What's on my mind (quite a lot) and what's to come . . .
The drug I'm taking (Tagrisso) has some side effects, and those include these: The first is fatigue and the second involves the GI tract. This second one has disrupted my existence something awful.
Today things are somewhat better. More normal, you might say. But combined with the fatigue, it's over the top. My energy is scarce and brief.
Tuesday, I will hopefully undergo a PET scan. And hopefully that will show that my tumor is shrinking. After all the fuss, it better be smaller!
What I'm most looking forward to is getting my life back so I can carry on in my normal way. That looks pretty distant right now, so I'm hanging on the best I can.
And if you've read all this, thank you so much! My friends are dear to me. 😃
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Fortunately, the side effects will cease when I stop taking the drug.
I will keep you informed.
Not much rhythm to my days right now. And I miss it! I do rest and use what energy I have when I can.
Blessings to you!
A funny side effect story that might be a smile to your face. As you probably remember, in nursing school we get taught that when someone is in a drug study, any symptom they experience while in the study gets reported. I scratched my head in puzzlement when reading that menstrual cramps were a possible side effect of one of the allergy nasal sprays. Seriously? As far as I know, there’s no connection between the nose and the uterus.
Here’s hoping that your innards settle down soon.
Not sure how long I'll have to be on this drug. Someone actually mentioned that I might need to stay on it even after the surgery! Just to mop up any stray cancer cells! I sent a message to my oncologist today to let her know what's happening. I expect to hear from her early next week. So, we'll see.
The Imodium is helping, thank goodness.
Please know we wait with you, worry with you, pray with you and hope with you.
God Speed 
Fingers crossed that your PET scan will be excellent.
Please be gentle with yourself.
I expect it will be. My doctor told me that between 60 and 70% of the people taking this drug for the same reason I am, see their tumors shrink. I fully expect to be in that group.
It actually may sound weird, but I'm not worried. The cancer was discovered very early, before any lymph node involvement.
That is a significant advantage and I was really happy to find that out. I'm sure I'll have scar tissue too; they're planning to remove the top lobe in its entirety in my right lung. I can live with that.
Thanks for your very good words!
I dearly hope you are. I wish I could bring you a nice warm blanket from the dryer, and give you some cocoa and a hug.
Sending healing vibes and lots of love. Hope things get easier very soon.
Sometimes, when you are feeling bad, things suddenly take a turn for the better.
Medicine side effects can be rough, especially GI problems. I understand...GI issues can make you feel like a different person.
But don't let those problems trick you...you are still yourself! You're going through a rough patch, but you are still yourself.
And you're going to feel better!
You sound like a fighter, Peggy. You stay strong...I have a feeling that everything is going to work out.
of the medicine we need.
Please take care - I hope things improve
We ALL hope and pray for your speedy recovery. You ARE a big part of this family here!!
I hope you realize in your times of struggle and frustration, that someone here has you in their thoughts and is sending loving, healing vibes your way. Take care, friend, we're with you.
This place just isn’t the same when you’re not on here as much. If I’m short on time, I always read your postings first.
Those drugs that cure can surely have life disrupting side effects! I totally understand. Hope it’s all over with soon and you’re as good as new!
All sending vibes and blessings your way.
Sorry to hear of the physical side effects. Cancer treatments can be cruel. Here's hoping the nasties will be manageable in the near future and you can put this chapter behind you.
Take care.
but you should be getting very good health news soon, so you can get your normal life back.
Sorry to hear of the side effects of your treatment. Wishing you resolve and strength in your determination to overcome this challenge.
Hang in there!
wrapping you in positive healing love right now. Let me add mine too. Sending my wishes for easing of the pain and Negative side effects and for healing to happen quickly for you.
(something new and different for me, lol) and I'm not sure it paid off, but here goes: I remember an ad for a local dry cleaners that used to appear in our community paper. The ad offered this advice in a blurb at the bottom: "Remember, half of life is showing up." This used to strike me as banal and corny. But over the years, I've learned to apply it to a variety of difficult and complex situations. It keeps me centered and grounded when the anxiety threatens to take over. You are showing up, California Peggy. You are showing up for all your medical treatments. You are doing the very best you can according to the science. And, as a medical professional yourself, I know you believe in that. "Showing up" and having a good attitude are priceless strategies. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, my friend.
because I'm no medical professional, and I haven't faced a challenging medical situation such as yours. I'm just someone who seems to be a canary in a coal mine for experiencing the side effects of medications (less complex than yours, I'm sure). I also seem to have whatever the opposite of a cast-iron stomach is. One thing I've learned from my experiences is "tattle to the doctor". In some cases I've been able to work around side effects via minor changes to the administration schedule. (eg. "it says to take on an empty stomach, but I need to take it with bland food" or "I take it right before bed so the sleepiness etc doesn't bother me"
Not deep advice, but the doctor can judge the payoff between compromising the dosing instructions vs keeping me from puking up all the expensive meds I just swallowed... :-p
Best of luck to you. Take care and don't forget to keep up with whatever self-care keeps your spirits up, too!
whatever is going on, you have all the healing and strong GI energy I can send. (and MFM would surely have enjoyed lounge posts about GI issues so there can even be a positive side to that 
)
May both your tumor and the malignant one occupying the White House shrink and disappear. 
Happy holidays! 
I will keep a good thought and my fingers crossed. You are such a bright light here at DU. I hope it all goes well and Tuesday will bring you (and us!) nothing but good news!
In the meantime, lean on your DU family as much as you need. We are here for you and love you.
All my best,
MIButterfly
