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So mother has stage iv lung cancer. With matastises in a couple of areas. She has been told she is eligible for a clinical trial. I want to make the right with her. Do we go with the typical three drug treatment, the new three drug treatment from the trial ( the trial is in stage 3), or wait for the genetic testing results to come back? How do we make such a difficult decision?
How long does the genetic testing take to come back?
Can she quit the trial if you feel it's not working and if the genetic testing comes back that another type of chemo would work better for her?
Based on that information I might proceed with the trail.
I know it's a difficult decision and I will pray that you are led to the one that will work best for you.
Blessings to you.
Becky
Dear Niks,
For me the choice was not difficult at all. If you donot you are left standing with empty hands and if you do, you stand a chance. So i choose to participate 2 years ago and the cancer was stabilized, giving me 2 extra years which i otherwise would not have had.
Unfortunately last week i was kicked out of the program because the medicine became ineffective. I am now hoping a second trial will come along and i will jump at once.
Regards
Golfer
Golfer - Which trial were you on? Would like to know in case my sister needs other choices.
Is your mom being offered the PF-02341066 trial? I have been in it for 13 months with great results and I have heard that most participants have done very well. Linnea
Dear Sticktogether,
I was on PF 00299804 with very good results (for 2 years)
Regards
Golfer
BTW--Golfer--I hope you find another treatment that is just as effective--I will be thinking of you. Linnea
Dear Niks.
I was diagnosed with NSCLC StageIV in May 2008.
May 2008 started pallative chemotherapy (Cisplatinum-Navelbine).
September 2008 - gained a partial response.
Feb 2009 scan. Tumour had grown a little.
Feb 2009.Started on Alimta.
June 2009. After 6 cycles had scan. There was partial response.
July 2009 started on Tarceva (Chemo in pill form), taken daily.
No response when scanned late Sept 2009.
Now I am on a fourth line treatment (apparently not always offered) that is Taxotere, I have been on it since the middle of October and have my next dose on November 17th. Just after which, a scan will be taken. I do not know what the result will be, although I am a little confident that this is working as the lymph nodes in my neck are not protruding anymore. My house doctor says that this is a good sign.
Basically Niks, you take what you can, a little chance is better than no chance at all.
I am 56 years old, have two lovely grand daughters ( 6 and 3) and don't plan to go anywhere just yet. I am now looking forward to a big family Christmas, this is due to the treatments, even though they were not that positive in result, but I would have been gone in August 2008 had I not taken them.
My advice, go with it, take what is offered, just like "golfer" we grab at anything.
I wish you all well, loads of luck and remember....stay positive.
XX
It is hard to give much advice on this without much info from what you are concidering specifically. And many people have different opinions on this. First - I would concider how your mom is doing physcially is right now. If you wait to do trials later and are weak, it might be to much for your body to handle and why take the risk. I went with standard care as I was in shock, though healthy and strong. I just didnt know any better and wasnt offered a trial. carbo/taxol didnt work. I then got more proactive and did investigation and 3 other opinons/options, to point of even doing therapy out of town. My brother tis the that found my current trial -BIBF1120 along w Alimta- my onc hadnt mentioned this other Onc in town . its holding my cancer at bay and even showing shrinkage after 3 cycles. My previous onc didnt do genetic testing - this new one did, and it did imply I wouold respond to Alimta - that worked out. I have to admit that my decision wasnt easy - the big what if I choose wrong - but I picked and moved forward with confidence. I asked questions questions quiestions, my poor drs. But I felt in control, informed, etc. And trusted my new onc. ive more thoughts on this, but most of it is the obvious.
good luck
wish I could help more
Thanks everyone! we are trusting God and talking things over with the oncologist.
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