HulaMom update

maryaz · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:29 pm Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

Hi Hulamom; I can understand just what you meant about 'feeling real'. My life for a while became all sickness and I think it was getting back in my car that made me feel real too. That was several years back.

Anemia seems pretty common among the cancer patients. My husband became anemic and still dealing with it. There is so much that comes up with treatments.

Just think of your life as a point when it is time to change things. My life often changed directions whether a new job, children, whatever.

Exercise. You can also just do some of the Sitting exercises to keep muscles built. Bikes and Treadmills are nice. Do what you like. You could watch TV and do a lot of exercises.

Keep up the good spirit as you can.
_________________
Mary

Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
The Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about9079.html

HulaMom

Latest developments - been having some rather severe lower lumbar back pain which we thought could be one of two things - mets or scoliosis problems left over from a near fatal car wreck. I HAVE lost weight and gee, it could cause trouble if a nerve gets pinched. So after my CT scan yesterday, my doc ordered a bone scan today. CT scan results are in and the good news is the lungs are good, stable, nothing growing. The back seems ok but won't know until Monday for sure. Bad news is the Tarceva did nothing except cause my hair to thin out, upset my stomach and give me a hell of an acne case! The liver tumor doubled in size. No real surprise to me, I swear I can feel the thing when I lay down.

So, no more Tarceva but we are starting Alimta now. Time for B12 shots and Folic acid pills. I don't look foward to this but what can I do? I still feel like it isn't time to just let go so fight I must. I guess if it gets to be too much I could change my mind, right? For now though, I feel good enough to at least try and battle another round only because chemo really wasn't that bad on me first round. Tarceva wasn't that bad either, it would have been better had it shrunk or at least kept the tumor in check. At least then I would be happy to go through all the side effects. LOL.

Guess when you feel good and aren't in too much pain, the will to survive kicks in and maybe things will change. What I am hoping for is the new chemo will work to at least keep it in check or shrink it down to a point where we can do ablation (sp?) on it. THAT would rock. But as we know, cancer cells start getting resistant to chemo. Let's pray for at least a few more good months!
_________________
47 YOA female. NSCLC IV Squamous cell. dx 7/07. Radiation, chemo (carboplatin/Taxotere). Cancer free 3/08! Cancer mets to liver 12/08. Started Tarceva 1/26/09-4/10/09, liver tumor tripled in size. Started Alimta. Down to 84 pounds! Stopped Alimta and started Gemzar on 5/2. Stopped chemo went into HospiceJuly 24 2009, with prognosis of 3, maybe 4 months left.

dano · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 3:28 am Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

HI Hula!
Well I hope it is good news about you going on Alimta, I'm doing it every 4 weeks now, that extra week has been great, just hope the cancer does not grow. You still sound pretty good, but I do worry about you. I'll be praying for you.
Dan
_________________
55 year old male, Diagnosed Nov. 9,2007 with NSCLC IV with Mets to the lymph's and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08 treatments now every 4 weeks with Alimta, stopped taking Lovenox for blood clots, Now working full time
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993

HulaMom · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 5:06 am Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

Thanks, Dan. I do feel healthy enough for the battle and if we can keep this back pain down to a dull roar, I should stay ok. They found the usual inflammation in my lungs, hopefully this doesn't hurt the chemo start. Blame it on the humidity but I get very congested when the weather is icky like it is. Since we have no Cyberknife here, I am looking to see if insurance will cover a trip to California. Can't go down without a fair fight! lol
_________________
47 YOA female. NSCLC IV Squamous cell. dx 7/07. Radiation, chemo (carboplatin/Taxotere). Cancer free 3/08! Cancer mets to liver 12/08. Started Tarceva 1/26/09-4/10/09, liver tumor tripled in size. Started Alimta. Down to 84 pounds! Stopped Alimta and started Gemzar on 5/2. Stopped chemo went into HospiceJuly 24 2009, with prognosis of 3, maybe 4 months left.

dano · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:22 am Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

Speaking of back pain, Alimta requires the Neulasta shot the following day. And that can give you a real sharp pain in the back normally within a week of the shot. Hope this isn't true for you as it is for me!
Dan
_________________
55 year old male, Diagnosed Nov. 9,2007 with NSCLC IV with Mets to the lymph's and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08 treatments now every 4 weeks with Alimta, stopped taking Lovenox for blood clots, Now working full time
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993

HulaMom · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 12:45 pm Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

Nuelasta usually kills my legs from the hips down - never had back issues but then again, my back wasn't hurting then and that may determine what gets bone pains. Who knows. Am up for the challenge anyway. More worried about the meds frying my lungs. No matter what, me thinks it's gonna be yet another hard battle!
_________________
47 YOA female. NSCLC IV Squamous cell. dx 7/07. Radiation, chemo (carboplatin/Taxotere). Cancer free 3/08! Cancer mets to liver 12/08. Started Tarceva 1/26/09-4/10/09, liver tumor tripled in size. Started Alimta. Down to 84 pounds! Stopped Alimta and started Gemzar on 5/2. Stopped chemo went into HospiceJuly 24 2009, with prognosis of 3, maybe 4 months left.

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 2853

Hi HulaMom!

Oh poop. Sorry to hear about more issues but please know you are in my thoughts. Let's help you kick some cancer butt.

My prayers are with you on this new regimen. Don't forget that my husband was able to end-around the resistance thing by moving onto different types of chemo -- some with a great deal of success and not too hard on him!!

Keep a sharp eye out for any breathing deterioration from the Alimta. It can be a bear for some patients even when it is working.

Having fun yet?

Hugs,
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

dano · Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:21 am Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

Aloha Hula!
Stopping by to say Hi and want to see how you are doing. You have not been buzzing around on the forum so it worries me, hope your ok.
God Bless
Dan
_________________
55 year old male, Diagnosed Nov. 9,2007 with NSCLC IV with Mets to the lymph's and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08 treatments now every 4 weeks with Alimta, stopped taking Lovenox for blood clots, Now working full time
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993

HulaMom · Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 4:54 pm Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

Been a dit down with ear issues - plugged up sinuses from weather/allergies. Running temp of 100. and thought they were going to put off chemo. I can now feel the liver tumor when I lay down so I was getting scared. We did the Alimta yesterday, the ugly shot comes today. THAT was clear me off the board for a week! I do still read, just post less. Thanks for asking, just typical head cold/allergy
_________________
47 YOA female. NSCLC IV Squamous cell. dx 7/07. Radiation, chemo (carboplatin/Taxotere). Cancer free 3/08! Cancer mets to liver 12/08. Started Tarceva 1/26/09-4/10/09, liver tumor tripled in size. Started Alimta. Down to 84 pounds! Stopped Alimta and started Gemzar on 5/2. Stopped chemo went into HospiceJuly 24 2009, with prognosis of 3, maybe 4 months left.

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 2853

Hi Hulamom,

Is anything really "typical" anymore? You are one brave lady. I salute you and ask God to bless you on this regimen.

Hugs,
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

mcw · Regular Joined: 25 Jan 2009 Posts: 47

Deleted

HulaMom · Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:18 am Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

Thanks guys. Went from feeling very tired today to worse. Head cold, ear infection and now it wants to run to my chest. I KNEW I was gonna get it but at least I got the chemo first. That liver tumor is big enough to feel now! There wasn't going to be an option of waiting off if I had any say so, would rather fight this cold WITH the chemo than have the tumor really take off running! But, as always, I know you all are good for prayers and I so willingly beg for them, as I am now. LOL. Pray. And I will keep praying for all of you who are going thru this, in whatever stage/capacity you are in. It's one wild ride, isn't it? Rolling Eyes

_________________
47 YOA female. NSCLC IV Squamous cell. dx 7/07. Radiation, chemo (carboplatin/Taxotere). Cancer free 3/08! Cancer mets to liver 12/08. Started Tarceva 1/26/09-4/10/09, liver tumor tripled in size. Started Alimta. Down to 84 pounds! Stopped Alimta and started Gemzar on 5/2. Stopped chemo went into HospiceJuly 24 2009, with prognosis of 3, maybe 4 months left.

dano · Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 10:06 am Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

Hula
You just earned the Cancer Forums Gold Glove award, because I swear you catch every thing that comes near you! Sending lots of love and prayers your way so you can get better soon.
God Bless
Dan
_________________
55 year old male, Diagnosed Nov. 9,2007 with NSCLC IV with Mets to the lymph's and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08 treatments now every 4 weeks with Alimta, stopped taking Lovenox for blood clots, Now working full time
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993

HulaMom · Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 2:02 pm Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

LOL at Dan. But it is true. Only have a partially working spleen thanks to a car wreck so even before the cancer, I was a walking toxic dump of contagion! This hit sudden too. Tuesday I woke with a slightly stuffed ear, like you might get from allergies. Wednesday I got my Neulasta. By yesterday, fever, chills and general misery. I hate general misery! So the doc realized I really wasn't up to the challenge of rrush hour traffic to get to Straub and called in some Avelox. He had said if i got worse I would have to tolerate a trip to either his office or to Pali Momi. Heck, I woke up feeling WORLDS better! Doc just called to check on me and I told him I felt just as good as last week, albeit stuffy. LOL.

Yep, always did believe I caught everything in the air. USED to fight it off though since my job entailed seeing nothing but sick or hurt people and hanging out in ER's. Paramedics get exposed to it all. One with barely a spleen CATCHES it all. Could be why I only miss certain aspects of the job! Hehehehe.

So for now, this miracle antibiotic, after 2 pills, has me pretty much feeling human again! Hubby noticed last night that I was more "animated" than before so it took 1 pill to turn me around. Good stuff, glad I got insurance!!

Thanks,
Tracy
_________________
47 YOA female. NSCLC IV Squamous cell. dx 7/07. Radiation, chemo (carboplatin/Taxotere). Cancer free 3/08! Cancer mets to liver 12/08. Started Tarceva 1/26/09-4/10/09, liver tumor tripled in size. Started Alimta. Down to 84 pounds! Stopped Alimta and started Gemzar on 5/2. Stopped chemo went into HospiceJuly 24 2009, with prognosis of 3, maybe 4 months left.

dano · Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 7:29 am Post subject: Re: HulaMom update

Hi there Hula!
dropping in to check up on you, hope you are feeling some what better. Work has been slow for me so I've been kicking around. Called my ENT doc yesterday to see if I could get in while I wasn't working and I did. My ears are bothering me and I wanted to get some treatment to help and also I knew he got the reports from the scans I had done last week, part of reason for the scans was the sinus pressure I was having with out drainage. He was able to share that the scans were all positive and all is well. Good news I like to hear. Hey if you feel well enough have your hubby bring you by where I'm camping this next weekend at Bellows, I'll have some of my bread there! Hope you are up to a ride, get out into some good fresh air. Hope all is well! Come by for lunch at camp and I'll make you some awesome toasted cheese sandwich with my home made bread!
God Bless
Dan
_________________
55 year old male, Diagnosed Nov. 9,2007 with NSCLC IV with Mets to the lymph's and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08 treatments now every 4 weeks with Alimta, stopped taking Lovenox for blood clots, Now working full time
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993

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