New Med is not so Benign

Journal Entry

Date: June 2, 2013 12:33 PM

Topic: New Med is not so Benign

Dad started taking Tarceva (Erlotinib) about 2 weeks ago.  We were told the side-effects would be less severe than traditional chemo but that he would have to take it for the rest of his life.  Well, within two days he was vomiting and had severe diarrhea.  He was so nauseous he stayed in bed most of the time (accept when in the bathroom) and could not eat or drink anything.  The symptoms subsided a little after a few days but then returned.  This morning June 2nd at around 2:30 AM EDT he had to be taken back to the hospital.  He was vomiting constantly and becoming dehydrated.  He appears to also have an infection as his temperature is rising.

Tarceva extends a lung cancer patients life by an average of only 3.3 months.  With all the side effects it would seem to be 3.3 months of hell.  We are going to talk to Dad’s oncologist and, if Dad agrees, will probably ask to discontinue the treatment.  While I would love any additional time I can have with my father, I don’t want that time to be with him suffering.