Test results for markers in

[JeanE41]

Yesterday I got the results of the tests for markers on my original lung tumor. It showed an EGFR mutation. The good news is that if the new tumor shows the same mutation, treatment options are expanded. The bad news is that the medication my oncologist is suggesting is too expensive for me even with insurance paying 2/3 of the cost. We will have to discuss all options after my next scan in February. Meanwhile, will keep busy and keep researching the new treatments. Never know what will become available in the next 4 months.

[ThePurplePlace]

Be sure to check with the actual drug manufacturer, most offer assistance programs and some patients are eligible for free meds. Good luck

~ Lisa

[uplockman]

I found a nonprofit funding source here in Texas after a social worker gave me a couple places to get help. Check with your Social Services agency. I take Tarceva which is approximately $7600 a month and I ended up paying $5. The manufacturer also has funding. Hope this helps!

[FtB_Peggy]

Jean, if you still need help - we have resources for financial assistance, just email me at: [e-mail] and I can send those to you.

[JeanE41]

Thank you for all these suggestions. I will certainly look into them when it gets closer to February.

[anrean in reply to JeanE41]

Jean, please don't wait until it gets closer to February. As you start working on it, other avenues begin to open up - it takes a long time sometimes to find the right fit for you. If you begin sooner, you may "fall" into the right option, but that takes time. For me it was years before "falling" into some of the help I needed!

Good luck on this new part of your journey!

Lauri-Anne

[JeanE41 in reply to anrean]

That is good advice. Thank you.

[ThePurplePlace in reply to anrean]

Jean, I totally agree with Lauri-Anne !! It's be very wise to work on all this now. (submit applications and contact the drug companies etc and find out what they will cover). That way you can have everything done and will know exactly what you'll be eligible for in advance. It takes time to submit paperwork and await for everything to be processed and approved.

PS: I am a bit confused as to why you are not starting treatment now? Why wait until February?

Lisa

[JeanE41 in reply to ThePurplePlace]

My original tumors were surgically removed in 2015. I had a lobectomy for adenocarcinoma and a breast lumpectomy for invasive ductal carcinoma. At this point, my current tumor is very small and its etiology is not known. It is very slow growing and too small to show up on a pet scan and located in a place that would be dangerous to biopsy, so we are waiting until February to see what the next scan shows. If it is large enough, further testing will be done to determine the next steps. My oncologist and I are quite sure it is a recurrence of the lung cancer. He had the original tumor from 2015 tested for markers just in case. I'm hoping that in February we will be able to determine what in reality we are dealing with and start treatment.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

JeanE- the program that Lisa mentioned, that is offered by the drug manufacturer? They are very good about helping. It's great that this is also egfr. Which med will you be using?

[JeanE41]

The egfr marker was found in the tumor removed in 2015. The current tumor has not been biopsied yet and probably won't be until FEbruary. If this tumor has the same marker and is not a metastasis from my breast cancer in 2015, he is talking about using Tarceva. It is good to know that there is help out there. Thank you for your info.