Positive news

[CaroleH1949]

Went to see my husbands oncologist Monday following the recent CT scan. We both went in with intrepidation but the news was fantastic. The tumour has shrunk again and some that had disappeared has not returned.

In January 2017 we were hit with the news that he had lung cancer. It's been a roller coaster for the last 9 months due to the side effects of Gefitinib but this latest news is the reward. It's not a nice drug but it's doing it's job in his fight against the cancer. My husbands positive attitude right from the beginning has been fantastic too.

Today is his 70th birthday so we are off out to celebrate his birthday and the latest news about his cancer.

Hope you all have a great day too.

[hedgehoggy]

Nice photo of you both. Fantastic news. It will make everyone on here hopeful and happy.

Great news for you both.

Best wishes

Hoggy

[CaroleH1949]

Thank you hedgehoggy x positive thinking all the way x

[SAH1]

Great news, hope you enjoyed your lunch.

[CaroleH1949 in reply to SAH1]

It was a lovely lunch thank you x.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hello CaroleH1949,

this is great news, and what a lovley picture of you both. Enjoy the birthday celebrations

Kind regards

Roy Castle Helpline

[CaroleH1949 in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thank you we will x

[Granscotland]

Great news bet it was the best birthday present ever. Enjoy all the celebrations. Xx

[CaroleH1949 in reply to Granscotland]

It was definately the best birthday present x thank you

[Neil-SueD]

Isn't good news just extra brilliant to receive after being plunged into the horror of becoming one of those people with lung cancer. I completely understand your happiness because Gefitinib has done the same for me and for however long it keeps working (14 months now and counting), I'll be grateful because without it, I wasn't supposed to be here now. I reckon the side-effects are still better than the alternative!

All the best,

Neil

[CaroleH1949 in reply to Neil-SueD]

Exactly what my husband says Gefitinib is a life saver. The side effects are not good but is better than the alternative. A positive attitude helps also. All the best to you too.

Carole.

[JanetteR57]

Well done on progress so far. These new treatments are keeping many patients' LC under control and in the meantime, new combinations and treatments are being created/tested/trialled to give even more hope…. here's to many more coming on stream in future to help many more. good luck to you both.

[CaroleH1949 in reply to JanetteR57]

Thank you Janette that's exactly how we think. This drug is doings it's job at the moment but when it stops there are others waiting in the wings to be tried. It's amazing how things have changed in the last few years.

[JanetteR57 in reply to CaroleH1949]

My diagnosis was in Jan 2011, after fundraising for RCLCF and attending a conference of theirs and meeting an inspiring LC patient advocate, Lyn Barrington who suggested I could be doing more with my experience, I applied to get more involved. In Nov 2013 I was appointed to the NCRI Clinical studies group for lung cancer and I sit on the CRUK Stratified Medicine Programme 2(Lung matrix) board. In the last few years, so much more has been discovered about the different types, mutations and responses for each as well as new ways of surgery, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, chemo/biologicals and multiple trials underway globally to try and beat/manage this condition. I've just returned from a cancer conference in Madrid (ESMO) where 24000 delegates from around the world attended to learn about research into all types of cancer and again, some breaking research news about trials and treatments for lung cancer. What we also need is much greater awareness amongst the general population including employers, banks/insurers etc that it's no longer all doom and gloom. Many of the internet statistics are years out of date so they need to catch up so the financial impact isn't such a burden at what is a difficult time of life. best wishes for a more positive future. x

[CaroleH1949 in reply to JanetteR57]

Thank you that is very informative. My husband agreed right at the start of his diagnoses to become involved in the research trials in Wales. This meant extra biopsies being taken, blood tests and they recently collected sputum. They said that the sputum will be tested in the hope that they will be able to give less people a biopsy, if they can get the information needed from the sputum. My husband found the biopsy from the lung the worst experience and if it helps less people having to go through that it would be great.

[JanetteR57 in reply to CaroleH1949]

I've had several bronchoscopies in my 'journey' for biopsies but not experienced needle biopsy. I was interested to learn at the conference that as well as exploring the viability of liquid biopsies (sputum, blood due to circulating tumour cells), they're also exploring nasal epithelium extraction (like the swab in the mouth for DNA) - all of which are designed to be less invasive/difficult for patients. Almost 3 years ago I attended a conference where they were using sniffer dogs and developing electronic 'noses' to detect cancer in the breath and although in early stages, some ay go onto commercial development for more to experience the benefits. All these 'small' changes collectively should improve outcomes for others - and is why it's so important that if patients are undergoing trials that they record and report back any side effects accurately to help the future treatment designs. pleased to hear he's involved in the trials in Wales. best wishes to you both.