Hi Everyone, It's been a long couple of months for me and I just felt like writing about it here. I started on Alimta after some progression in March. The first infusion wasn't too bad, although worse than they said it would be. I had mild nausea and threw up once. The second infusion was horrible, rivaling my first line cisplatin/taxotere. I had horrible nausea and vomiting, I couldn't keep anything down, even my pain medicine, so I was also in a lot of pain. I was trying to take the compazine I had left over for nausea, but that was doing nothing. after a little more than a day of this, my husband called the dr. for me, and after waiting a half a day for her to call me back, we got a prescription for some good antinausea meds. They kicked in almost immediately, thank goodness. My third infusion we were prepared for and I started the antinausea meds 6 hrs after leaving chemo. Finally, it was the response that they told me would happen, no nausea (except when I forgot my antinausea meds once), and extreme heavy fatigue. I basically slept for 2 full days and felt like I'd been hit by a truck. I had a CT after 2 infusions and it's good, but not great, hopefully the next one will be a bit better. Thanks for listening. This medication seems to have a wide variety of side effects, I remember reading some of you had a lot of trouble with it and some very little.

On another note, I put a new Avatar up (hopefully it worked). It's a picture of the pond my husband and I just finished in our backyard. It has 6 koi and 2 turtles. If you look carefully on the rock in the middle, you'll see the turtles sunning. It's so peaceful to watch and listen to. I just love it.

51 days until my Alaska cruise, yeah!!
Anne

_________________
"If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

6/30/07 diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC adeno. with met. to spine, hip, shoulder, rib. Back pain severe. Never smoked.
36 at diagnosis with kids age 17 months, 6, and 8 (at time of dx)
7/19/07 1st chemo Cisplatin, Taxotere, Avastin
chemo every 3 weeks for 6 rounds
lung masses shrinking...more than 50% after first 2 rounds, then little by little
11/27/07 started Tarceva or Placebo (clinical trial) daily with continued Avastin every 3 weeks
1/11/08 CT stable, maybe very slight decrease in size
2/25/08 CT stable, bone scan shows healing of compression fracture in L1, bones clearing up except for spine. back pain better, neuropathy much better except for toes, but arthritis like pain in all joints.
4/7/08 CT stable, brain MRI normal (still having headaches)
8/11 CT still stable, 1 mm decrease, bone scan-slight improvement
11/3 CT stable, but original symptoms have been gradually returning
3/9/09 progression in lungs. Off Tarceva/Avastin, will start Alimta 3/13
4/23/09 Brain MRI normal, CT basically stable, 1 mm growth in smallest nodules, larger ones stable. will have 2 more Alimta then check again.
5/15/09 Alimta not working, symptoms worsening
5/27/09 start 3 weeks radiation for pain management.
7/30/09 first Gemcitabine
10/2/09 progression, PICC line put in, start Navelbine tomorrow
12/2/09 2 cycles of navelbine complete, CT shows more progression, PICC line out

Anne-

So sorry you had such a reaction to the Alimta. I was on it for about 7 months and only had fatigue which seemed to be cumulative in nature but not enough to really keep me down. BUT.....you had a decent scan so thats something to party about!!!!!

The pond is beautiful - my husband and I keep saying that after we get rid of our pool we would like to put one in. Altho then it will be so calm and peaceful in our backyard, I will never get him to do anything!!

Hope the rest of your treatments get better and ENJOY YOUR CRUISE!!!

Hugs - Patti B.

_________________
My personal war against cancer:
Stage IV at diagnosis 9/29/06- told 12 months tops.......yeah, right!!!
5 rounds of radiation R hip
15 Whole brain radiation txs 7/20 - 8/7/09
8 weeks on oral Tarceva
To date, 80 IV chemo sessions and still counting
Chemos have consisted of:
Carbo/Taxol/Avastin
Avastin alone
Alimta
weekly Navalbine
weekly Gemzar, now on Gemzar every other week due to blood counts
All my veins have become inaccessible - port installed 12/30/09
Put on Alimta/Avastin as a combo
Currently on Taxotere, on 3 weeks off one

Anne, I think even a little improvement is what you can expect after only a couple of treatments. Hopefully the next will show more bang for your troubles. I never did Alimta but I remember reading several on the site who did--side effects as I recall ranged from not bad to horrible (SandraL I believe). When I was on my big chemo infusions they gave me steroids and Amend before during and after the infusion. It kicked the naseau out but it returned by day 4 and the stuff I had for that never worked well. I feel for you. That naseau is the pits.

Wow, that trip really gives you something to look forward to. My husband wants to come with you.

By the way, the pond is lovely. Wish I could have one but with all our travels, who would take care of it and the poor fish!

Judy in Key West

_________________
Cytology report on fluid removed from lung after pleural effusion and pneumonia Sep 07 showed adenocarcinoma cells. Dx IIIb NSCLC Oct '07 at MDACC, Orlando. Fol 6 rounds Taxol/Carboplatin/Avastin and 2 Avastin, CT/PET 4/1/08 pleural thickening gone and no active cancer cells. 11/3/08 STILL NEVD. CT/PET/MRI 5/4/09 Cancer back, still in the pleura and chest wall, small amt of fluid, all in left lung.
5/11/09 Start on Alimta every three weeks.
7/13/10 Had Alimta on road in Corning NY.
8/24/09 Scans show some improvement. Continue on Alimta.
9/14/09 Chemo on road in Mt Holly NJ.
10/6/09 Started regular Alimta infusions in Key West.
11/3/09 CT and PET scans showed significant improvement. Some issues already resolved.
2/3/2010 No evidence of residual or recurrent disease. NED! Stay on Alimta.
5/6/10 Am considering myself still NED until/unless proven otherwise in July. Rabid radiologist thinks he sees something suggestive of similar to some abdominal cancer. No light up on the PET. Am hoping for the best. Stay on Alimta and scan in 9 wks instead of 3 mos.
7/8/10 Chest CT unchanged (NED Feb '10). Infiltration in the region of the omentum is probably slightly more prominent than before. Diverticulosis requiring antibiotics.
Jul, Aug, Sep, continued Alimta in Corning NY, Portsmouth OH and Mt Holly NJ.
10/14/10 Chest CT unchanged from Feb '10. Findings likely representing progressive nodular peritonal carcinomatosis in the midabdomen. Treatment changed to Tarceva started in Nov.
12/15/10 Chest CT unchanged. Abdomen changes compatible with peritoneal carcinomatosis again identified with mild progression noted.
3/16/11 CT chest unchanged. CT abdomen progression ascites (fluid). Progression of soft tissues nodularity on the peritoneal surface anteriorly with diffuse omental involvement.
4/13-15/11 Hospitalized at MDA. Removed 4 1/2 litres (8-9 lbs) of fluid from abdomen 4/14. Started on taxotere before release on 4/15.
5/16/11 Hospitalized for fever, neutropenic. Treated with intravenous antibiotic and antiviral. Given blood transfusion. Note that KW Cancer Center did not give me my Neulasta shot after my chemo on May 6. Onc had me cancel my 5/26 chemo until after my scan on Jun 6. Was discharged on oxygen. Test w/Dr Gerth 5/26 indicated I could go off sitting and sleeping O. Will do walking test 6/2.
6/2 Did not get requisite numbers on walking test. Left for Orlando 6/5 still on oxygen.
6/6/11 MRI normal; CT stable. Taxotere and Neulasta at MDA 6/7 and 6/8.
6/13/11 Appointment with Dr Olham in KW. Off oxygen week of 6/16.
8/8/11 CT scan showed stable with perhaps some lessening of fluid. Stay on Taxotere.
10/10/11 CT chest still clear, CT abdominal lining stable. Stay on taxotere.
12/19/11 CT chest clear, CT abdominal lining stable, MRI clear. Stay on taxotere.

Hi Anne. Sorry to hear about your troubles with Alimta. I experienced similar so I can empathize with you.

Your pond looks very peaceful. What an awesome job you guys did!

I will bet you are looking forward to your Alaskan cruise. I hope you enjoy every minute of it!

Sandra

I love your new avatar, Anne, BUT I miss seeing your beautiful face How about a picture of the pond with YOU sitting beside it?!?! We, too, have a pond, and there is nothing more relaxing than listening to the waterfall and watcing the birds enjoy it too. NO tadpoles or frogs allowed though. We had frogs ~one IMMENSE one who lived behind the waterfall. Guess what frogs do??? Kill BIRDS. A cute little thing was taking a dip when, out of nowhere comes the frog, and snaps the bird's little head ~ just like that! I know ~ more info than you needed to hear .

I sure hope you can keep that nausea and vomiting under control. Maybe the faigue might improve some as well??? I'll hope for that AND also for major shrinkage of that nasty 'C' we all love to hate!

Thanks for checking in with us. And I'll have my eye out for that NEW pic I know you'll be posting!

Kasey

_________________
Kasey ~ 8 year survivor ~ Stage IIIb 'inoperable' (yea, right!) lung cancer
9/20/04 Dx lc
9/24/04 Bronchoscopy
10/08/04 CT guided needle biopsy
10/14/04 Dx Pancoast tumor - NSCLC 111a(?) - inoperable - incurable
11/02/04 2nd opinion - Sloan-Kettering - concurs with local dx and tx
11/03/04-12/02/04 Radiation x22 chemo x5 taxol/carboplatin
11/04 - 3rd opinion - FoxChase -turned away
11/04 FOUND LCSC & HOPE
11/04 4th opinion NIH - surgery possible
1/04/05 Successful surgery - RU lobectomy - all margins, nodes, and path reports are NEGATIVE
2/05 chemo x2 taxol/carboplatin
3/05 Esophagus stretched twice
4/06/05 bloodwork, chest x-ray, CT scan, PET scan, NED
5/05 2 more esophagus stretches
7/13/05 bloodwork, chest x-ray, CT scan, PET scan, brain MRI, NED
10/05/05 bloodwork, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, NED
1/11/06 bloodwork, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED
4/05/06 bloodwork, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, NED
6/10/06 emergency appendectomy
7/12/06 bloodwork, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED
9/26/06 bloodwork, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, NED
1/10/07 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, CT, PET/CT scan, arm CT, brain MRI, NED
7/11/07 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED
1/9/08 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, CT w/contrast.....mm 'spot' lower right lobe - watch and wait 3 months
4/8/08 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, NED
10/14/08 bloodwork, urinaysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED
4/15/09 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED
10/13/09 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, CT/contrast, NED
4/13-4/15/10 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, CT/contrast, PFT, echocardiogram, EKG, stress test, NED
4/11-4/13/2011 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET scan, CT scan w/contrast, brain MRI, NED
4/16-4/18/2012 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET scan, CT scan w/contrast, brain MRI, NED

Kasey, I will put a new pic of me on soon. OMG I never new frogs did that. We definitely will keep them out!

_________________
"If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

6/30/07 diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC adeno. with met. to spine, hip, shoulder, rib. Back pain severe. Never smoked.
36 at diagnosis with kids age 17 months, 6, and 8 (at time of dx)
7/19/07 1st chemo Cisplatin, Taxotere, Avastin
chemo every 3 weeks for 6 rounds
lung masses shrinking...more than 50% after first 2 rounds, then little by little
11/27/07 started Tarceva or Placebo (clinical trial) daily with continued Avastin every 3 weeks
1/11/08 CT stable, maybe very slight decrease in size
2/25/08 CT stable, bone scan shows healing of compression fracture in L1, bones clearing up except for spine. back pain better, neuropathy much better except for toes, but arthritis like pain in all joints.
4/7/08 CT stable, brain MRI normal (still having headaches)
8/11 CT still stable, 1 mm decrease, bone scan-slight improvement
11/3 CT stable, but original symptoms have been gradually returning
3/9/09 progression in lungs. Off Tarceva/Avastin, will start Alimta 3/13
4/23/09 Brain MRI normal, CT basically stable, 1 mm growth in smallest nodules, larger ones stable. will have 2 more Alimta then check again.
5/15/09 Alimta not working, symptoms worsening
5/27/09 start 3 weeks radiation for pain management.
7/30/09 first Gemcitabine
10/2/09 progression, PICC line put in, start Navelbine tomorrow
12/2/09 2 cycles of navelbine complete, CT shows more progression, PICC line out

Hey Anne.....San Diego is Fred's (DH) and my FAVORITE place of ANYWHERE! He used to visit 4 times a year for work and I got to go on many of those trips. We just LOVE it. Now retired ~ no reason to visit anymore. Hmmmm...............we could visit YOU ! Anyway, can't wait for your new pic! And get rid of those darn frogs too!!!!!

Kasey

_________________
Kasey ~ 8 year survivor ~ Stage IIIb 'inoperable' (yea, right!) lung cancer
9/20/04 Dx lc
9/24/04 Bronchoscopy
10/08/04 CT guided needle biopsy
10/14/04 Dx Pancoast tumor - NSCLC 111a(?) - inoperable - incurable
11/02/04 2nd opinion - Sloan-Kettering - concurs with local dx and tx
11/03/04-12/02/04 Radiation x22 chemo x5 taxol/carboplatin
11/04 - 3rd opinion - FoxChase -turned away
11/04 FOUND LCSC & HOPE
11/04 4th opinion NIH - surgery possible
1/04/05 Successful surgery - RU lobectomy - all margins, nodes, and path reports are NEGATIVE
2/05 chemo x2 taxol/carboplatin
3/05 Esophagus stretched twice
4/06/05 bloodwork, chest x-ray, CT scan, PET scan, NED
5/05 2 more esophagus stretches
7/13/05 bloodwork, chest x-ray, CT scan, PET scan, brain MRI, NED
10/05/05 bloodwork, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, NED
1/11/06 bloodwork, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED
4/05/06 bloodwork, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, NED
6/10/06 emergency appendectomy
7/12/06 bloodwork, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED
9/26/06 bloodwork, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, NED
1/10/07 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, CT, PET/CT scan, arm CT, brain MRI, NED
7/11/07 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED
1/9/08 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, CT w/contrast.....mm 'spot' lower right lobe - watch and wait 3 months
4/8/08 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, NED
10/14/08 bloodwork, urinaysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED
4/15/09 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, NED
10/13/09 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, CT/contrast, NED
4/13-4/15/10 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET/CT scan, brain MRI, CT/contrast, PFT, echocardiogram, EKG, stress test, NED
4/11-4/13/2011 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET scan, CT scan w/contrast, brain MRI, NED
4/16-4/18/2012 bloodwork, urinalysis, chest x-ray, PET scan, CT scan w/contrast, brain MRI, NED