I was diagnosed last year with NSCLC and completed 12, 3 weekly cycles of intravenous Pemetrexed, Carboplatin & Avastin chemotherapy. This proved very successful and stopped the tumour from progressing further. Due the success I was then placed on a maintenance programme using just Avastin and Pemetrexed intravenously, again on a 3 weekly cycle.
Just before Christmas my lung filled with fluid, which was drained. Unfortunately it filled with fluid again so we were advised to have a pleural effusion. The pleurodesis operation went ahead and seemed to be a success, my breathing improved and my cough stopped.
At the beginning of last week I began to feel slightly unwell and was admitted to hospital where it was discovered I had an infection. This was treated over the course of a week with intravenous antibiotics. Whilst in hospital an Xray and scan were taken which showed my lung was once again full of fluid, therefore the pleurodesis has not been a success. My tumour also showed signs of growth.
My husband and I are obviously devastated with this news. It was a terribly shock that we were not remotely prepared for. We were led to believe by the oncologist that as my body was responding so well to the maintenance programme and original chemotherapy I would be able to remain on this treatment indefinitely.
I am now back where I stated, I have lost my drive, positivity and motivation and am terribly afraid. We have a young teenage daughter still at school and I cannot find the right words to tell her yet.
I was released from hospital today and have an appointment with the oncologist tomorrow. He wants to talk about the possibility of putting me on Tarceva. I do not know very much about this treatment.
Is there any advice anyone could possibly give me, or is there anyone in a similar situation to me. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Regards, Tallulah x
Personalised Cancer Detection Methods - Molecular Profiling
