Update on Hope

[hope]

Well as many of you know that my right lung tumors are progressing and they have been that way since I failed Abraxane in Dec.2005. They put me on Xeloda but on a real low dose (2,000mg) becasue I was hospitalized last year after taking the full dose. Well I got the results of the last chest CT scan and apparently that is not working also. The good news is that I am eligible for early access program for Lapatinib.

Basically in a nutshell almost my entire right lung is collapsed and they can't even tell what is tumor or consolidation anymore. Previously my biggest right lung tumor masured 8.6 cm. I also have nodules on my pericardium but no heart problems thank god. I have extreme fatigue, some minor chest pains, and shortness of breath but the oxygen helps that. I aso cough a lot more too. They pretty much have to drain plural effusions every two weeks and get around 1L of fluid. Since I am in such a weak condition they don't want to risk putting in a Plurex catheter or get a plurodesis done. Today I even got more bad news they found some cancer cells in my plural fluid and normally the fluid is clear. Luckily my left lung only has really small nodules only measuring <5mm and bones and brain lesion is stable but still have bad radiation necrosis symptoms.

Since right now they really don't have anything else to give me except for Lapatinib, my onc wants to try Aromasin but still wants to give me this with Xeloda. I thought that I wasn't supposed to take along with chemo unless I was ER/PR + but the onc said that since I had <5% ER/PR at diagnosis it was worth a try until I can get Lapatinib. I will still take my weekly Herceptin. I wanted to know what has been your experience with Aromasin? Did your onc give in conjuntion with a chemo and Herceptin? I also have a pallitive care team now working with my onc. at the cancer center I go to. They are trying to minimize my shortness of breath symptoms and anxiety problems. They did mention that I should think about using a morphine like drug in a very small amount to help my shortness of breath. I am very scared to go on this since I associate morphine is something they give you when you are on your deathbed. They assured me that this might help me and not use a large amount so I don't feel lll the time. I don't know what to do on that so I'm asking if anybody has done this for shortness of breath?

I still am fightting for my life eventhough my life is a mess right now. I pray for some guidence right now until I can get on lapatinib. I do have a wonderful support system and some quality of life left but its getting harder every day. Both my friend and daughter live with me and take care of me so that's good. I can still do some things for myself like climb the stairs to my bedroom upstairs, go to the bathroom, and take a shower but I do use a wheelchair for doctor appointments now due to fatigue and shortness of breath. I just have to keep on living life to the fullest. Take Care,Hope