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So confused...is it a done deal?

BonBon555
  • By BonBon555
  • Posted September 15, 2009 at 2:24 pm · 4 replies
  • In Nutrition
  • Shared with the public
0 Recommendations

My good friend was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. After 2 rounds of chemo they decided to halt it as it wasn't working. The cancer spread to the stomach and the lymph nodes. Even though they doubt tarceva would work, they gave it to her for the pain. (She is going to Sloane in NY)

She is having trouble getting nutrition as she has a lot of stomach pain and it's hard getting down the throat. Any ideas for nutrition would be appreciated. Also, has anyone known anyone where chemo was pulled so early on and if they are surviving or not?

Explore topics in this discussion:

Cancer Pain Tarceva Lung cancer

4 replies

cards7up

Hi, sorry to hear about your friend. You have come to the right place for help and support. I would recommend having a biopsy done and sent for an assay/sensitivty test. I will put the site at the end. She or someone else should call them and see if her insurance will cover it. Sloan is usually pretty good. Tarceva is a maintenance drug, not a pain drug. When was she dx and what chemo has she already had?
Take care, JC
http://www.rationaltherapeutics.com/default.aspx

Granny888

Early on is not necessary for survival. I'm nslc stage IV, started with a large primary and several mets including liver and right hip and it all visually disappeared in less than 6 months. THAT has not returned, other mets have. Chemo again, At some point I can start tarceva, that could give me a year or two or more on top of -- whenever. It's been 16 months now.
And there are a lot of possible chemos, more coming all the time. When one doesn't work, onto another -- or have an assay done unfortunately all insurance doesn't cover it, it will actually tell which chemos will work on which cancers.

linbur

My husbands doctor told him to try baby food. It is very nutritious and usually easy to swallow and digest.

chessie-too

My all time favorite is Campbell's Chicken Noodle soup (the original kind). I practically lived on it when first diagnosed. It goes down easy and tastes good too. You might also try some of the Jello sugar free puddings; they come in all kinds now. Buttered noodles are good. Anything without sugar to help keep up her strength.

And I wouldn't be too quick to discount the tarceva. It may turn out to be the answer. I've been on it over 2 1/2 years and it's a great chemo. But of course there are no guarantees since everyone is different. I pray it works well for her.

Good luck and God Bless

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