Post by marycorser on Feb 23, 2009 17:14:26 GMT 1
I have just joined this site so am note sure yet how to respond to any messages but I wanted to let you know about my husband's experience with Tarceva.
He was diagnosed with NSLLC in November 2007 and has a pneumonectomy of the left lung in January 2008. He recovered well from this operation and was back at work within about 6 weeks. He then had a course of chemotherapy which was precautionary. Then a lump appeared on the outside of his chest on the right side which he had removed by surgery and then had to have a second course of chemo. Unfortunately during this course he developed pneumonia and was very ill. He was in a high dependency unit for 1 week then a general ward for a 2nd week. This was last October and it really weakened him. He lost a lot of weight. He could not have any more chemo as his immune system was weak so has been taking Tarceva since November.
The main symptoms have been a skin rash which is getting better. The latest CT scan showed no progression in the disease but another lump has appeared on the outside of his chest in exactly the same place from where it was surgically removed last year. This will be treated with radiotherapy tomorrow and the oncologist says it should only take one session.
He has also been on steroids for about 2 weeks now to stimulate his appetite and this has certainly helped. He does seem to be putting on weight. However, for the past week or so he has had a bad cough and is quite breathless, especially when he is speaks and his voice is croakey. He also has a lot of wind and hiccups, all of which is very tedious for him.
Does anyone know whether these symptoms are due to the Tarceva?
Thank you.
He was diagnosed with NSLLC in November 2007 and has a pneumonectomy of the left lung in January 2008. He recovered well from this operation and was back at work within about 6 weeks. He then had a course of chemotherapy which was precautionary. Then a lump appeared on the outside of his chest on the right side which he had removed by surgery and then had to have a second course of chemo. Unfortunately during this course he developed pneumonia and was very ill. He was in a high dependency unit for 1 week then a general ward for a 2nd week. This was last October and it really weakened him. He lost a lot of weight. He could not have any more chemo as his immune system was weak so has been taking Tarceva since November.
The main symptoms have been a skin rash which is getting better. The latest CT scan showed no progression in the disease but another lump has appeared on the outside of his chest in exactly the same place from where it was surgically removed last year. This will be treated with radiotherapy tomorrow and the oncologist says it should only take one session.
He has also been on steroids for about 2 weeks now to stimulate his appetite and this has certainly helped. He does seem to be putting on weight. However, for the past week or so he has had a bad cough and is quite breathless, especially when he is speaks and his voice is croakey. He also has a lot of wind and hiccups, all of which is very tedious for him.
Does anyone know whether these symptoms are due to the Tarceva?
Thank you.