Improving Quality of Life during treatments

Hi:

My aunt has just been diagnosed with stage four adenocarcinoma.  The onc has given her 18mths to 2 yrs.  I know from experience with my husband's cancer that you choose hope and go farther.  So, I am currently focusing on what has worked. 

If you or a loved one has recently been thru treatment for an advanced stage of adeno, please let me know what you've experienced.  I find the best resources are right here.  They come from survivors and their caregivers.

Any advice on how to extend her life and quality of life is appreciated.

 Thank you. 

 

 

I have Stage IV non small cell lung cancer, lung and back.    Went to the best treatment available because this was too serious.   We have a major cancer center in Seattle called SCCA, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.   It is made up of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, U of W Medical Center, and Children's Hospital of Seattle.    I have an encologist who specializes in lung cancer and has access to the very latest in treatments plus clinical trial information, plus those who are doing the research.   I started on Tarceva and within 1 month the tumors on backbone and lung were down to "no see."    Sooner that we would have wished, after 5 months, the main tumor in my lung started to not respond to the Tarceva (no side effects for me) and I've now been put on 2 rounds of Carboplatin + Alimta to see what that will do.  We're considering a clincial trial after that with Tarceva plus something (both pills) that may give my Tarceva some muscle.  I went for 2nd opinion with blessing of my encologist and it built confidence that we are going a sensible route.    I suggest getting to a major encology center for specialists and clinical trials.   Managing this disease takes all the help we can get.   I've read about too many experiences on this chatroom that makes me wonder if  my fellow patients are getting valuable treatment.    To get a 2nd opinion from a very reputable encology center, you just get on the internet and contact them.  Insurance will often pay.   They give those opinions all the time.  You just have your info faxed or mailed from your present doctor.   A Lance Armstrong quote got me to make that 2nd opinion appointment.  He said to eat your carrots and get your 2nd opinions all in about the same sentence.   

 

On 7/19/2009 nevah wrote:

I have Stage IV non small cell lung cancer, lung and back.    Went to the best treatment available because this was too serious.   We have a major cancer center in Seattle called SCCA, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.   It is made up of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, U of W Medical Center, and Children's Hospital of Seattle.    I have an encologist who specializes in lung cancer and has access to the very latest in treatments plus clinical trial information, plus those who are doing the research.   I started on Tarceva and within 1 month the tumors on backbone and lung were down to "no see."    Sooner that we would have wished, after 5 months, the main tumor in my lung started to not respond to the Tarceva (no side effects for me) and I've now been put on 2 rounds of Carboplatin + Alimta to see what that will do.  We're considering a clincial trial after that with Tarceva plus something (both pills) that may give my Tarceva some muscle.  I went for 2nd opinion with blessing of my encologist and it built confidence that we are going a sensible route.    I suggest getting to a major encology center for specialists and clinical trials.   Managing this disease takes all the help we can get.   I've read about too many experiences on this chatroom that makes me wonder if  my fellow patients are getting valuable treatment.    To get a 2nd opinion from a very reputable encology center, you just get on the internet and contact them.  Insurance will often pay.   They give those opinions all the time.  You just have your info faxed or mailed from your present doctor.   A Lance Armstrong quote got me to make that 2nd opinion appointment.  He said to eat your carrots and get your 2nd opinions all in about the same sentence.   

I too have lung cancer, stage 4, that has  gone into my rib cage.I have been on tarceva for 1 year and the cancer in  my left lung has cleared, and the cancer in my right lung has been reduced. I have minimal side affects and am able to conduct my life as usual. I would have no problem getting a second opinion if the treatment I am on starts to fail, but I have all the faith I can have in my present oncologist. Have faith, that by itself is a great healer.

 

Glad to hear about another Tarceva success story and that a person has the blessing of faith.    It is quite a healer, knowing that a loving and wise God is in control.   Also, trusting our encologists is another stress reliever.     When I read on here that a patient has had unsuccessful and trying times with chemo and radiation and is then told there is nothing else, and Tarceva is never mentioned, I think:  What is going on?  Have they not heard of Tarceva?   It's second opinion time.    Again, so happy to hear of your Tarceva success.   Mine was very successful (dropped the tumors to unseeable), but the tricky cancer cells started figuring a way to change after only about 5 months.   I'm on Carboplatin + Alimpta for 2 rounds and then hoping to go on a new clinical trial with Tarceva plus something.    They have the trial in Phase 1 right now, meaning they are trying to determine a correct dose of the 2nd drug.   I'm hoping to get in on the Phase 2 of the trial where it is a bit more tried.   The Tarceva had almost no side effects for me and I was hoping for several years on it.   God is in control right now, though, and brings things each day for which I give thanks.

I just got my 49th prescription of Tarceva filled, meaning I am starting my 5th year of Tarceva this week!!  I was diagnosed with Stage 4 NSCLC in Feb 05, have had two brain met surgeries by great neurosurgeons in Tuscaloosa, Al, and have had a bunch of radiation here in Mobile.  I took 5 3 week rounds of Carboplatin and Taxol.  I have had 4 and 1/2 years of mainly great life.  Prayer and faith has played the biggest part.  Tarceva gave me all the side effects, but it has helped give me a good life for a long time.

Ed 

 

On 7/30/2009 egdaph10 wrote:

I just got my 49th prescription of Tarceva filled, meaning I am starting my 5th year of Tarceva this week!!  I was diagnosed with Stage 4 NSCLC in Feb 05, have had two brain met surgeries by great neurosurgeons in Tuscaloosa, Al, and have had a bunch of radiation here in Mobile.  I took 5 3 week rounds of Carboplatin and Taxol.  I have had 4 and 1/2 years of mainly great life.  Prayer and faith has played the biggest part.  Tarceva gave me all the side effects, but it has helped give me a good life for a long time.

Ed 

Praise the lord for your 4 1/2 years.   Thanks for sharing.   Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.  For though art with me, thy rod and they staff they comfort me.   A good life for as long as God needs us here and then on to eternity with a wise and loving heavenly father.    Linda

Ed:

Thanks for the posting.  I'll share this with my aunt.  Glad to see you have hope and live in its wake vs. the opposite.  You are an inspiration.

 

Many blessings,

 

 

Please look up the supplements called AVE and IMMPOWER. They fight cancer and build up the immune system. A lot of research have been done on both of them. I believe that they have helped me along with the Tarceva that I am now on for 1 year. I have lung cancer stage 4 since June 2006. No growth or side effects. CEA levels are very low.