AdaW Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 Dear Friends, We met with a new oncologist today. He is Dr. Burris who works with LC specialist Dr. Greco at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The meeting went so well. It looks like I will be starting a clinical trial of Taxotere and Topetecan (sp.) as early as Monday. First I have to have a CT/PET scan tomorrow to determine if the pain in my hip is from cancer. I'll have more details at the end of this week. About IRESSA: I was on IRESSA exactly one month when it was determined that it wasn't working for me. One of my doctors told me that it can be determined after only 15 days whether IRESSA is working or not. That's not exactly true and I wanted to clarify this so that I'm not giving out incorrect information. My IRESSA was discontinued prematurely, I think. It seems that for some people who are going to have tumor shrinkage with IRESSA, it can be determined very early on whether or not the drug is working. For others, their tumors will grow at first and then stabalize. People need to be on IRESSA more than one month in order to determine if they are among those whose tumors will shrink or stablize. Either outcome would have been acceptable to me. Dr. Burris is having a pathologist check my original tumor slide to actually see if I am a good candidate for IRESSA, something no one did for me before. Just thought I'd let you know this new information. Ada Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 Dear Ada, Thank you being your usual thoughtful self and posting the information on Iressa. Good news about your starting the clinical trial! Hooray! Your new onc really sounds up-to-the-minute...glad you liked him. Take care! Am praying daily for you and your hubby. Still no news on test results. Will let you know. The Bluegrass Festival was absolutely wonderful...great music performed in a beautiful Columbia Gorge setting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathy Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 Thank you Ada, I hope you find some relief with everything that is going on now with you. The best of luck to you with the clinical trial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 Hi Ada, That's such good news about the new chemo trial. HOORAY, YIPPEE!! I hope your feeling better with all that you have been going through the last few weeks. You are ALWAYS in my Prayers. I am so happy that you are pleased with your new Onc. Doc. He sounds very positive and hopeful. Take care my dear, and as always I'm sending you a Hugs. (((((ADA))))) Warm and Gentle Hugs, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim'sKathy Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 Ada- Thanks for the info- Tim has been on Iressa for 3 weeks tomorrow...his onc is going to see him on 8/11, but only for a follow-up. From what I have read, Iressa can take anywhere from 4-8 weeks to start working. Hope his onc gives this a chance.... Hopefully they can put you back on it...other than being fatigued (which I think is leftovers from the Carbo/Taxol and the radiation he is having to his spine and the Zometa)..and a bit of diarrhea, which is managed by Immodium AD...he is doing ok.... Praying for you ! Kathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 Ada, thanks for that clarification. I personally thought that one month was on awfully short time to test out anything. Appreciate your concern for the rest of us. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norme Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 Ada, You are going through a lot my friend... yesterday when Buddy was getting his first round of Taxotere, the nurse went over some side effects and one was swelling in the joints and joint pain. Maybe the Iressa gave you joint pain to the hip.....all these meds have side effects that we don't think about later when the aches start. We have to remember, they are killing not just the bad but the good also.... Hope things start going your way now.....you deserve it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlton Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 Thank you for the info on iressa. Happy for you that you were accepted for clinical trail. Keep us posted as to results and good luck to you. Carlton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdaW Posted July 31, 2003 Author Share Posted July 31, 2003 Dear Friends, Thanks for all the postive thoughts. They mean a lot to me. Today was one of my worst days in the 2 years that I have been living with lc. The last pain pills I could take were given to me at 6:30 this morning. My scans were at 1:30. Laying in a stiff position for several hours was almost unbearable and getting off the scanning table just made me cry buckets. I told the techs--forgive me, you are meeting me at the lowest point in my life. Well, my dear husband met me after the scan with a big cup of water and 2 pain pills. He is a saint. I was able to calm down considerably and we drove the 4 hours home. We have a heated seat on my side of the car, so it was like being on a heating pad--and the pills kicked in. I am feeling so much better tonight. We will know something by Friday. I feel very hopeful about my treatment plan. I know I'm probably never going to be "cured," but who knows. Right now, I would like my quality of life back. Thinking of all of you and grateful for your friendship, Ada Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pritchie Posted July 31, 2003 Share Posted July 31, 2003 Ada, Sorry you had to endure the pain but happy that your husband knew what to do. I hope that the new treatment goes well and you feel better real soon. Sending positive thoughts you way. Pamela Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolsdaughter Posted July 31, 2003 Share Posted July 31, 2003 Dear Ada, I sincerely pray that they find something that works really GOOD for YOU. When you described what you had to go through it really made me sad that you are having to deal with so much. I also have heated seats and duel air controls in my car. When I took my mom for her treatments she liked it turned to 75 degrees with the seat heater on. It was March and a little cool here then. I'm glad that your hubby was there with your pain pills and water when you could have them. You are right your hubby is a saint! I think that the technicians have got to be some of the most compassionate people around. They see most people at their lowest point and your lowest point is probably close to others best behavior. Ada you are a real GEM Have a Great nights sleep and I will be praying for great results from the test today. Prayers and Hugs, Shelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rinksgal Posted July 31, 2003 Share Posted July 31, 2003 Ada, My heart goes out to you!! You always offer so much of yourself on this site I had to respond to wish you well!! Here I worry about Darrell having to ride an hour to all of his appointments, I can't even begin to imagine how bad a 4 hour ride was for you!! Sounds like you have a great husband, who knew just what you'd need!! I hope I can be as insightful for Darrell!! My prayers are with you and your husband!! Christy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted July 31, 2003 Share Posted July 31, 2003 Ada, I am so sorry that you are going through these painful periods. (((ADA))) Thank goodness for the new clinical trial. I will be praying that this gives you some immediate relief! You are in my prayers, Peg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayroy Posted July 31, 2003 Share Posted July 31, 2003 Good luck on the new clinical trial. Hope it goes well! Thanks for the info on iressa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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