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Lea

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Posts posted by Lea

    Why is he so tired?

    in CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER

    Posted

    Hi Tess,

    My husband is on Gemzar too and has not only gotten the blood bosters such as Procrit but also has had transfussions ranging from every week to every two weeks. Yes, he is tired---but he is still working from home everyday. So, he still has energy to work and have somewhat of a routine. I agree with the others----give the doc a call.

    Does anyone get physically ill from stress?

    in CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER

    Posted

    Andrea,

    I was so-o-o-o lightheaded and tired at the beginning of my husband's diagnosis, I could hardly make it through each day and accomplish anything. My doctor ran blood tests and nothing was wrong. So, he prescribed a mild anti-anxiety med. It makes an enormous difference expecially with my ability to focus. Please make sure it's not just stress and do have tests run.

    Thirst?

    in CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTER

    Posted

    Yes, my husband drinks water all day and to top it off- our tap water tastes strange to him-so I always have plenty of bottled water on hand. Strange cravings---for him, it has been watermelon, which he eats at twice a day!! :lol:

    Thoughts

    in GENERAL

    Posted

    I am little late here. But, I am glad you are doing the chemo. I agree with the rest of the group in that, my husband did not feel sick---simply fatigued. The fatigue strikes the second days and lasts about three days. He did need a transfusion last time to feel better.

    New to this nightmare

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    Hi Debbie,

    I am so sorry you are going through this. When my husband was diagnosed in February, I was so stunned that I could not even begin to tell you exactly what details the doctor told me. My doctor gave me his pager number so either my husband or I could call anytime. At the beginning, I know I repeated questions, so don't hesitate to call and ask more questions to your doctor. As the chemo gets ahold of the cancer, your husband will feel better. My husband spent the first two months after the diagnosis in the hospital due to the severity of his blood clots. It is almost one month later, and he is now working full time from home and feeling much better. So hang in there and my prayers are sent your way.

    my sisters sclc - dx 2/04

    in INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

    Posted

    Welcome Beverly,

    I have learned so much from the community here and feel very supported. The truth is everyone reacts differently to the cancer and to treatments. Just like my husband, I know your sister will battle the cancer well. So keep that positive attitude!

    TARCEVA

    in CLINICAL TRIALS

    Posted

    Not sure if everyone saw this today in the news.....

    Is Tarceva a cure for cancer?

    No.

    So what does it do?

    Tarceva helps some patients who have certain kinds of cancer stay alive longer -- anywhere from a few weeks to many months. Human tests show that it can halt or even reverse some tumor growth.

    But patients are still sick, right?

    Yes, but Tarceva also improves their quality of life. It can be used if radiation or chemotherapy doesn't work. Those treatments have severe side-effects such as nausea and hair loss. With Tarceva, the patient simply takes a pill once a day.

    What are the side-effects?

    Some patients get diarrhea or a rash; they're considered relatively minor.

    What kind of cancers does it work on?

    The most recent tests concerned certain kinds of late-stage lung cancer. There are also hopes that it might work on brain cancer. It's also being tested on pancreatic cancer.

    Tarceva and similar compounds are "targeted therapies" that focus on the abnormal signals that drive cancer cells. These drugs try to keep cancer at bay or even reduce tumors by blocking the process by which cancer cells divide, grow and spread.

    How effective is Tarceva?

    That hasn't been disclosed yet. The actual details will be released at a medical conference in June. But keep in mind, the definition of "success" for a cancer drug can be quite modest. If it works on just a small percentage of patients or extends life for only a few weeks, that's considered a big breakthrough. In earlier trials, just over 10 percent of the patients were helped at all.

    When will Tarceva be available?

    It's not clear. The tests have been concluded, but the Food and Drug Administration still has to evaluate the results and decide whether to approve the drug. If the FDA approves the drug on schedule, it could be available in 2005.

    Copyright © 2004, Newsday, Inc. | Article licensing and reprint options

    I Cannot Believe This.....

    in MEMBER UPDATES

    Posted

    Fay,

    I cannot believe how a doctor could possible say something like that---unbelievable!! Just chalk this up as the worst bedside manner possible! I am so angry about this .....that I am typing 100 words a minute. I hope you are feeling better now....

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