Biography

Diagnosed with Stage IV NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer) Thanksgiving 2006. I was given 6 months without chemo, 18 months with it. So I started my adventure. I completed my 4 cycles of Taxol, Carbo, Avastin. My tumor marker went down from 2000 to 14.5! Then I went on Tarceva (Erlotinib) with Avastin as part of a clinical trial. I developed Interstitial Lung Disease, there were over 400 people in my study group and I was the only one to develop this. I was in the hospital for 8 days. So off of that, I stayed on the Avastin which gave me hypertension and severe headaches, therefore it was held often. So, my last PET scan and tumor marker were disappointing. A large new liver tumor with many smaller lesions and a new large lymph node on my pelvis. My marker has doubled in 3 weeks. I started on second-line treatment last Thursday, Alimptor. No side effects! It was a breeze and only took 10 minutes to infuse, as opposed to the 7 hours of chemo last winter. It makes me wonder if it could possibly work if it is so easy. I will have 3 cycles and then another PET scan.

How do I tolerate all of this? My friends and family rock. They are so caring and devoted. i am overwhelmed by medical bills, my two college age kids, and not working. I worry about my family and our home. But my support groups is wonderful. I see a counselor at the Cancer center. She works with my whole family and she is extraordinary. Please all of you, seek counseling if you don’t already see one. Ours is free as part of my care. She is funded by donations.

Cancer Symptoms

Pain. The metastasis is skull, spine, ribs, liver, lung and lymph nodes in chest and pelvis, liver, pelvis, hip. Half of my tongue is paralyzed due to c-spine involvement so talking, chewing, swallowing are difficult.

Surgery Description, Dates & Side Effects

None

Radiation Description, Dates & Side Effects

Weill have gamma Knife radiation to brain lesions

Chemotherapy Description, Dates & Side Effects

Taxol, Carbo, Avastin (pain, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, confusion). Zofran was the BEST anti-nausea drug and I tried them all. Broken pelvic bone, NEUROPATHY (very bad so I am on an anti-seizure drug to control it). Tarceva, Alimptor…

Hormone Therapy Description, Dates & Side Effects

None

Bone Marrow Transplant Description, Dates & Side Effects

None

Immune Therapy Description, Dates & Side Effects

None

Fundraising Description

Friends collected a “Luxury Fund” for me to spend on anything. They wanted me to get massages and nail care but my bones were too fragile for massages, I broke my pelvic bone doing nothing at all. And the neuropathy in my hands and feet was so bad that I couldn’t stand them to be touched. I got many beautiful scarves, a wig, make-up, and took my kids to the movies. I had 3 groups bringing our family dinners

Comments:

I will miss my dear friend.

Posted on July 28, 2009 at 12:40:58 AM by karlak

I miss you.

Posted on July 27, 2009 at 11:54:19 PM by taffsayswhat

OMG i’m in tears. I haven’t logged in for months and I’m in shock right now. I’m at a lost of words. My heart is hurting the last time you and I spoke you were doing ok. I wish I could have talked to you more but I was sick too. I know that you are an angel now. I will think of you, your family and friends now that you are no longer suffering. I love you.

Posted on June 19, 2009 at 6:33:06 PM by assefacalanni

I miss you, Gaile. I still think of you a lot.

Yuyu

Posted on May 21, 2009 at 7:54:32 PM by yuyu

Wondering how you are….. Hope things are gradualing improving.

Posted on April 17, 2009 at 10:24:42 AM by angelwthwingz

I was wondering if you could give us another update on Gaile. How is she feeling? I look every day and night to see some word of encouragement.

Thanks.

Weezie

Posted on April 13, 2009 at 5:25:14 PM by weezie

Hi Gaile; You have always been a great supporter of mine and I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I also have been thinking a lot about you lately, perhaps because I haven’t seen any posts from you in a while. Since the passing of your Dad, how have you been coping? I know your son is home, I think he is still? That must be very comforting for you and your daughter. Also how is the other half behaving? I hope you are getting enough rest and relief from his antics. I know how it is when alcohol takes over the person. It is a very disrupting element in everyday life.
I just wanted to make sure you are alright.
About my scans, you are so dead on there. I really need to address this in June when I next see the Oncologist. I mentioned it to him las time, but stupid me didn’t take my file with me to show him, so now I will just live with the fact that it isn’t. I really need to believe in me and my outcome. I feel fine, except for my siatica and of course my arthritis. I am planning on joining our local Community centre that has a fabulous health centre, with olympic size pool, saunas, whilrpools, two stories of workout equipment, squash, indoor tennis etc. etc. About 30 years ago the provincial govt. was handing out money left and right so this is how such a building came into existence. I really need to make use of it. The building also has a Physio clinic that I have gone to regarding my siatica. Very good as well. Ok, now that I have given you the rundown on my next venture, I better do it! Keep on top of me ok?

Take care Gaile.

Weezie

Posted on March 8, 2009 at 9:39:40 AM by weezie