fillise Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 The difference Tarceva has made for my mom has been like night and day. Before the Tarceva she was weak and getting weaker. She was losing weight and sounded like it was hard to even talk on the phone. After 6 weeks on Tarceva she has more energy, is out and about with her friends and sounds much more like her old self when I talk to her on the phone. The difference is just amazing. Her rash has mostly subsided and she has had a few boths with the diarrhea but it hasn't been too severe. Right now she is taking 75 mg per day. She sees the Dr in a couple of weeks and they will discuss bumping up to 100. I know it is different for everyone, but so far we couldn't be more pleased with her response to the Tarceva! Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JB Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 Great News...Tarceva exclusively worked for the better part of 2 years for Col. Even now that she's on Alitma, the onc. has kept her on tarceva. When is works, it works wonders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 Susan, this is wonderful news! Tarceva has been known to give miraculous results for some, hope your mom is on that list. Thanks for sharing this great progress report with us. Hugs, Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calintay Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 Susan, that is great. I am glad that your mom is bouncing back to herself and is out enjoying with her friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovesLife Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 Tarceva rocks! Awesome news that your mom is feeling so much better. What a great update Susan! Hugs, Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb73 Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Susan, I am so very happy to see this very good news on your Mom's response to Tarceva. It's wonderful that she is back to having energy. There is nothing more encouraging than to see one's loved one being able to gain. You and your Mom are in my daily prayers for success. Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 That's great! Sounds like she might have the EGFR mutation. Did I ask you that before? Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaminkw Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Susan, I as well couldn't be more pleased with your mother's response to Tarceva. Having energy to be out and about is so important. You know I watch for your posts for her all the time and this one makes me less terrified of the possibility of going on Tarceva. The rash scares me. I'm reminded that it can calm down once you get on the right dose for awhile. Is she worried about bumping it up again? Keep us posted. Judy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michellep Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 I'm so happy to hear that Tarceva is working well for your mom. We weren't as lucky with my husband. It's very rare but Tarceva can also cause major problems which happened to my husband. Sad to say but with him it reacted like fuel for the cancer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Oh Susand Iam so glad this is working for your mom. All she has been through this is a breath of fresh air that she is up an about... Keep it coming... Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bud Baker Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 That's great news, Susan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 What wonderful news, Susan!!! It is nothing less than amazing that mom has had such improvement. May it continue for a long time. Sorry I missed this earlier in the week - seems again I'm late to the party. But my well wishes are no less heartfelt. Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted February 13, 2010 Author Share Posted February 13, 2010 Thanks everyone! Judy--mom got the rash with a vengence. After only four days her doc said it looks like she had been taking it for two weeks. BUT she had already stopped coughing and was feeling better. He gave her a 10 day break and started her back at 1/2 the full dose, 75 mg. She got the rash again, but it was much kess severe and more manageable. Now it is almost gone and she expects that the doc will bum her up to 100 mg when she sees him this week. Right now, given the difference in the way she feels, she tells me she can handle a little rash! Ned's advice for coping with the rash has been helpful. NED--she hasn't been tested for the EGFR mutation, but I agree that it sounds like she might have it. Michelle--I sure wish the Tarceva had helped your hubby. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolhg Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 It is so good to hear that your mother had such a good response to the Tarceva. Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted February 17, 2010 Author Share Posted February 17, 2010 Mom saw her Onc yesterday and he was very pleased with her progress. He is going to give her 5 more weeks and then do the next set of scans. Mom will turn 80 next week--a birthday we never though she'd see after her Dx. She took her Onc a bottle of champaigne because she said he deserved the presents. She said she though he was going to cry. I'm flying up next Wednesday and we are having a nice family dinner on Thursday (the 25th) to celebrate. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovesLife Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 Susan - your mom is certainly a class act - I am pretty sure that the oncs don't often get gifts to help celebrate their patient's good news and upcoming birthdays! What a special lady. Enjoy the birthday celebration together as a family - can't top the birthday gifts she got this year! Tell her a special "Happy Birthday" from me. Hugs, Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick C Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 da bomb..haha...nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyoung20 Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Susan, I am thrilled to hear this wonderful news. I pray that Tarceva works for her for a very long time!!! Blessings, Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Oh Susan, this is all such wonderful news. Keep it coming. Hugs, Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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