Starting Zometa - B12, Carboplatin/Pemetrexed (Calimta)

ann m
ann m Member Posts: 30
in Lung Cancer #1
Hi, I am new to cancer and to these discussion boards. I was diagnoised a month ago with stage 4. A small tumor on top of my right lung, and one pressing on my spine. They have been addressing the spine with radiation because of worry of compression and I also take a steriod. I'm in my last week of radiation and start Zometa & B12 tomorrow. Carboplatin/Pemetrexed is next week. Besides those two spots there are rice size spots in the left lung and a spot on my right rib, right under my breast. That spot does hurt once in awhile but I have a pain med if I need to take.

I'm a positive person and spiritual person. Along with medical science, I feel I can beat this. But at the same time, I don't know if this has all sunk in yet. I have not broken down and cried which I'm not looking to do either. I have been coming to these boards and reading alot of success stories.

Has anyone done the treatment plan that I will be starting? It seems there are alot of treatment options and it can be confusing. Do treatments change frequently?
I guess, I am looking for any feedback or experiences that you would like to share with me.

Thank you for your time.

Ann

Comments

  • Shiloah29
    Shiloah29 Member Posts: 17
    #2
    New to This Too
    Hello Ann. Don't know if I can be of help to you but my husband had a tumor in his right lung removed last Oct. They found swollen lymph nodes in the chest when they did the surgery and recommended chemo as preventative. After 4 mo. of chemo the PET scan showed three hot spots and one was on his rib, neck and lower back muscle. He did radiation on his neck and that really helped with the pain. His rib is very painful and we have been trying to get his meds. regulated to control his pain. That has not been easy and he is still having pain.Pain really effects your quality of life. I was just reading about Zometa and it sounds like it could help. I plan to ask his doctor about it when we go back this week. He took his B-12 shot last week and is supposed to start Alimta this Wed. I am wondering if radiation would help his rib pain. There are always so many questions and no one to ask. Let us know how the Zometa works and also the Alimta. We will be praying for you and know that others have us in their prayers also.
  • Shiloah29
    Shiloah29 Member Posts: 17
    #3
    Don't know how this posted
    Don't know how this posted twice. Tried to delete one. No luck.
  • NayPaul
    NayPaul Member Posts: 230 Member
    #4
    zometa and xgeva
    my wife has several lesions in her spine, ribs, femur and other. She is asymptomatic. The zometa and her first chemo regiman caused most everything in her bones to disappate. After the cancer started to grow again she is on a different chemo and experimental drug. This doctor suggested she take xgeva instead of zometa. MUCH more expensive and some data that suggests increased longevity. It also seems to be helping the bones stay strong.

    Knowing what I know, I am a big fan of Zometa or Xgeva for those with bone metastis. My wife stays very active lifting weights and walking. We walked 14 mile last Wednesday and walk several miles at least 3-4 days a week with one long walk. We are getting ready for a walking marathon... I know her bones would not have taken this if it were not for zometa and/or xgeva.
  • sleepless in jersey
    sleepless in jersey Member Posts: 185
    #5
    Mom was on same TX
    Mom was on same TX as well. Was DX 1/11 nsclc stage 4 with mets brain,spine & pelvis. Only Whole brain radation no rads anywhere else. Did well with that combo again everybody handles things diffrently, was able to continue on with her everyday scheduele. The TX was once every 3 weeks and after 4 cycles was scans.
    Continue to stay positive it sounds like you have a great attitude keep it going!
  • ann m
    ann m Member Posts: 30
    #6
    Shiloah29 said:

    New to This Too
    Hello Ann. Don't know if I can be of help to you but my husband had a tumor in his right lung removed last Oct. They found swollen lymph nodes in the chest when they did the surgery and recommended chemo as preventative. After 4 mo. of chemo the PET scan showed three hot spots and one was on his rib, neck and lower back muscle. He did radiation on his neck and that really helped with the pain. His rib is very painful and we have been trying to get his meds. regulated to control his pain. That has not been easy and he is still having pain.Pain really effects your quality of life. I was just reading about Zometa and it sounds like it could help. I plan to ask his doctor about it when we go back this week. He took his B-12 shot last week and is supposed to start Alimta this Wed. I am wondering if radiation would help his rib pain. There are always so many questions and no one to ask. Let us know how the Zometa works and also the Alimta. We will be praying for you and know that others have us in their prayers also.

    Hi Shiloah, I hope your
    Hi Shiloah, I hope your husband's Alimta went well today. I just had the B12 & Zometa today. Alimta next week. Pain meds have given me instant relief which they should give your husband. If you get a slow release med, it can last for 12 hrs so you only have to take it twice a day.
    I was given radiation on my spine because it was pressing on the spine but I didn't feel any pain there. They were concerned it could paralize me. The other spot was a tumor that grew on the outside of the back of my neck. My reaction was the alot different. I started feeling pain in my throat and back from the radiation. Tomorrow is my last one. I've had it for 3 weeks now. The pain meds help me with this pain and the cancer pain on my rib. I have heard others say the radiation helped with the cancer pain. Thanks for your prayer. Your in mine as well.
  • ann m
    ann m Member Posts: 30
    #7
    NayPaul said:

    zometa and xgeva
    my wife has several lesions in her spine, ribs, femur and other. She is asymptomatic. The zometa and her first chemo regiman caused most everything in her bones to disappate. After the cancer started to grow again she is on a different chemo and experimental drug. This doctor suggested she take xgeva instead of zometa. MUCH more expensive and some data that suggests increased longevity. It also seems to be helping the bones stay strong.

    Knowing what I know, I am a big fan of Zometa or Xgeva for those with bone metastis. My wife stays very active lifting weights and walking. We walked 14 mile last Wednesday and walk several miles at least 3-4 days a week with one long walk. We are getting ready for a walking marathon... I know her bones would not have taken this if it were not for zometa and/or xgeva.

    Thanks for the feedback.
    Thanks for the feedback. That is great news that the first chemo caused most everything in her bones to disappate. I'm very active as well. How were her side effects during the chemo? Good luck in your walking marathon! That is awesome.
  • ann m
    ann m Member Posts: 30
    #8
    sleepless in jersey said:

    Mom was on same TX
    Mom was on same TX as well. Was DX 1/11 nsclc stage 4 with mets brain,spine & pelvis. Only Whole brain radation no rads anywhere else. Did well with that combo again everybody handles things diffrently, was able to continue on with her everyday scheduele. The TX was once every 3 weeks and after 4 cycles was scans.
    Continue to stay positive it sounds like you have a great attitude keep it going!

    Thanks jersey. Glad your
    Thanks jersey. Glad your Mom handled that combo well. I hope for the same.
  • NayPaul
    NayPaul Member Posts: 230 Member
    #9
    ann m said:

    Thanks for the feedback.
    Thanks for the feedback. That is great news that the first chemo caused most everything in her bones to disappate. I'm very active as well. How were her side effects during the chemo? Good luck in your walking marathon! That is awesome.

    side effects
    Her first regiman was with taxol, avastin, cetuximab and carboplatin. She did well. A little tired and nauseous. And some bone pain after the taxol and zometa.

    Now she is doing the taxotere and she is much more tired although no nausea. She is on xgeva for bones instead of zometa... bone pain after the xgeva and taxotere is about the same as before. But it is taking her longer to recover from the chemo... that is to be expected on second line chemo.

    Stay active... as active as u can. There is no better bone medicine than walking or weightlifting... if your doc allows it.

    Keep us updated.
  • sleepless in jersey
    sleepless in jersey Member Posts: 185
    #10
    ann m said:

    Thanks jersey. Glad your
    Thanks jersey. Glad your Mom handled that combo well. I hope for the same.

    This is probably a
    This is probably a silly question, going to ask anyway you sound like somebody who may possibly use essential oils?
    I do and had asked Mom's Onc. who is asian and she said not for it not against, but cant recommend it since theres been no studies on it. I know a lady who sells young living oils and she swears by it for cancer along with treatments, but we have not tried Mom is to scared. Just wondering. Sorry to have bothered you if you dont use them.
    Take care and Stay Positive!!
  • ann m
    ann m Member Posts: 30
    #11
    sleepless in jersey said:

    This is probably a
    This is probably a silly question, going to ask anyway you sound like somebody who may possibly use essential oils?
    I do and had asked Mom's Onc. who is asian and she said not for it not against, but cant recommend it since theres been no studies on it. I know a lady who sells young living oils and she swears by it for cancer along with treatments, but we have not tried Mom is to scared. Just wondering. Sorry to have bothered you if you dont use them.
    Take care and Stay Positive!!

    Closest to essential oils
    Closest to essential oils for me is aromatherapy. Never really heard of young living oils.
    My radiation doctor is Asian and I'll try to remember to ask her next week.

Discussion Boards