Tuesday, December 9, 2008

There has been a change in my treatment plan and today I had "Tarceva teaching." This treatment is in lieu of chemotherapy. Frankly, I didn't learn much about Tarceva that isn't found on the web. I will be seeing Dr. Dubovsky once a week and I am to report any breathing difficulties to his office immediately. I am left wondering how to determine if I am experiencing trouble breathing, since I have only one lung and it is diseased. I guess I will use my judgment. I will be doing baseline breathing tests at Dr. Scheinberg's office tomorrow, and will begin taking the Tarceva at bedtime tomorrow evening.

Thanks to all you blog commenters, stealth or otherwise.

15 comments:

Lenore and Scott said...

Another update - YIPEEEEE!!! There are few of us (if any) that can begin to imagine the place you are now. Taking a pill seems so much better than "traditional" chemo, but I'm sure that is hardly comforting. But an update from you deserves at least a YIPEEEEE from me. You go girl and you keep going. Thank G-d modern medicine can give you hope and thank G-d you have the strength to keep us all going. Hugs, hugs and more hugs (gentle, of course).

Anonymous said...

Elyse, Thanks for keeping on and no, we cannot even image where you are right now. And thanks for the connection you maintain with so many of us. Love, Wendy

Anonymous said...

Most people are afraid to truly live. That is certainly not you. Keep fighting. I have at least one patient on Tarceva doing quite well.

davedoc

Anonymous said...

Wow, Tarceva.com is a wealth of information, even providing a section for loved ones and friends of those taking it. Maybe all the heavy artillery drug sites do, but since this is virgin territory for this loved one/friend, I'm impressed. Off to read...

Anonymous said...

Thanks for always being there to educate us! You are amazing...making sure we stay informed and well aware of what you are going through. We all will keep our fingers crossed that this new "magic pill" will work wonders with few, if any, side effects. Can you wash it down with Baileys?! I didn't see anything about that on the website.....
xoxoxo
Ann

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting! Let's hope that the pill is more tolerable than chemo and you can start doing more. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong!

Steve Beagle said...

Elyse aka Ali.. just keep fighting and give modern medicine it's chances.. your will to conquer continues to amaze me! Thanks for keeping us informed.

As the great Ali says.."My way of joking is to tell the truth. That's the funniest joke in the world."

LH&P - the Beagles

Ok - time to smile.. You folks seem like you're in the holiday spirit ... did you just come from a Walmart stampede?

It was cold today in New York, am I right? ... Here in New York City today it is colder than a GM Dealership...

instead of a bailout, [automakers] should apply for farm subsidies because of all the lemons they've produced over the years.

How about OJ ... going to prison for 33 years for robbing 2 guys. Legal experts say his only mistake in robbing these two guys? He shoulda killed 'em ... then he'd be playing golf.

This weekend at a Kennedy Center Awards ceremony, Barbra Streisand kissed President George W. Bush. Afterwards Bush said, "Who was that guy?"

Last week, O.J. Simpson was sentenced to up to 33 years in prison for his role in a sports memorabilia robbery. Afterwards, O.J. said, "Let that be a lesson to all you kids out there: stick to double murder."

McDonald’s is reporting that despite the bad economy, their domestic sales were up last month. Which just goes to show you a great thing about our country – you’re never too poor to get fat.

This Sunday in Detroit, a church put an SUV on stage in order to pray for a miracle to help the Big Three automakers. And apparently, there was a miracle: someone bought the SUV.

Paris Hilton is lobbying to play Tinkerbell in a new movie version of Peter Pan. In the Paris Hilton version, Tinkerbell would spread pixie dust as well as a troublesome rash.

Anonymous said...

Tuesday smiles and wishes for an good day. Thanks for sharing and keeping us looped in. Your posts are looked forward to and I thank you for allowing this connection. Here is a qoute that a client used in a school paper I proofed yesterday, it caused me to think of you..."It is our choices, Harry, that show what we really are, far more than our abilities."
Albus Dumbledore
To a women who makes great choices...we send smiles, love and light
D&D

Anonymous said...

Elyse

Thank you for sharing. Keep fighting.

Stan

Anonymous said...

I've been out of town and I hadn't read the blog since before Thanksgiving. I'm not happy with what I now hear. I continue to keep you in my daily prayers and know that none of them go unanswered. However, I don't always understand his plan, not for me to question. I'll continue to storm heaven on your behalf and your family. Chin up whenever possible. Love you, Mary Waggoner

Anonymous said...

Hey! So you took your first pill today. Hopefully it was no big deal and had no nasty after taste. I'm thinking about you today. And the dogs of course. HA. Love ya Bridgette

Unknown said...

You have amazing strength. I hope you feel the positive thoughts all the many people who write here send your way. Your attitude inspires me. Hang in there!
Lisa H.

Unknown said...

Elyse - Let's pray like hell that this stuff is the miracle cure, and that you do not suffer from the possible side effects. As you have said, you need to get better so that you can go out there on behalf of your team of docs and spread the word about this evil disease. Who knows, maybe you can do a commercial about Tarceva.
In the meantime, in the custom of Steve Beagle, here is a news item some of you may have missed:

December 9, 2008

Illinois Guv Offers Senate Seat to Arresting Officer

Daring Escape Attempt Caught on Tape

In what is being called one of the most daring escape attempts in the
history of law enforcement, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich today offered the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama to the FBI agent who took him into Federal custody this morning.
ccording to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, the astonishing escape
attempt occurred moments after Mr. Blagojevich was handcuffed by the agent,who was wearing a wire and captured the entire expletive-laden offer on tape.
"'You can be the [bleeping] junior Senator from [bleeping] Illinois if you let me out of these [bleeping] handcuffs,'" Mr. Fitzgerald read from a transcript. "'And if that mother-[bleeper] Barack Obama tries to [bleep] with me, I'll [bleep] him up.'" According to Mr. Fitzgerald, "When I say bleep,' he didn't really say bleep' on the tape," adding, "I'm going to keep making that joke until one of you [bleepers] laughs at it."
Gov. Blagojevich has been charged with a laundry list of Federal crimes, including stealing his haircut from the dad on "The Brady Bunch."

Anonymous said...

Sunny and 54 degrees in Houston today. Magnificent. Unfortunately, I think our winter blast is heading your way. Elizabeth actually had difficulty getting home last night due to snow HERE! I took a pilates class this morning. 8:15 am, oy vey! Nora Jones CD was delightful and helped me endure all the strenuous stretching. I find myself thinking about you when I exercise, because I know it is something you enjoy. I am going to dedicate all future exercise classes to you, until you can get back to the amazing Lifetime Fitness. Maybe this will get me to the gym more frequently! With every cleansing breath I release, I imagine all the bad "stuff" leaving your lung. Go Tarceva! Hope you had a good day. Love you, Liz

Anonymous said...

yes, you definitely busted me as a stealth blogger. hang in there! and keep blogging! You are in our thoughts and prayers....