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Posted by Deanna on 5/19/2008, 10:47 pm, in reply to "Hi Deanna.............................................................."
99.249.196.218
Thanks Diane;
That is helpful information although we are not yet hearing the words palliative, is that because I"m not listening or asking the right questions? I mean I do know that the intention of treatment at this time is to control not to cure, but I guess I thought that if one chemo drug becomes resistant, then they try another. Similar to infections/antibiotics. We thought Xeloda might be working and the dr said that if that is the drug that works then lets save it until we need it. Does that make sense? Is it better to use with more advanced disease then right now when we know the cancer is growing in the lungs. I appreciate your medical experience and your advice which is why I hope you don't mind me asking more questions.
When mom first developed the SOB from the pleural effusion, the respirologist suggested inserting a catheter that would stay insitu for mom to be able to drain at home. The oncologist wanted to try chemo first before the drain was inserted. The chemo worked to dry up the effusion to about 1/3 of her lung cavity from about 2/3 so they were happy to hold off from inserting the drain. Mom had a chest xray done on Friday and although the effusion is still present the dr feels that it is very sticky vs fluid since the xray was done standing and lying and the fluid really didn't shift much in the lying down position. They mentioned that there is new growth of tumors in the right lung, where there is currently no fluid accumulation, so are we just waiting for another pleural effusion to occur or SOB before they would treat again
I love that mom is feeling so well right now, asymptomatic from the cancer and not suffering from the effects from chemo, we both just want to make sure this is the right course of action. Mom has mentioned that she has a whole lot of fight left in her and she wants every opportunity to fight it.
Just a bit of history of mom's treatments thus far: 5 years ago when she was first diagnosed with stage 2 BC, 1 lymph node involved, ER+ PR-
she was given FEC chemo regime for 6 courses, then was put on Tomoxifen. After 2 years of tomoxifen the dr switched her to Aromasin cuz of the weight gain on tomoxifen concerned him. 2 years later she found a lump in her clavicle and was switched to Femera and 30 rads, then 9 months later it is in her lungs and she was given Taxotere 7 doses, Xeloda 2 doses then switched to Gemzar for 5. Now she is not taking anything. Should we be suggesting another hormone type therapy or is that futile since the 3 already tried didn't work.
Your advice and imput is so greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for responding.
Deanna
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