Gail Redmond Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 My name is Gail Redmond and I was diagnosed with Stage IV Adenocarcinoma, metatastic to both lungs and medistinal lymph nodes, on August 15, 2008. My oncolologist chose to skip chemo and radiation, since my tumor is inoperable. I am on Tarceva and am showing great progress as of my last CT scan on 10/22. Main tumor has shrunk 80%, lymph nodes normal, all other spots have diminished to the " you can see through them" stage. I feel great except for more fatigue than before and very dry skin. I have been very blessed to have been a candidate for this medicine. Though there is no cure, I am enjoying a wonderful quality of life through my treatment and praying for remission someday. My doctor is very hopeful and optimistic since I have responded so well initially. I am a 56 year old wife, mother of 3 beautiful daughters and grandmother of 1 delightful and beautiful granddaughter. I look forward to hearing from other LC patients and survivors and hopefully I can provide some inspiration to others traveling this journey in the same way that I have received inspiration from hundreds since my diagnosis. HOPE is what we all need! Gail [/i] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry's Wife Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Hi Gail. Let me be the first to welcome you to our little family. We have many members on Tarceva. I'm sure they will be chiming in soon. Lots of good information on how to manage Tarceva side effects have already been posted, too. You'll find lots of hope here, Gail. Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce u Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Welcome Gail You may be new but based on your results you can certainly be an inspiration for other's here. Please keep us posted on your progress. There are lots of members here on Tarceva that may be able to help you with any questions you have. A great, supportive group of members here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet B Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Welcome Gail!! You will find this site so supportive and helpful! I am also on Tarceva - I was diagnosed in December of '06 - I did have radiation to my spine and brain - but no surgery and no traditional chemotherapy. I started on 150mg of Tarceva on February 15, 2007 and have been doing wonderfully ever since! Like you I was relatively young, a woman and non-smoker - I also had the EGFR mutation - were you tested for that? I wish you continued success with Tarceva - and look forward to getting to know you through this site. Peace, Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shellit74 Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Welcome to the site Gail! Glad that you are doing well with the Tarceva! Shelli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Hi Gail and Welcome to LCSC. Sorry you have the need to find us, but I'm glad we're here for you. Well you and I have a few things in common. I to was dx.d with Adneo. AND I'm 56 years young as well. I'm very happy to hear your responding so well to Tarceva. HOORAY! We have several of our members that are doing well with it too. I hope you'll stay with us, we're good group of people! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muriel Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Welcome to our group Gail. I'm glad you found us and hope that we can provide some support to you. I'm amazed at how well the tarceva is working for you. Your results are really great. Muriel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsC1210 Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Gail I welcomed you on another post/thread but wanted to say Hello again! Christine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyoung20 Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Hey Gail!!! Those are amazing results. I am so glad to hear you are responding well to Tarceva!! Welcome to our online family!! God Bless! Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyman35 Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Welcome to the group Gail. Happy to hear you are getting such great results. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda74 Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Welcome ......celebrate those results...they are awesome.....stay on this board, you meet the nicest people here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley (MLC) Posted November 19, 2008 Share Posted November 19, 2008 Welcome Gail and congratulations on doing so well with your treatment. Please keep us posted. Shelley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gail Redmond Posted December 1, 2008 Author Share Posted December 1, 2008 Just wanted to thank everyone that has welcomed me to this site. I've been busy with Thanksgiving and haven't had time to sit down and say thanks before now. Also, I've had a little set back with some chest congestion. Doctor prescribed Z-pack and Prednisone which has sent my stomach through some real trials during the last week. Getting better now. I'll have a chest xray next week then a checkup on 12/15. I will not have another scan until Jan. '09. I am so excited to see so many on this site that have or or taking Tarceva. I can't believe how well it is working for me and I pray that it will continue to get me towards remission. I really am watching my diet and staying away from sugar, white flour and all processed foods. I do miss my Diet Coke though but I don't want the artificial sweetners in my body any longer. I truly believe there is a definite connection between cancer and what we eat, breathe and expose our bodies to in this world. I wish I had been awake to this knowledge 20 years ago! I look and feel better than I did before my diagnosis. www.caringbridge.org/visit/gailredmond Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Hi again, Gail, and thanks for the update. When you get a chance, I know the others in the Tarceva Club (current and future) would be interested in the various measures, prescription and over-the-counter, you're using to deal with the infamous Tarceva rash and other side effects. You could even put the highlights in your profile, so the info would be available with all of your posts. There's also a great amount of information on Tarceva at cancergrace.org, for example: http://cancergrace.org/lung/2008/10/22/wird-egfr-rash/ http://cancergrace.org/forums/index.php ... 04#msg2904 http://cancergrace.org/forums/index.php ... 70#msg3170 Glad you're feeling better. Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isunique Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Gail Welcome You won't find a greater group of folks anywhere. Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaminkw Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Gail, I agree with Sara, you won't find a greater group of people anywhere. I'm not on Tarceva but was diagnosed IIIb Adenocarcinoma (IVa in the new staging system) Oct 07 and had traditional chemo. I have been in remission since April 08. I agree also that hope is what it's all about. Judy in Key West Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 Hi Gail, Sorry I am a little late welcoming you to lcsc. I wish you great results on Tarceva. I have been on the drug for 3 years - it has been a wonder drug for me. Keep us posted on how your doing. Wendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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