TAnn

You all have lifted my spirits tremendously! Thank you for the words of encouragement. I guess I have no choice but to go through the last treatment, so I will be brave and carry on...... I guess I need to look at the positive, you all have reminded me of that. I will keep you posted on my progress and thanks for the support TAnn

Hi everyone, I've had a rough week to say the least. Chemo is doing quite a number on my body. I had my 5th treatment on Feb. 11th and just like with my 4th treatment, I developed Neutropenic Fever. I went to the ER with a fever on Friday. My wbc were 0.07, I was dehydrated and had alot of congestion. They gave me fluids by IV and antibiotics, and let me go home. When my fever still wasn't gone by Sunday, they admitted me to the hospital. The gave me IV antibiotics and fluids. I also got Nupogen shots to "kick-start" my bone marrow to making more white blood cells. I had some bad bone pain from those shots!!! Anyway, I was finally released on Tuesday as my fever finally broke. That was my first hospitalization since being diagnosed. Let's just say I am glad to be home. My husband and my son are glad I'm home too. The guys running the house.....well need I say more!! I am still weak, but feeling a little better. I am scheduled for my 6th treatment next week and I really do not want it!!! I know that is the wrong attitude, but I am tired of feeling sick. I have more bad days than good. I just want to have energy, and feel "normal" for a while I pray every day that they can come up with a treatment that is not pure torture for the patient. You know, "here, take this it will make you feel BETTER!" Not in the world of cancer I guess. Thanks for listening. It's hard to stay positive when you feel so bad...... TAnn

T-Bone, It seems that no matter if we have chemo or radiation, we have those dreaded side effects. I am glad they are addressing your lung tumor. I have never had radiation, but the loss of taste is definately a part of chemo. For about 8 days per cycle my mouth tastes like metal. The only thing I have found that tastes the way it should is peanut butter. It is different for everyone, some prefer something sweet. At least I like something that has some protein. Good luck with your radiation treatments, I hope you soon find relief from your sinus woes. Praying for you all.... TAnn

Norme, Even though I am new to posting to the boards, I have been reading and following your journey with Buddy since my diagnosis last April. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this terrible time. I know Buddy had his angel with him here on earth. You were always an inspiration to me and others on this board. May God bless you and keep you strong. TAnn

Thanks to all for your wonderful thoughts and support. So glad I found this board! TAnn

I had my onc. appointment today. I have been going through treatments for 10 months now always with the same results. "Everything looks the same" I know this is good, but having suffered through so much chemo, I would like to see a little progress. Well today I got the good news. My tumor has shrunk! The radiologist report says that the tumor has shrunk by 31%. Yea! It gives me the strength to get through the rest of the treatments, you know, to see that something is working. I also received my 5th chemo treatment today. All went well, once I got a good IV. Seems like it always takes 2 sticks to get it right anymore. My veins are pretty much shot! Well, I just wanted to share the good news with all of you. Thanks for listening! TAnn

I am so sorry to hear about your brother. It sounds like he and I have similar cases. I was diagnosed in April 03 with Adenocarcinoma Stage IIIB/IV with malignant pleural effusion. I have had the fluid drained 3 times (the procedure is horrible) by thorencenthesis and they are trying to talk me into a Denver cathetar(sp). They stick a tube in your side into the pleural area and you drain it at home everyday. It really scares me, in fact I am petrified about it. I should find out tomorrow when I go to see my onc and for my 5th of 6 chemo treatments. As far as the hair loss, I was first on chemo - Taxol/Carboplatin and lost all my hair. It is a side effect from the chemo, not necessarily a sign that the chemo is working. My tumor did not shrink, but it also did not grow while on chemo. I am now on Taxotere with ZD-6474 clinical trial and have experienced only partial hair loss of the hair that grew back after the taxol. I don't really care for the look! Also, I too have problems with getting an IV. One thing that helps is to drink lots of water prior to your appointment. It hydrates the veins. It really helps! I wish your family the best. Keep us posted with his progress.

T-Bone I'm glad your visit to MDA was a good experience. When I was there last Wednesday, their computers were down and the only delay I encountered was in the blood-draw department. All other appointments that day went smooth as can be! They are a great group of people and I hope you have continued success with them. Wishing you much success with your new chemo treatments. TAnn

Hi Kim Welcome to the site. I am so sorry to hear of your current set back. It sounds like you are a fighter and will do well. Hoping your new course of treatment works wonders! You have come to a great site. The people here are the most supportive and wonderful you'll find. Come back often and let us know how how you are doing. By the way, what type of lung cancer do you have?

Superbowl Sunday was supposed to be a fun day. Maybe for some, I started feel pretty terrible and ended up with a fever of 102.2. My husband took me to the Emergency Room at MDA. My fever had gone up to 102.5 by the time we got there and my heart rate was 175. (Normal is about 80) My white blood cells were almost non-existent .14 due to the chemo. I've been through this before, when I was on Carbo/Taxol. Now I'm on Taxotere and ZD-6474. The good news is that they found no pneumonia or other infection and believe it was just a case of neutropenic fever. They hooked me up with IV antibiotics, and fluids (I was also dehydrated) and I had a low magnesium level so they gave me more of that. They released me around 1:00 am. I'm starting to feel a little better today. I am scheduled for chemo #5 next Wednesday and I'm worried that my counts won't be up by then. I'm still feeling very weak and tired. Hoping for a better weekend this weekend. TAnn

Hi T-Bone, I am replying to you on the day you are at MDA. I've been there 3 times this week myself. They definately can get all your tests done today. You will be exhausted by the time you are back in your hotel room. MDA is a 24/7 hospital. I've been there myself until 2 or 3AM for chemo treatments. I am hoping and praying that the news is all good. Let me know if I can be of any help or if you have any questions about MD Anderson. I talk to people there all the time who are from different states and countries. Alot of them tell me they come to Houston for their monthly assessments, CT scans and such and they work with the doctors in your hometown for your treatments. It will be overwhelming, you will do alot of waiting, but the people there are all great. Waiting to hear from you, TAnn

Becky, I too am new to the boards. I agree that increasing your pain medication is not the answer. Why not find out what the problem is instead of just covering it up. I too have rib pain, however mine is due to the pleural effusion. Have they checked for fluid? Just a thought. Hope you find some relief.

Thanks to all for the warm welcome. T-Bone, I try not to think about how I got this horrible disease, I've got it and I have to fight it with all I can. It was hard at first, but when I knew that I would never have the answer to that question, I knew I had to move on. I too had a rough day today. It's raining and dreary in Houston, so maybe it's just the weather. We have to let ourselves feel, get it out of our systems and then we can pick ourselves up and get the fight back in us! I really appreciate your kind welcome and will keep you and the others in my prayers. Hope you have a better tomorrow!

Thank you Snowflake for your welcome. Houston's not a bad town at all, and Dave & Busters is a fun place. My husband & I used to take my son there all the time. (He is now 18 and doesn't go out w/mom & dad too much!) Anyway, about the never smoker comment... I get very annoyed when I tell someone about my disease and the FIRST question they ask is "do you smoke?" No one deserves this horrible disease. I'm reading more statistics that non-smokers make up a growing (if not greater) percentage of lung cancer patients. It IS NOT a smokers disease. Take care and God Bless.

Hello... I have been viewing this website since being diagnosed in April '03 and finally decided to participate. I guess I am finally comfortable with my disease and hope I can be of comfort to someone out there as you all have been to me over the past months.. I am a 41 y/o never smoker dx'd April '03 with NSCLC Adenocarcinoma of the upper right lung with a malignant pleural effusion, Stage IIIB/IV. I live in Houston, TX and have the blessing of having one of the best cancer facilities in the nation...MD Anderson. I know some of you have visited and did not have good experiences, but I cannot say enough good things about it. I have been through 5 out of 6 treatments (my blood counts wouldn't come back up for the 6th) of Carbo/Taxol and am now participating in a clinical trial of ZD-6474 with Taxotere. I have completed 4 of 6 treatments and hope to find out if I've been getting the drug at the end of the trial. (It's a double blind trial, which bites!) I have not seen many posts from people with malignant pleural effusions and was wondering if anyone has any personal information on the subject. It is not a good complication to have (duh!) and I'd like to know what to expect. Thanks for this website and I look forward to getting to know you all.