for being so thoughtful and caring.
  5. Thanks for this discussion. I've been taking Tarceva (150) for just over two weeks now and was experiencing lack of appetite, mild nausea and fatigue. I was taking Tarceva first thing in the morning and it seems that for around 4 hours afterwards I felt sick and very tired. Since reading this thread I have decided to take Tarceva before sleep (starting tonight). So far today my feelings of fatigue have gone so I am keeping my fingers crossed that this was a side effect of Tarceva. I'd be interested to know if people who originally had a lack of appetite found that it came back?
  6. Hi Marci, Sorry to hear that your Mum is having such a difficult time and hope that things begin to pick up soon. From the beginning of my diagnosis I've had issues with my heart. Although it was somewhat difficult to tell from the scans it seemed that my tumor had spread from the mediastinum to the left atrium and a vein leading from the heart. The radiation and first-line chemo seemed to do the trick and zap the main tumor. Although I continue to have issues with a rapid heart beat (for which I'm given medication) I keep my fingers crossed that the heart tumor has been resolved. I hope the same for your Mum. Carole
  7. Also stage IIIB and happy to discuss my experiences to date.
  8. Chris, sorry to hear about the severe pain in your clavicle. I haven't had bone or fracture pain but understand that it can be quite nasty. I hope that you've received meds to alleviate. I've also had something of an up and down time since I last posted and am concluding from my own experience thus far and the experiences of others that I've read on this board that this will not necessarily be an easy ride into known or predictable territory but it sure will be an interesting one. I've certainly had my periods of optimism as well as my periods of doubt and despondence. It encourages me to remain optimistic when I read so many positive profiles and messages on this board. I also figure that if I'm fighting to stay here and beat this dreadful disease then I can control how I respond day to day (I know far easier said than done) and refuse to let doubt and despondence occupy my orientation and thoughts. All best wishes for the best. Carole
  9. Hi Chris, Your post and those of others who have been lurking but not posting inspired me to join in the conversation. As long as I've done things correctly you'll see from my profile that we have a fair bit in common re dx. I've finished first-line treatment now and continue to hope for excellent results -- time will tell. In terms of treatment side-effects I didn't lose all of my hair but it did get a LOT thinner. It's now around 4 months since my last treatment and it's just started to grow back. While not a breeze I certainly found the treatments tolerable and in my case things like the anti-nausea drugs worked very well. The two things that were stressed were (1) to be sure to take the anti-nausea drugs when they should be taken (not when nausea strikes)and (2) get to the clinic or the ER in the event of a temperature (which happened twice to me and was caused by severely low white cell blood counts -- manageable but not to be ignored). Wishing you the best with your treatments and look forward to hearing your updates. Carole
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