A Road Never Before Traveled

[dlvaughn]

Hello, I am a mother of two beautiful women and six amazing grandchildren. My story began when my then 28 year old daughter was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in February 2016. She is doing well. She is ALK positive so her treatment is oral medication. This is a journey I never saw coming and would never choose to travel.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Welcome to the FtB boards. There are others here on Xalkori and caregivers of patients on Xalkori.

I send hope that this works well for her for a very long time.

[JeanE41]

Welcome. This is a wonderful place for information and support. This lung cancer journey is different for each of us and it is a family disease. Your daughter is so fortunate to have you in her corner. I hope your daughter's journey is smooth and her treatment is successful.

I hope you continue to post here, keeping us apprised of your daughter's progress. We learn from each other.

Jean

[dlvaughn in reply to JeanE41]

Thanks. I will. She is having a lot of nausea and vomiting. Anyone got any suggestions for combating this.

[JeanE41 in reply to dlvaughn]

Have you checked with her oncologist? There must be something that can be prescribed to help.

[FtB_Peggy]

dlvaughn, what a touching post you wrote. I am so sorry for all of you.

Thank goodness there is love in your family, and caring support. Please make sure you (or your daughter) contacts her medical team about any side effects she is having - i.e. the nausea you mentioned - they need to know, and know right away, so they can try to ease it (thanks JeanE41). Make sure she is getting plenty of fluids, and that she eats small amounts frequently, rather then trying to eat a full meal 2 or 3 times a day.

Please keep talking to us, it is so good to have you here!

[dlvaughn]

She has two different nausea medications. The one that works best is limited by insurance as to the quantity. Does anyone know any ways around this. The doctor wrote prescription for a larger quantity but insurance will. It approve it. The out of pocket price for the extra pills would be over $200.

[ThePurplePlace]

Hugs to you and your daughter! It always makes me upset and sad whenever insurance plays such a negative role in our care. I'm also one who has "lousy" insurance (large deductible and co-pays) and it's another added struggle to pay for things that can help us feel better.

Some drug manufacturers will offer reduced cost or free meds, if your daughter qualifies. I'm not sure what med she is on, but maybe you can contact that drug maker and see if they offer any assistance programs.

I wish her the very best and hope she continues to do well in this battle. She is so young and my heart goes out to her and everyone battling LC!

Personally, I was not on this same form of Chemo, so I can't really offer any help as far as how to deal with the side effects she is experiencing. In general, with any Chemo, it's vital to stay well hydrated, eat small frequent meals/snacks and rest, For me, Generic Zofran worked best as far the anti-nausea meds, and I do not recall it ever being limited by my insurance. Good Luck

Lisa