briesgo17

Thank you Sandra and Ry, I appreciate your responses. Just to be on the safe side I will take my pop to urgent care. Though his Oncologist did not find an urgency this vana cava possibility is frightening. Ry, what other symptoms should I look for if it is vana cava?

My pop is (73) years old and he was diagnosed with Stage IV adenocarcinoma in August,2008. No symptoms other than a loss of apetite and the losing of weight. He lost 30lbs from April, 2008 to August, 2008. He had six cycles of Carbo/Taxol. He has mets to his adrenals and small lesion in his liver and pancreas. In the CT scan of October 30, 2008 it showed substantial shrinkage of his primary lung but progression in his adrenals. In the new year he was switched to Alimta and had three cycles when the CT scan of 2/27/08 revealed lung stable but progression to adrenals and further lesions on liver and pancreas. He started on Tarceva 3/5/9. Today he is on his seventh day and he woke up swollen from his face. The swelling presented itself with firmness in and around his adams apple under his chin. I called his doctor and he said as long as there was no pain, difficulty swallowing or shortness of breath he did not want to discontinue medicine. His rash is minimal on day seven. Anyone out there who has had similar reaction to Tarceva please respond.

Katie, You are my hero. This website is amazing. As I had written earlier, I have been a lurker for the last six months and have learned so much here. I thank you for your in put. One other thing. Is there a way to translate the comments into Spanish with one swoop? It would really help to share these nice insightful comments with my dad. Thank you and I sure will keep everyone updated.

Judy, Yes. You have said a mouthful! I love you guys. You are all totally awesome! What a feeling to have knowledge that no doctor can give you. My respects to all and I am off to make my dad a juice with my new juicer!

Linda: You are so kind. Bless your heart. I do feel bad for bothering my dad. Your right, I should just let him come around and join him when he can. He used to weigh about 185-190 lbs and last summer he lost 30-35lbs in two-three months. He would brag about how its necessary to cut back on your goodies without ever knowing it was the cancer. He weighed 156lbs when he started carbo/taxol (8/17/8) and has maintained his weight 145-150lbs since. I am sure it is hard to see our loved ones battle but we can only insist on trying every avenue. Once again, thank you for sharing.

Ned: Finally, light. If only my dad can express himself in the manner you do. It all makes sense. I will keep everything in mind and provide him meals that are less painful. Thank you for your insight and help.

Christine: Thank you for your welcoming. I have since placed a call to Kaiser in hopes to get help with his depression. I do believe that its the culprit. Thank you for sharing and I am sorry for your loss. I will keep posting.

Judy, I am so happy for you! What a great feeling it must have been and still is to have fought the battle and come out clean. I hope things stay this way for you forever! Thank you for your nice comments. I wish I could say the same about my weight, but who is suppose to eat the foods he rejects .

Patti: I never considered depression. But come to think of it. I believe my dad had high hopes with Alimta. The shorter infusion convinced him that it would be easier and it wasn't. His experience with carbo/taxol was a breeze so he thought it would get easier. I go with my dad to every medical appointment. I will contact his onc today and see about anti depressants. Thank you for the lead.

Judy, Forgive my ignorance. Since November, 2008 are you on any type of chemo or maintenance drug? I am happy to see that you have no evidence of disease but also ask what your follow up care consists of. Its true I know. It really wouldn't make much sense to pull my dad off this treatment without letting it try to do its job. Its just that he refuses to eat and my re-inventions are fading. Last night I bought a juicer. I read someone mention that they maintained their wait with various types of juices and that it was more tolerable than solids. My dad doesn't even know this but I am preparing him an exotic one for breakfast .

Ned, You are always so helpful. Thank you for your insight. My dad has trouble explaining what it is he feels. He just shouts, "NO" when he seems me coming with something or other to eat. I appreciate everything you can tell me about how it feels to try to eat something you actually like on these types of chemo. I hate torturing my dad with some foods. If you don't mind me asking. How much did you weigh when you started the first chemo and how much do you weigh currently. Its amazing how little my dad eats and still maintains himself between 145-150lbs. Heres hoping that Alimta is a smooth transition for you and that it allows you to enjoy your favorite foods. I love your name!

Patty, I can't believe I am actually writing to you. Its as if I know you. Intimate strangers and all. I have lurked you for so long now I am well versed on you and your life. You always bring a smile to my face. Thank you for your response on my dad. The lack of appetite thing just started with alimta. Prior treatment never took his hunger away. I am going to sneak up some finger foods and lots of snacks. Water he rejects. I don't know why but he loves his Coke. Once again thank you for all your great words

Linda, I am sorry to hear about your loss. I appreciate your response and your sharing of your experience with these drugs. Its hard to say whether it is the chemo or the cancer that takes his hunger away. The doctors want him to go two more treatments before we see how things look via ct scan. The waiting is the worse. Ensure with ice cream, maybe cinnamon add bananas. I disguise this drink in so many ways. I will try protein next.

Lynn, I am sorry to read about your loss. I appreciate your response and find great comfort from all those who post on this website. I have learned so much and yet feel so naive. My concern deals with the idea that maybe another type of chemo may help my father better. I love the insight others have and await to hear how it can help my dad. Once again, thank you for sharing.

I have been lurking this website since July, 2008. My father was diagnosed with Stage IV adenocarcinoma with mets to his adrenals. He underwent carbo/taxol for six sessions and though his tumors shrunk on his lung there was little progression on his adrenals. On January 3, 2009 he commenced his first treatment with Alimta (675mg). On the 23rd of January, 2009 he started his second dosage. I have noticed that the Alimta has removed his hunger 100%. His overall health looks great and he maintains his weight between 145-150lbs since he was diagnosed. I don't know if Alimta is doing this or if it is his cancer. When he was on carbo/taxol he still enjoyed his meals and had no issue concerning hunger. I believe my father thought that a shorter infusion meant easier recovery but the exact opposite took place. I wonder if anyone out there can share thoughts on other possible treatment ideas or insight on how Alimta affects your hunger. My father is a 73 year old who often is found saying, "why doesn't anyone help me". I appreciate any help in these areas.