Gemzar and Brain Mets - Cancer: Lung Message Board

HELLASRULES · 10-15-2007, 05:15 PM

Hi Everyone
Has anyone been treated with Gemzar for their lung cancer and had brain bets also?
I just had an MRI of my brain and the mets there have been stable for 2 months, so they think the Gemzar has kept them in check. I'll get a re-check in 2 months.
I've always heard/thought that chemo had no effect on brain tumors, from what I've read???? OR do you think the Gemzar may have some effect and could possibly have even more of an effect on them?
Just curious.
I don't even know if it's working on the lung cancer or the other mets yet, as those still haven't been re-checked. So far I've only had 3 treatments with the gemzar, with another this week and one nexk week. Then one week off. Yippee!
Thanks.
Faith
(I say.....Prayer Works! PTL!)

rockie · 10-15-2007, 09:01 PM

Dearest Faith,
Bud was a Gemzar success story. That was one of two first-line chemo agents he took. It put his NSCLC into remission. Then came a series of although not successful, at least not total losses (except for the Tarceva) as they held things in check, but did not show that solid progress the Gemzar did. In the end, when his LC was stage 4, again they put him on Gemzar and BINGO, it did its job again. Bud had the bone mets that did not respond to treatment. I strongly, thoroughly believe that in the end, the mets were in the brain (I don't know if you remember me talking about the hallucinations he was having about the bear in our living room, and the Indian brave, and he thought the house was haunted because he thought the lights were going on and off on their own), and by then, he just could not fight any longer. Faith, you are so strong. Be happy to know that the Gemzar is a good chemo agent. I know that the side-effects are tough -- fatigue to the max, sensitivity to sun (Bud could get a sun-burn going from the house to the shed), shot taste buds, and one good side effect -- he never went bald on Gemzar. His 5th line was Gemzar with Carboplatin and Avastin. I believe the Avastin kicked the Gemzar in and got the foot in the door, so to speak. I think about you all of the time and just want you to LIVE Faith. LIVE!!!!

Love you and I keep you close to my heart and hold you up to the Lord in prayer.

Jan

HELLASRULES · 10-18-2007, 05:49 AM

Thanks Jan
I don't know if the gemzar is doing anything or not at this point. So far on the MRI of my brain. My pain is still the same and cough is still the same, so I use the cough as a meter, since no scans have been done since being on it.
I put my trust in prayer, whether drs believe in it or not.
I don't think I was here when Bud was going through his cancer. I must've come after that. Gosh, living alone, I hope I don't start hallucinating! That could be scary!
well off to chemo....so I better go get ready.
Thank you for the prayers
Faith

Kimslos · 10-18-2007, 09:58 PM

Hi Faith,
I don't come here often as lately everything has been so busy, but there is not a day I don't think about my friends on the posting board. I pray you continue to stay strong and fight! You amaze me every time I read your postings!
I do remember the doctors telling my husband that the chemo does not break the blood brain barrier but then one time they had him on a certain type of chemo (sorry cannot remember which one since he had 5 lines) and the doctor did mention that it would help the brain. It might have been Gemzar if I remember correctly.
And yes, Prayer does work wonders! I wish I lived closer to help you out because I would be at your door step! You keep fighting and I will keep saying prayers for you.
Kim