CLB
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Posts posted by CLB
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Hi Patti -
I believe it also took about 10 - 14 days for me to see side effects. The Tarceva side effects that I have had are the rash and diarreha. I have been on Tarceva since 3/07 and so far, I would say that the benefits are definitely out weighing the side effects. All of my scans so far have been either stable or improved.
I totally understand what you mean about not being sure if you feel like you are comfortable with just taking a pill vs. chemo infusions. I was so nervous that the pill wouldn't be as aggressive as chemo was.
Hang in there!!
Col
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i am with snowflake......i look back and wonder how in the world I thought that was fat....if only i had known how much worse it would be getting. hahahahahaha
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Thank you all so much!!!!
I was so happy to hear stable, BUT then I freaked about this fluid. Of course I did what I never should ever do again - googled this pericardial effusion. That just leaves me more anxious and nervous about everything......and of course now that I am worried, I am noticing that my chest hurts, etc. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
But you are all right - I need to dwell on the good news and not worry about the new stuff until we know more.
Thanks again you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Col
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I had a light, but persistent cough & a slight "rattle" sound in my chest when I laid downl- both diagnosed by my GP as allergies since my lungs sounded clear.
I noticed being SOB several times, but attributed that to being very out of shape and overweight. Looking back, I see now that I wasn't eating well and lost a lot of weight, was very moody, and VERY tired (to the point where I would sleep in my car at lunch time so I could make through the day at work).
Next, I started to see a persistent "spot" in my vision on my right eye. Opthamologist sent me for MRI for a swollen optice nerve. MRI showed brain tumor. Brain tumor removed and diagnosed as metastatic NSCLC.
whew - thank goodness for my eye doctor!!!!
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Pottstown, PA - I got it for $4.03 yesterday
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Even I have to say that is great, JB!!! hahahahaha!!
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Hi Anne -
I am also a Stage IV survivor. I was dx in October 2006 - NSCLC with mets to brain and bone.
I know just how you feel - I have a 3 1/2 year son and I have been in a similar sort of slump. I just want to be here for him and to see him grow. I can't stand the thought of him having to deal with losing his Mom.
My last scans in April showed that things are stable, but now I seemed to have caught a cold that reminds me of the "symptoms" I was having before anyone ever thought about the possibility I might have cancer....so of course that justs puts me into panic mode and throws me into all those thoughts of sticking around for Jack.
You are right - we have a long time until these guys are graduating and stuff - so let's keep fighting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Col
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Hi Gracie -
I had WBR after my brain tumor had been removed. The fatigue was the main side effect that I had. I was able to continue with chemo while undergoing WBR and lung radiation. I did lose my hair, which the Dr. said is more due to WBR than the chemo.
WBR was great for me - and I am praying and hoping that the same goes for your sister!
Colleen
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:DYAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is awesome Sharon!!!!!!!
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i bet JB would say that too!! hahahaha that was a good one!!
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JB - you are right. I was thinking of the Cedars Point trip when I wrote that
) I remember thinking how pathetic it was that at in my early 20s, I hadn't been further west than Pittsburgh, PA. I can't believe I actually made it to LA, even if it was only for one night. I always love the Jersey shore, but seeing more of the country by train sounds good to me too!! -
definitely - sounds like a great trip. I would love to see more of the country...i haven't too much further than the east coast.
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Probably that I am still not back at work - for some reason that bothers me. I am not sure that going back full time would be the best for me now, but I just like to keep that quiet if I can.
Other than that, I usually tell anything too.
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thanks everyone!!!!! i know none of us want to be feeling any of this, but at least we know that we all feeling similar things and we can come here for comfort. THANK YOU!!
Janet it is funny you said that about the Tarceva side effects.....I was so happy this afternoon when I had a bout of dirarreha too. I kept thinking - ok this is a sign that the Tarceva is working!! Hhahahahahahahah. too funny!
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Thanks Patti!!!! Even though it is nothing either of us want to be feeling, it does help to know that we are not alone in feeling this way. Every little thing anymore seems to set me off in tears....something new Jack learns, seeing him run around, watching him sleep. And there are the times when I freak out because I cough a little bit, or I get tired easily.
The best one was when I got all freaked out because my skin looked like it wasn't as broken out as usual from the Tarceva.....my onc., nuerosurgeon, and radiation doc all said that seeing the side effects are a good sign - must mean that the meds are working. So, of course I get upset when I don't see the rash. 2 years ago I would have been upset to see my face the way it is now.
Craziness - although I am luck to have my son who tells me that I am beautiful everyday. He is the best!!
You hang in there too!!!!
Col
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Sorry - this got posted twice by accident and now I can't find the original post.
I guess I should say cancer is making me more paranoid than usual. I noticed last night that I have a bit of tight feeling in my chest and it is still there today. Right away I think - "Oh no.....is the cancer getting worse? Is this going to be bad?" I freak out abut everything any more. I went to ob/gyn this week since I haven't been there since before dx in 10/06. She sent me for some tests just to be sure that things are working ok since all the chemo and all - of course I am so nervous that she is going to call and tell me that I have some sort of ovarian or cervical cancer.
Then, I panic about things getting worse and leaving my son. I just sat here on the couch last night crying as I thought about how I want him to be able to remember me if things don't go so well, how I want to be here to be with him as he grows, goes to school, plays sports, etc. AHHHHHH
I guess I am just having a few of those really down days that come with this dx. Every little things sets me off crying - watching Jack play, run, swim, sleep, color........
Sorry to go on and on....just needed to vent and I knew a lot of you would totally understand.
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Kill it - in fact, I got one tonight
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We had Rack-O!!!! I loved that game, but my favorite was always Boggle
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I agree with Connie about the ice cream. One of my Dr's kept telling me that the time I was on chemo was probably the only time in my life that I didn't have to worry about the calories and fat I was consuming - so eat whatever it is I was craving. I had so many milkshakes during chemo!!
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I'd Rather Do Chemo Than Clean Out the Garage:: Choosing Laughter over Tears by Fran Di Giacomo
I have this book, but I haven't really read much of it. What I have read so far is ok, but it didn't hold my attention too much.
I am interested in checking out that Crazy Sexy Cancer one though
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Thanks so much everyone! I got the results of my bloodwork today and it seems everything is normal - no hypothyrodism. So, there goes that idea. Guess I am just going to have to face the fact that I need to get things under control here. I started by working out and walking today. Whew.....the good thing though is that for one of the few times in my life I was able to walk the hills in our neighborhood and not be huffing and puffing all the way up (not even at the very top).
Thanks again for all of your help!!!!
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Wow!!! Thanks everyone!!! I will let you know what I find out about my results.
Snowflake, thank you so much for sharing your experience!! What you described about gaining the weight like that is just the way it is going with me. And actually, I have been tired lately, and just in the past few weeks I have found myself sensing that lack of concentration too.
I like the suggestion for the walking - especially since the weather around here is starting to get nice and I can finally walk for awhile without running out of breath (YAY!!!).
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I went down to the hospital today for my monthly Zometa treatment and blood tests. As usual, the first thing that my nurse did was weigh me, take my vitals, etc. So, I stepped on the scale and nearly passed out over how much weight I just seem to keep gaining!!!
Now, I know that at this point in my treatment, gaining weight is much better than losing, but this is getting crazy. I try to excercise at least 3 times a week and I don't think I eat excessivly (JB might say different on that one).
Anyway, my nurse saw that I was upset over my weight gain and told me that she wanted to test me for hypothyroidism when she did my blood work. She said that it is common for people who have had large doses of radiation to the lungs to then be diagnosed with this hypothyroidism due to damage done to the thyroid gland during radiation. And that would be the reason for me gaining weight - the thyroid gland not function properly.
I have to laugh, because after all of this, I am not surprised to hear that I might have yet another "condition." But, if I do have it, they can get me on some medication to boost my metabolism. So, I am almost hoping that this might be the reason for all the additional weight!!!
Has anyone experienced this or heard of it???
) I remember thinking how pathetic it was that at in my early 20s, I hadn't been further west than Pittsburgh, PA. I can't believe I actually made it to LA, even if it was only for one night. 
Col's Update
in MEMBER UPDATES
Posted
Thank you so much everyone!! I haven't been posting for a few months....but have been lurking around. I really appreciate all of your posts!
You guys are the best!