Penelope

Let me know what you'd like to know about me. I will probably answer..A year ago, following seizures, I was diagnosed, after biopsy and CAT scans and an MRI - with stage 1V lung cancer (adenocarcinoma): a tumor in my right lung and two brain metastases. I had gamma laser knife surgery and two sessions of carboplatin & gemcidabine, platinum based drugs. I learned quickly that I could not tolerate steroids and that I was becoming psychotic. After the two chemo sessions, the second without steroids, I was given another CAT scan which showed that the lung tumor was neither larger nor smaller. My lung has not been reexamined since. Since diagnosis, I have had two follow-up MRIs. The most recent MRI, using a new dye, made one tumor appear larger but that may have been the contrast or post-surgical changes. There is another very small spot which may or may not be a new tumor. There were no indications of the smaller tumor which was gamma knifed on the left side of my brain is still there. My neurosurgeon recommends another MRI in four months and that I continue with my current medications. I was allergic to Dilantin also so I was prescribed Keppra instead, first 500 mg. three times a day but later reduced to twice a day. I take Diazepam to avoid seizures but try to rest instead since I do not like the sleepy, drugged feeling. I have a medical marijuana license and enjoy marijuana. I also take two mushroom capsules daily and some red clover stuff in tea and Waiora in my drinking water. I believe in making full disclosure to my doctors Last January (2007), I was given three to four months to live by my oncologist. His estimate is like that in most of the literature I’ve read. In Sept. my oncologist discharged me, saying there was no more he could do for me. Currently, I seem to have no oncologist or neurologist. I live on a remote Hawaiian island. During chemo therapy .treatment I was miserable. I had no appetite and my will to live was questionable although my support system is wonderful. At this time, I feel better every day and my symptoms seem to have decreased. After my second set of seizures, I had synesthesia, was partially incontinent and totally incoherent. As I recovered, I couldn’t type or talk too well. I had hallucinations and heard things and/or saw patterns, artifacts which were not there. Since then, I have had a decrease in the number and severity of my seizures. Since I appear to be beating the statistical odds, someone might be interested. Possibly my treatment plan would help some other people. Thank you for your time and energy,