Tarceva

Hi all,

I have been on Tarceva for 6 months for nsclc, after 3 months my cancers (both lungs) had stopped growing, but after 6 months the right lung has grown half a centimeter.  Dr. said not to get discouraged but to try for another 3 months and then there were other options to try.  I have much faith in God and so am resigned to whatever the future holds for me.  Sometimes I wonder why some of these drugs work so well with others and do not work at all for some.  My side effects have been miner and I had a small rash, some fatigue and hair loss, but over all have not affected me too much and the quality of life has been good.  Good luck to all of you and do not get discouraged, God will take care of us when we can no longer take care of ourselves.  God bless you all, reading other messages makes me feel not so alone and I know all of you know how we each feel.  Many of your messages hae left me with hope and courage.

On 7/22/2009 bonnaj wrote:

Hi all,

I have been on Tarceva for 6 months for nsclc, after 3 months my cancers (both lungs) had stopped growing, but after 6 months the right lung has grown half a centimeter.  Dr. said not to get discouraged but to try for another 3 months and then there were other options to try.  I have much faith in God and so am resigned to whatever the future holds for me.  Sometimes I wonder why some of these drugs work so well with others and do not work at all for some.  My side effects have been miner and I had a small rash, some fatigue and hair loss, but over all have not affected me too much and the quality of life has been good.  Good luck to all of you and do not get discouraged, God will take care of us when we can no longer take care of ourselves.  God bless you all, reading other messages makes me feel not so alone and I know all of you know how we each feel.  Many of your messages hae left me with hope and courage.

God is in control.   Glad you have the assurance of knowing that.  It's good to be in God's family, all the blessings from that.  He'll supply all our need according to his riches in glory.    My Tarceva for Stage IV worked well for 5 months and then one of the tumors began to grow.  My encologist did the same thing.   I had the same advantage of having the Tarceva drop my tumors back to about nothing so that bought a lot of time.  He had me stay with the gentle Tarceva for another 3 months.  I'm now on Carboplatin + Alimta via infusion for 2 3-week rounds.  Then we'll see what that does.  Also, we're considering going on a clincial trial with Tarceva plus something that is also a pill.   There should be a Phase 2 trial coming up within the next 6 months.    My encologist and the one where I went for a 2nd opinion just because they say that is the wise thing to do, said I still have MANY options.   Life here on earth is but a vapor and when God calls me home, that's just fine/great with me.   I'm learning to bring to God my fears about going through this cancer thing and get peace about it.   He will take care of me.   Parting from family is always full of emotion and I don't wants, but it has to happen some time.    Our 5 children and many family and friends are being great and we're all building memories.    Many cancer patients remark how the cancer adventure actually makes them enjoy and appreciate each day and use each day.    We're all doing that around this household.  God bless you. 

You have a good positive attitude and your faith.   That's half the battle. 

Like Nevah said, God will take us through it. 

I was diagnosed October 2006 with nsclc, tumors in both lungs, inoperable.  I started on Tarceva and have been on it ever since.  I still work full time (I do take an occasional day off sometimes if I get too tired) but for the most part my quality of life is very good.

Tarceva has eliminated all the tumors except the primary and we're working on that. 

Just don't give up. 

God Bless

I have lung cancer as well. If there was a god cancer would not exist.

If praying did any good people would not be dying from cancer AIDS starvation etc every day

Hi...I just filled my 49th prescription of Tarceva.  That means I just started my 5th year of Tarceva.  I was diagnosed with Stage lV lung cancer in February 05.  A brain met came through my skull, and that was how the lung cancer was discovered.  I was operated on by a neurosurgeon in Tuscaloosa, Al, and the wound was radiated after a couple of weeks.  The brain met was removed.  I had Carboplatin and Taxol then for 5 three week rounds.  I had radiation to a lower spin met, and a couple of those in lymp nodes in my chest.  In July 05 I started Tarceva, and had all the side effects described in a big way.  It was sort of miserable for a while, but I got more used to the side effects, and they also dimenished.  I kept getting good reports from my oncologist until Sept 06, and then had a big fast growing brain met which was again removed my great Tuscaloosa, Al neurosurgeon.  The tumor removal area was treated with radiation after a while, and I never stopped Tarceva.  What really helped me was a bunch of great Prayer Warriors all over the country.  When I was fist diagnosed, and the future looked so bleak, I thought of the most ritious folks I knew and called them and asked for their prayers.  I could feel the results it was so powerful.  My life has been good most of the time.  God is good.. really good.  I am a walking symbol of hope.  Remember that this life is just a preparation for eternity, and that is where the real eternal hope is.  I feel so sorry for those do not have God's comfort.   There is an old gospel song, that says, "Whether I go or whether I stay, I'll be ok either way".  That is what we all should attain.

Ed