marion Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 I have had chronic bronchitis ever since I was 5 years old. I am now 63 and have had numerous cases of pneumonia and of course scaring on lungs. In Nov.2003 I was diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. Left lung, one lymph node, spine and left hip. Started carboplatin and gemzar on Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Was suppose to do treatment once a week for 3 weeks, off two and start again. I may have completed one cycle but I would have trouble with blood or platlets and always was missing treatments even though I was taking Procrit every week. This continued until the first week in July 2004, when I had a PET scan and the places on hip and spine were gone and the activiity on lung and lymph node had decreased. On August 4, I started Iressa. Acne, rough skin,diaharea (spelling) and lost of appetite. Toward the end of the month, I believe my appetite was beginning to get better. Took last pill on Sept. 2 (daddy's birthday) and had PET scan on Sept 7. All places had disappeared so i feel like he will keep me on Iressa. I will see him this Thursday and see what's up. Here is the KLINKER: In March 2003, I had ruptured appendicitis and was operated on, the four hole deal, and was in hospital a week. As summer wore on, I knew I wasn't as strong but I thought that was due to the operation and taking longer to recover because of my age. In Aug. I found a hernia near my naval and had that taken care of the last of Sept and from the x rays at that time was when all of this started. When I got my records and took them to UVA for a second opinion and was reading the reports I noticed that one report dated in March 2003, when I had the appendicitis, stated that there was a spot on my lung that should be watched if it wasn't and of course no one told me this. I just wonder if it had been caught at that time; would it have spread so much. So no matter how many times you go to a doctor or x rayed; it sometimes slips on by. Marion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 It sounds like you have really been through the ringer. I am so glad that the meds are working so well for you but I can imagine how you feel knowing that it was there earlier. Medical science isn't really a science some times...its an art. If you don't have the right artist they sometimes don't see the whole picture at one time. I wish you continued success with Iressa. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HickoryC Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Very happy to hear the meds are working so well for you. The "March of '03 detection but nothing done" event is indeed quite disturbing. Wishing you a full recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hebbie Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Marion, Thrilled to hear that the Iressa is working it's magic for you. Oddly enough, I too had my appendix out about 8 months prior to LC diagnoses, and found out later that a CT Scan had picked up a "shadow" on my lung that warrented further testing, but I was never told. What is it about those appendectomy docs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Hi, Marion! Your story is similar to my wife's. She was diagnosed two years ago with NSCLC, Stage IV, with metastasis to five bone areas. She was a non-smoker, but had asthma as a child, and lots of allergy problems. She started out with Taxotere/Carboplatin and radiation, which took care of everything for about a year. She took Iressa for about a month,but it caused pneumonia, so she was taken off that. She took Zometa for bone mets for a while and then they switched her to Aredia. She is presently taking Navelbine for new spots. Glad you have joined us. Best to you. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 hi marion, welcome to the board. i'm glad to see that iressa is working well for you, and i hope that continues to do so. God bless, mj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DebsSky Posted September 13, 2004 Share Posted September 13, 2004 Hi Marion: Welcome, eventhough I am a newcomer as well. I hope all goes well for you. I know the doctors can think they are God sometimes, but keep the faith. God bless and prayers for all, Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marion Posted September 13, 2004 Author Share Posted September 13, 2004 I want to thank all of you for your replies. In my case, it wasn't only the appendectomy doctor but also my pulmonary doctor that let this slip by. But my onc did say after all of this started and I griping about this; that he didn't know if I would have been a candidate for surgery or not. Of course all of this floored my family. I have an 80 year old husband, who still works every day and a 28 year old daughter and a 2 year 9 month granddaughter that told her mother today that she had a granny who loved her very much. I just hope I can hang on to watch her grow up.Marion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 Welcome, Marion, I understand the question you are having about how things might have worked out had the cancer been treated earlier. I allow myself to ask those questions sometimes, too, but I don't focus on them too long. I have limited energy so I have to spend it doing what you are doing...dealing with what IS right now. And I'm keeping all of my movable body parts crossed that Iressa continues to work it's magic on you for many years to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MayFrog Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 Welcome, Marion Seems like you've been through the mill lately.....so glad the Iressa is working.....hope to see you often. Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tess Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 It sounds like you have a guardian angel looking out for you! Too bad the Doctors don't pay attention to the details! You have been thru a lot and I just have a feeling you are going to pull thru this like a trooper! God HAS blessed you! Tess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJAS Posted September 20, 2004 Share Posted September 20, 2004 Marion, There are so many of us with "what if" questions due to a misdiagnosis - glad to know there are some doctors on here too. Many they can help get the word out. Sorry you had to end up here, but this is a place where lots of caring people will be here to help in any way they can. Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.