Laurie

Paddy, Did you try the number below? Did you try the United Way or Salvation Army? Who can help if I don’t have insurance coverage for IRESSA? If you don’t have insurance coverage for IRESSA, or your prescription benefits are limited and you can’t afford the cost, there are several options. In many cases, state or local programs are available to cover all or part of the cost of IRESSA. You can find out more about the options available in your area by calling or visiting your county’s Department of Social Services. You can also call the AstraZeneca Cancer Support Network at 1-866-99-AZCSN (1-866-992-9276). Trained reimbursement specialists are available to provide the help you need, which may include: Working with your insurance company to see if IRESSA can be added to their list of covered drugs Providing you and your doctor with information about an appeal if coverage for IRESSA has been denied Searching for state or local programs that may be able to help you with coverage for IRESSA Searching for alternative coverage for IRESSA When calling the AstraZeneca Cancer Support Network, please have the following information available: your health insurance card or policy information, your doctor’s name and phone number, and your household financial information. back to top Reference: 1. Full Prescribing Information for IRESSA. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Wilmington, DE.

Thankyou all for your replies. I'm so sorry to worry you guys. Cindy I did go to the hospital last weekend and they gave me morphine and xrays and referred me to a specialist but the specialist said he can't test me until the morphine and pain killers are out of my system for 3 weeks?? I'm going to go to the redicare tomorrow and tri to get an antibiotic. I just don't want my parents to fly all the way out here until I know more and my Mom has to work and have her scan results. She is retiring in DEC! Yeah!! I just feel bad causing them stress, the last time she came out she was exhausted and had that eyesight problem and got a cold from the airplane she has to use an inhaler now. The trip is so long for them. Thanks for listening and caring. You guys are the best and I really appreciate you. Laurie

Paddy, I'm so sorry to hear what you are going through. My heart and prayers are with you and your husband. I had heard the same thing about the manufactures offering assistance directly through their websites too. Sending Hugs Laurie

Hi Everyone, Mom had her scans today at 5:30... Oh please I pray they will be negative. My situation is as follows: Symptoms: I have 12mm disk bulges on c4-5 c5-6 flattening of the anterior margin of the cord cervical straightening swollen glands a sore throat a fever of 100-101 off and on for about 3 months tremors in my arms and legs muscle spasms sharp pains I also feel like i have just ran or weightlifted but I haven't my limbs feel week. Nausea Can't remember shi_ ( well I had that before too) lol Someone said I could have NeuroFibromylagia???? From the neck injury, I can't get into see the specialist for three weeks... I'm freaked out... guess I shouldn't get too worried but I can't even eat soup and I have to nap after I blowdry my hair. I called my parents but they were celebrating my Daddy's Birthday.. I don't want to worry them but I'm freaked out. Maybe its the flu??? Laurie

Okay all you MOMs out there!!! Thankyou, I called and I talked to my Daddy and he said "your brothers got a bug too sounds like the same virus"... I hope so! They have no clue whats wrong with me, They want me to see an Internal medicine doctor and a pain mgmt specialist, I'm trying to get in to see them. My arms are shaking really bad today and I'm pretty much stuck on the couch... couch potatoe. Mom has two suspiocus spots they are monitoring please keep her in your prayers. Everybody Scream SCAR TISSUE!!!

Well A Very Happy Anniversary to you!!!! Wishing you much happiness and many more wonderful years together!

Hi Everyone, I have a neck injury and I have been having a fever this time the fever I have had for a couple of weeks now. Yesterday my arms started shaking my head was pounding I could barely pick it up and I almost passed out. I went to the hospital and they Xrayed my whole body and put me on an IV and gave me fluids and Morphine. I was kind of shocked that they just didn't give me an anitbotic and send me home or do a spinal tap to make sure I didn't have an infection??? I'm scared and I want my Mommy. I wanted to call my Mom but shes having her scans this week and I don't want to worry her. She lives in NH and I in Arizona, Should I tell my Mom???

Oh no. I'm so sorry and sad to hear this. Bob was truely very special and will be missed.

Kate, I'm so sorry that you and J are going through this, it sure is scarey and you have every right to demand the best possible care for J and he is lucky to have you on his side. My mother had this drug Cisplatin/vp16 and it is a really heavy cancer drug. I thought that it was a standard first line chemo drug usually mixed with vp16 which is also called epotisode or something like that. I always see them together. Better to make sure. The good new is it killed my Moms very large tumor! My Mom had this severe throwing up that you are talking about (everyone is different) and the hydration is so important because the medications on an empty stomach can make him throw up. Then he will throw up the anti nausea and it is so important to keep hydration to end the viscous cycle. My mom ended up being on IVs every chemo and it really helped her. The blood cell meds, hydrating IV's, and yes blood transfusions are essential to aiding the body to heal and keeping everything inbalance so that J can stop vomiting and get the rest that he needs. It sure is terrifying to see your loved one vomit. Once We learned to actually stay ahead of the cycle and that is the key. My Mom actually took suppositories at times for vomiting because she would throw up the Zofran. Once we learned that she needed the meds sooner we gave them to her before she got sick so she was able to rest and drink a little bit during the first days. The water and hydration is essential to aiding the Kidneys to flush out the chemo and the throwing up will stop sooner. The first few days are always the worst and the first chemo is a Learning process. They can adjust the medication and Each time you will learn the warning signs to help keep the vomiting at bay. I hope that this helps you. As for the other symptom I agree that should have been taken very seriously, no matter who is on vacation I don't blame you for wanting another doctor. Take care and hang in there. Please keep us posted. Sending you huge hugs.

Hi Cindy and Cathy, How are you guys??? Yeah unfortunately I am injured and I'm trying to fiqure out wether to be disabled, FMLA, try to get another job etc... I am pondering surgery options etc. It's a terrible story.. unfortunately but i'm getting through it day by day. Here I am trying to raise money for seriously ill people and now look at me... How about seriously ill and injured people. I haven't been able to work since June. OH WELL.. LOL.. Cindy I love the picture of your dog!! There are so many great pictures here now its so refreshing to see all the pictures next to the posts.. I'm sorry that I haven't been posting more. I hope to stay more active and I certainly have more time to devote to activism. Love and Hugs to you guys! PS Cindy did you get the last CD I sent you????

Nancy, I'm sending Huge hugs and prayers your way!!

Well Happy Birthday!!! I just realized that I started a new thread here, I meant to put it on the end of your post. Oh well... I just got my computer up and running again now I live in Phoenix AZ. I wonder who all lives out here from the boards. Anyway I'm glad to hear from you and that you and Lucy are doing well. PS I take Effexor too. I have a neck injury that may require surgery and I sure do get hot flashes out here in the 110 degree heat!!!!! Hope it helps us all.. I will keep Lucy in my prayers for the best results for her tests. My Mom has her scans next week too. Big Hugs

Don, Its so good to see your post. I haven't been posting too much because I have moved and have been injured. I have missed you. I am wishing you and Lucie all the very best. Sending big hugs to you both.

Hi Ben, First of all I wanted to say that I'm sorry that your Mom has LC and it sure is an overwhelming and scarey thing to watch your Mom change and go through treatments. My Mom slept alot too and it is the best thing for her. I like to think that when she is sleeping she is Healing. Those bad cells are being destroyed and she needs to sleep to allow that process to take place. My Moms hair fell out in thin strands she had a Annie Lenox style hair cut I can't remember the name of that style but the longer style came out and bothered her eyes. Fell into them while she slept. Make sure you take some time for yourself and try to stay positive if you can, there is always hope and while our loved ones choose to fight this battle we can only encourage them, and have faith that the doctors and the Lord will bring them to a path of healing. When you are scared or angry just come here and get it all out. We can support you and we have felt many of the same fears. Many people here can give you help with symptoms and tell you what they experienced. You are not alone, keep posting and I will keep you and your Mom in my thoughts and prayers.

Karen, I'm keeping your father in my prayers.

Geoff, That sure is great news! I'm so happy for you and your Mom!

Kelly, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers. Laurie

Kel, I'm sorry to hear that your Mom had a blood clot and you feel like you are on the rollercoaster. We all have been there and you are not alone. I will include your Mom in prayers. Take care of yourself too. Hugs and Prayers

You can count on my prayers too!! Many coming your way!

Cheryl, Sorry I'm late but I wanted to wish you a happy belated birthday!!!! You deserve the very best. I'm praying for you and wishing you health good scans and much happiness.

Tree My Mom is in that area and I am in San Diego CA I tried to go as much as I could. Look for a non-profit agency called the "Road To Recovery". They will take her so she won't be alone, I also asked her friends to go, she wouldn't ask them, but when they called to ask me how to help and I flat out told them, we need someone to be a friend on these dates, people were great in volunteering they wanted to be there but didn't want to interfere my Mom needed them as much as they needed her. It helped her friends understand what she was going through and Mom felt comfortable to converse openly with them. I would check with her first but I know My Mom and her needs, feelings.... My Mom used Road to Recovery a couple of times. I got the number from the social worker at Wentworth Douglas Hospital in Dover NH. Hope this helps. Bless you and Mom, Laurie

Hi Carleen, It is so good to hear from you. I am so sorry to hear that Keith was hospitalized. Unfortunately I don't have medical expertise in this area but I just wanted to say that I am praying for you and Keith and as always I am thinking about you. Love, Laurie

Have a good time Sandy! Laurie

Hi Cheryl, I am so glad to see that there is a new plan of action for your treatments. I am praying so hard for you girl!!! Love, Laurie

Joni, I'm am so sorry to hear that Robert passed away. Please accept my sincerest condolensces. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Laurie