Sunday, July 8, 2018

A turn for the worse

Just saw my oncologist a few days ago. Not good news.

Lung tumour has grown from 7cm to 11cm.

Cancer spread to ribs and back bone.  Pain felt at bones and ribs making it tricky to sleep.

More coughing.

Right leg involuntary spasm. I have to be very careful walking up and down the stairs.

Immunotherapy has obviously failed.

Next Tuesday I'll be starting a new clinical trial as well as a new targeted therapy drug. Hopefully it will curb the spread of the cancer.

This is a major setback. We had such high hopes for the Immunotherapy drug since I was a 95% match for Prembolizumab. It was extremely disappointing. It didn't help that within the last week I found out that my father also has late stage lung cancer (He smoked for 60 years) and my mom's Alzheimer symptoms has gotten way worse. My husband's uncle has also been diagnosed with lung cancer (also a life long smoker). It just seems to be too much to bear in a few days........

11 comments:

  1. That's tough, here's a gentle hug from England and hoping and praying your new clinical trail and targeted therapy drug get the results. Ruthie

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    1. Thanks Ruthie for your hug! I hope the next drug will get some results too.

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  2. Oh, Nicky. That is heartbreaking all around. Life can be so hard, and this is definitely one of those times. I hope the new drug and clinical trial give you better results. Is your mother in a care home or is your father her caregiver? Do you and your husband have siblings who are near enough to help them? I'm so sorry to hear of these extra burdens. Thinking of you, my friend, and sending good wishes your way.

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    1. Thanks Jenny! My mom and dad live together with no help because my mom refuses to believe that she needs help. We have no extended family nearby unfortunately.

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    2. That makes it hard, when someone in need of help cannot or will not allow it. I'm so sorry.

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  3. I'm so sorry. I'm sending extra prayers your way.

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    1. Thanks Sarah Liz! I'm just trying to take life one step at a time.

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  5. My Husband was on Prembolizumab for 6 months and we really felt it was working, plus not funded in New Zealand. It stopped working apparently back in December. I know how you are feeling as we are going through exactly the same thing. He ended up on steriods which helped with the pain he was in, which apparently was a side effect of the drug. Now has come off the steriods and we are just waiting for our next visit in 3 weeks to see how big the tumors are.

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    1. Thanks Sue for your note. Yes it was really disappointing that Prembo didn't seem to work for me after it seemed to have shrank the lesions in my brain. I'm on a targeted chemo drug right now and waiting for radiotherapy to zap the cancer that has spread to my bones. My bones are in pain too. I'm on steriods too. All the best of luck with your husband and his treatment! I'll definitely pray for him and you. You are not alone.

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