luluc Posted April 22, 2004 Share Posted April 22, 2004 My brother has been told to stop the Iressa. It isn't working any longer they said. He has had several side effects to leave since stopping. The swelling has gone down in his face and feet. The other painful and bothersome side effects have stopped. But, the tumors are growing, and have spread. Hospice is being called. If it were I, I would have tried it,too. It can still be a very good answer to many people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted April 22, 2004 Share Posted April 22, 2004 So sorry to hear about your brother. He has had a hard time. You hang in there and keep us posted on how the BOTH of you are doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhutch1366 Posted April 22, 2004 Share Posted April 22, 2004 I'm sorry to hear, luluc. Prayers for strength for you and your brother. XOXOX MaryAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norme Posted April 22, 2004 Share Posted April 22, 2004 Am so sorry the Iressa didn't work. Will be saying extra prayers for your brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted April 22, 2004 Share Posted April 22, 2004 Hi luluc, We haven't met on here yet, but I see you've been on the board for almost a year. I'm sorry to hear this news about your brother. I have a brother and I know how very special they are. God bless you and all your family, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheresaKB Posted April 22, 2004 Share Posted April 22, 2004 Hello, So sorry that Iressa did not work for your brother. Prayers going out for you and your brother. Theresa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luluc Posted April 22, 2004 Author Share Posted April 22, 2004 I don't feel like it didn't work. I am thankful for it. It did for awhile. Then at one of the appointments his onc said that he wouldn't refill his Rx. With this info,he decided to "experiment" with what he had left. He started taking it every other day. The Ct scans did not support the dr's decision at that time. But, he wasn't the one to come up with the idea to begin the Iressa originally. My brother's daughter and I had read about it. His dr. did not know anything about the "new experimental drug" at this point. He told him he had a couple of weeks at best, and suggested a chest tube procedure, if he wanted to stay around an extra couple of weeks. We asked for the Iressa, and with much hesitation on his part agreed to it. He also had to go off of it a couple of others times when in the hospital having some procedures done. That was also a few days. The side effects are not the reason for stopping, the tumor growth is the reason. Everyone who's taking Iressa and doing well, keep doing it until reports or side effects are worse than you can manage with. I believe there is hope still for many. I am glad that it gave us a lot more time. That, and the grace of God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 luluc- Brothers are so very special, and I can tell you are close to yours. I'm sorry for the negative news. Will be praying for you and your brother and family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 Lulu, so sorry about your brother. I agree with you that the Iressa gave him some time. He is in my prayers. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fall54 Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 I am so sorry to hear that treatment is longer working for your brother. As you can see from the picture below the reason I joined this group was my brother. I love him so very much and I know you love yours and have been there for him also. I have to give it to God and get my support through him and the members here. God bless you and your brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerbil runner Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 I'm sorry you and your brother have reached this point. You will be in my prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 So sorry to hear your brother had severe side effects, I hope he and you find peace and comfort Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lea Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 I am so sorry. Hugs to you and your brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carleen Posted April 24, 2004 Share Posted April 24, 2004 Luluc I am sorry that Iressa is no longer benefitting your brother. I will keep you both in my prayers and hope that your brother is comfortable and finds renewed strength. God Bless Carleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjc Posted April 26, 2004 Share Posted April 26, 2004 New info released today about Tarceva may be of some help? Tarceva Extends Survival of Patients with Relapsed Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer -- Only HER1/EGFR-inhibitor to Show Survival Benefit in a Randomized, Controlled Phase III Trial -- MELVILLE, N.Y.; SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.; and BASEL, Switzerland -- April 25, 2004 -- OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:OSIP), Genentech, Inc. (NYSE:DNA), and Roche (SWX Zurich) today announced that a Phase III study of Tarceva™ (erlotinib HCl), an investigational HER1/EGFR-inhibitor agent in previously treated patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), met its primary endpoint of improving overall survival, with patients receiving Tarceva™ living longer than those in the placebo arm of the study. The trial also met secondary endpoints including improving time to symptomatic deterioration, progression-free survival and response rate. OSI will work with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to complete the New Drug Application (NDA) for Tarceva™ during the summer. SEE URL's below: http://nocache.corporate-ir.net/ireye/i ... _id=518844 http://www.gene.com/gene/news/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MO_Sugar Posted April 26, 2004 Share Posted April 26, 2004 My prayers are with you. God Bless, MO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted April 27, 2004 Share Posted April 27, 2004 Sorry to hear about your brothers relapse. I will be thinking about you. Nina, aka Nushka Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KellyB Posted April 27, 2004 Share Posted April 27, 2004 Prayers and hopes for your brother. Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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