[Telcyta]

I was wondering if anyone out there has heard of TELCYTA (TLK286) manufacture by Telik. My oncologist wants me to try it.

Cherbut

Diagnosed Sept. 2003 Stage 4 nsclc

[TKL286.3020]

Have any of you heard of TKL286.3020, made byTelik, Inc? It's something like Iressa. Is it any good?

Cherbut

Diagnosted nsclc state 4 Sept 2003

[New drug "Onclomax"?]

I'm not a computer whiz and I have to admit when I try to say thanks for responding on my question about Oncomax I find I'm getting my response in MY e-mail. So if I'm doing this right this time, THANKS!

Cherbut

[New drug "Onclomax"?]

On the news tonight there was brief mention of a new drug (and I'm only guessing at the spelling) called "Onclomax" which is showing really good results in treating breast and liver cancer. I'm hoping with further testing they will find it works well for other cancers. Has anyone heard of it or might know what I'm talking about?

Cherbut

Diagnosed Stage 4 nsclc Sept. 2003

Brain lesions June 2004

To begin Taxotere July 9, 2004

[Missed the GVAX clinical trial--brain lesions]

I was to have gotten to participate in a GVAX clinical triel recently but just before it was to start, I developed brain lesions so they have been giving me radiation. Has anyone out there had brain lesions happen? It's been a strange (and kind of scary experience). For about a week there, I could not do some everyday things, like fugure out how to dress right, open up the mailbox or use a can open. I would really like to hear from anyone who has experienced brain lesions.

Cherbut

(Cheryl)

nsclc diagnosed September 2003

PS The good news may be a surgeon recently told me he does not think I am Stage 4 after all.

[Velcade]

I am in the process of being accepted into a clinical trial to use Velcade, either alone or in conjuction with Taxotere. I just found out about this yesterday. I know it's being used to treat multiple myeloma. Does anyone out there have any information about any sucess rates using Velcade for nsclc or any information in general?

Cherbut

Diagnosed Sept. 2003 Stage IV nsclc

Initial shrinkage with Carbo/Taxol

Tumor started growing again per last 2 CAT scans

[Dr says only chemo no radiation???]

Sorry to have mised your post until now, but my doctor said the same thing. He said "for some reason" with Stage IV radiation isn't a help, plus I had no symptoms was part of it. Since October 2003 I have been strictly on chemo and have had a lot of shrinkage.

Cherbut

Stage IV ncslc

On Carboplatin and Taxol

Carboplatin discontinued due to low platelet count

[CT Results are In]

That is great news! Bet you're celebrating.

Cherbut

Diagnosed Sept. 2003 Stage IV nsclc

Carbo/Taxol (Carbo discontinued recently low platelets

Feeling well!

[Good News, Better News, Best News!!!]

That is great news! I love to hear about shrinkage. I am so glad to hear your doctor still gave you a reduced amount of chemo. I was not able to get any chemo for awhile because my platelets were too low and the tumor in my lung got a little larger but once my onologist took me off Carboplatin and left my on Taxol, my blood counts have been fine. I hope it's doing the trick!

Cherbut

Dianosed Stage IV nsclc Sept. 2003

No radiation (doc says with my stage chemo alone is best)

[Taxotere]

Thanks for the information Margaret. I had just assumed Carboplatin was the major potential chemo problem for everyone. How did the Iressa work for you?

Cherbut

Diagnosed Stage IV nsclc Sept. 2003

Tumor had been shrinking "dramatically" (as the report put it) until last CAT March 2004 showed some growth instead.

[Taxotere]

Are there usually many side effects of Taxotere? My oncologist has told me that would be his next pick if I exhaust Taxol and Iressa. I have not had any side-effects from Taxol but Carboplatin was discontued because my platelets weren't holding up.

Cherbut

Diagnosed Sept. 2003 Stage IV nsclc

[Dad IIIB; Clean PET Scan!!!!!!!!!!!!]

That is such great news. I can't tell you how much I love hearing news lke that. You must be on top of the world!

Cherbut

Diagnosed late Sept 2003 Stage IV nsclc

[Iressa Information]

I have read more than once that Iressa is prescribed when the use of ALL other cancer drugs has been exhausted. My oncologist is planning on putting me on Iressa when (hopefully!) he sees further tumor shrinkage from Carbo/Taxol. Those are the only chemos I've been on and he's told me I have other chemo options. I figure he must be fairly sold on Iressa because he's not the world's greatest optimist!

Cherbut

Diagnosed Stage IV nsclc August 2003

[Insurance/Changing Jobs]

Hi, Heather,

Did you get a definite answer in regard to coverage from your husband's insurance company? Anytime I was especially concerned about getting a CORRECT answer (like whether Iressa is covered by my Rx card) I would document the date, name of the person I spoke with(normally they just give their first name), and I would ask that they make note (keep the tape of the conversation or whatever it's called) in case of questions later. I wonder if you could get it in writing.

Cherbut (Cheryl)

[Social Security Disability]

I spoke to a 7-year survivor of lung cancer the other day and she told me I would be eligible for Social Security disability. Does anyone out there know anything about it? I have a phone interview appointment for tomorrow to give information to a Social Security representative.

Cherbut

Stage IV nsclc

Started Carbo/Taxol Oct. 2003

Lost track of the # of rounds but doing well!

[Is it normal to feel so good?]

I want to tell you all what support you've been to me. I don't post much but I'm on here everyday. I was diagnosed with nsclc in August 2003 (sorry that first month was such a horrific blur I can't remember dates). I've had 6 treatyments of taxol and carboplatin and have not been sick or tired yet. My doctor didn't stage me until last week because he wasn't sure about two spots showing up on my PET scan. Last week he told me they were indeed cancer and I am Stage IV! It just all seems so weird. A dry cough in August is what brought me to the doctor but a dose of antiobiotics took that away. I just feel weird (and thankful!) to feel so well when I am so sick. My tumor has reduced in size by two thirds. Is the worst yet to come?

Cherbut

[Just diagnosed Sage IV NSCLC]

I was just told by my doctor yesterday that I am Stage IV NSCLC and it came as quite a blow for me. I was diagnosed with NSCLC early September and have been on carboplatin and taxol. The way my doctor put it was the good news is that my tumor has shrunk dramatically but since my latest PET scan picked up shrinkage in a spot on my hip (the biopsy had come out negative for cancer) and also shrinkage in a lymph node above my pancreas, I was definitely Stage IV and there would be practically no hope for survival (like one in a thousand). I saw at the beginning of your message board that there ARE survivors of Stage IV. Is that true? Are there any Stage IV survivors out there I could talk to? My doctor also said that once I'm Stage IV I never go back to Stage III. I'm confused.

[New and confused]

I have just been recently diagnosed with lung cancer (nsclc) and I'm still in the process (seems like it takes forever!) of talking to oncologists and getting tests taken. Next week I get a PET scan and a bone scan and depending on results is when I decide what hospital/oncologist to go with. My question is how do you make a good decision? More than one family member has mentioned going to Houston, TX. What hospital is there and why is it considered so good? I don't know if my insurance (Coventry) would cover it. I live in the Kansas City, MO area. Of the 2 oncologists I've seen, one of them I really like but I can't base a decision on that. Any thoughts that would help me?

Cherbut

[Is there any way to call members in my local calling area?]

Hi, I'm a new member and just learning how to use this site. Is there a way to call people in my local calling area (which is Kansas City, MO)?

Cherbut

[Why---Why do you believe in life after death]

I too struggle with whether there is life after death, especially now that I've been diagnosed with lung cancer. I wasn't raised in any religion. Some things that happened right after my father's death 2 years ago gave me some comfort. My dad was an electronics tech-he was just nuts aout anything electronic. A clock alarm that had never gone off or been touched went off in the middle of the night. Also, a man he worked with 30 years before and had lost touch with all that time found my brother's phone number and called him in an attempt to look up my father.

[I'm new to this and just feel lost]

Hi, I'm new to this and want to talk to you all. I just found out yesterday that I have lung cancer-I don't even know what kind. Haven't met with the oncologist yet. A pulmonary doctor gave me the news and he didn't offer me hope, although I know there are survivors. I wanted to get mad at him! Do these feelings of anxiety go away?