Uterine Sarcoma may have spread to my lungs, scared about the biopsies surgery on my lung
I had a Pet Scan. It was all clear except for a small spot on my upper left lung and another even smalper spot on my right lung. My oncolgest sent me to a thoracic surgeon to get a needle biopsies but the surgion said my ribs are very tight and the only way to get to the spot on my left lung is by doing a thoracoscopy with a wedge resection under general anesthetic. The oncolgest is very concerned if the sarcoma from my uterine has spread to my lungs and if it has the chemo treatment will have to change from 4 rounds to 8 rounds plus radiation. If it is not cancer then I will start my 4 rounds of chemo every 3 weeks soon.
The surgeon will be doing what is called a thoracoscopy and a wedge resection on my left lung because he feels the spot is a bit larger then on the right lung and closer to the surface to reach.
He will also be putting in a port in my chest for the chemo treatments.
My question is, has anyone here gone thu this type of surgery and can you tell me what to expect? I'm concerned about pain and if I will have trouble breathing when I wake up.
My surgery is on Wednesday Feb. 18th.
I have to admitt I am really scared of another surgery and the findings. 
Comments
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Sending you hugs
Dear Annabella Rose:
Sorry you have to face another bump in the road. I have never had a lung biopsy. However, you may want to go onto the lung cancer formum on this site. They will probably be able to answer most of your questions.
The port insertion is not a big deal. However, I too was upset becasue it was another "procedure" that you have to endure.
Sending you positive thoughts.
My best to you.
Kathy
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Annabella RoseKaleena said:Sending you hugs
Dear Annabella Rose:
Sorry you have to face another bump in the road. I have never had a lung biopsy. However, you may want to go onto the lung cancer formum on this site. They will probably be able to answer most of your questions.
The port insertion is not a big deal. However, I too was upset becasue it was another "procedure" that you have to endure.
Sending you positive thoughts.
My best to you.
Kathy
I am so sorry that you seem to be getting an obstacle in your path with each step you take. I can't help with your question about the lung biopsy but Kathy's suggestion to go to the lung board is a good one. Hopefully it's an active site and someone will be able to help you out.
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Annabella Rose
I saw a thorasic surgeon in September regarding an enlarged lymph node close to the trachea. He said he could do either a thoracotomy or a sternotomy to get to the Lymph node. However he said " is that the right thing to do, because of the type of cancer I have ...UPSC. Meaning that there would probably be growth at another site.
the thoracotomy is when they make an incision on your side and spread the ribs apart to get to the tumors. I have taken care of people who have had thoracotomy. It is a painful procedure. you may have a chest tube afterwards. It does hurt to move and to breathe. I did not want the pain either.
a thorocoscopy is when they insert a scope between the ribs to get to the area to biopsy.
i ended up having 10 SBRT , intense radiation to the lymph node. The intense radiation did shrink that lymph node, but on my 3 month scan it showed a lymph node in my abdomen did increase In size. So we will continue to watch that node.
I hope that all goes well with you surgery on the 18 th. In peace and caring.
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Thank you all for yourRo10 said:Annabella Rose
I saw a thorasic surgeon in September regarding an enlarged lymph node close to the trachea. He said he could do either a thoracotomy or a sternotomy to get to the Lymph node. However he said " is that the right thing to do, because of the type of cancer I have ...UPSC. Meaning that there would probably be growth at another site.
the thoracotomy is when they make an incision on your side and spread the ribs apart to get to the tumors. I have taken care of people who have had thoracotomy. It is a painful procedure. you may have a chest tube afterwards. It does hurt to move and to breathe. I did not want the pain either.
a thorocoscopy is when they insert a scope between the ribs to get to the area to biopsy.
i ended up having 10 SBRT , intense radiation to the lymph node. The intense radiation did shrink that lymph node, but on my 3 month scan it showed a lymph node in my abdomen did increase In size. So we will continue to watch that node.
I hope that all goes well with you surgery on the 18 th. In peace and caring.
Thank you all for your replies! I will try posting this in the lung cancer section to see if anyone there can tell me if they went thru this test.
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Lung Mets and VATS surgeryAnnabella Rose said:Thank you all for your
Thank you all for your replies! I will try posting this in the lung cancer section to see if anyone there can tell me if they went thru this test.
Annabella Rose, so sorry to hear that you are having to deal with lung mets from your uterine cancer. I, too , have been in your shoes and had a bilateral lung wedge resection two years ago. CT scan showed a small met in right and left lung about 2 years after total abdominal hysterectomy for uterine sarcoma - MMMT. Facing the surgery was scary for me as well...none of us likes to face the unknown. After prior surgery, 6 rounds of chemo and brachytherapy, this was another bump in the road that was not as bad as I expected. I had a great thoracic surgeon and spent one night in the hospital in a unit one step below intensive care. There was some pain but with the self drugging was able to get through. Had 3 incisions on each side which healed nicely over time without much pain. You will need someone to help you out for awhile but can't say the recovery was that difficult. since mets were MMMT, followed up with my second goround at chemo and have been NED ever since. There are numerous other women who have gone thru this as well. You can find them by doing a search on the YAHOO MMMT board. I wish you the best on your upcoming surgery and will keep you in my prayers. Think positive about how you will engage in life post-surgery and maybe share your experience with someone else down the road who will be facing the same unknown that we have.
Mary Ann
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Thank you Mary Ann, your postMMMT- SURVIVOR said:Lung Mets and VATS surgery
Annabella Rose, so sorry to hear that you are having to deal with lung mets from your uterine cancer. I, too , have been in your shoes and had a bilateral lung wedge resection two years ago. CT scan showed a small met in right and left lung about 2 years after total abdominal hysterectomy for uterine sarcoma - MMMT. Facing the surgery was scary for me as well...none of us likes to face the unknown. After prior surgery, 6 rounds of chemo and brachytherapy, this was another bump in the road that was not as bad as I expected. I had a great thoracic surgeon and spent one night in the hospital in a unit one step below intensive care. There was some pain but with the self drugging was able to get through. Had 3 incisions on each side which healed nicely over time without much pain. You will need someone to help you out for awhile but can't say the recovery was that difficult. since mets were MMMT, followed up with my second goround at chemo and have been NED ever since. There are numerous other women who have gone thru this as well. You can find them by doing a search on the YAHOO MMMT board. I wish you the best on your upcoming surgery and will keep you in my prayers. Think positive about how you will engage in life post-surgery and maybe share your experience with someone else down the road who will be facing the same unknown that we have.
Mary Ann
Thank you Mary Ann, your post has given me hope that I too will survive this surgery and recovery. May God Bless you for your kindness in sharing.
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SurgeryAnnabella Rose said:Thank you Mary Ann, your post
Thank you Mary Ann, your post has given me hope that I too will survive this surgery and recovery. May God Bless you for your kindness in sharing.
Hope it went well and you are starting to mend. Do let us know how you are when you feel up to it.
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lung surgery went wellConnieSW said:Surgery
Hope it went well and you are starting to mend. Do let us know how you are when you feel up to it.
The surgon said the surgery went well. I stood in the hospital 2 nights. I am still hurting. I feel like I've been kicked in my chest and my side ribs. It felt a bit better after they took out the chest tube. Now the wait for the pathology report.
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Annabella RoseAnnabella Rose said:lung surgery went well
The surgon said the surgery went well. I stood in the hospital 2 nights. I am still hurting. I feel like I've been kicked in my chest and my side ribs. It felt a bit better after they took out the chest tube. Now the wait for the pathology report.
So glad the surgery went well. I don't doubt that you have a lot of pain. I hope they sent you some powerful pain pills. I can't believe you were only in the hospital 2 nights when you had a chest tube. I pray for a good report and comfort for you. In peace and caring.
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Annabella Rose
So glad to hear that the surgery went well and that you are recuperating. You continue to be in my prayers. Please let us know the results of the pathology report. I know how hard it is to live your life on hold but hang in there. Whatever the results, you will make it through and there will be plenty of supporters here to help you face whatever the future brings. All we can do is take one day at a time...
Hugs,
Mary Ann
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Very painful left ShoulderMMMT- SURVIVOR said:Annabella Rose
So glad to hear that the surgery went well and that you are recuperating. You continue to be in my prayers. Please let us know the results of the pathology report. I know how hard it is to live your life on hold but hang in there. Whatever the results, you will make it through and there will be plenty of supporters here to help you face whatever the future brings. All we can do is take one day at a time...
Hugs,
Mary Ann
I had my port put in the same time as the left lung biopsies. My side where they cut me to get at the lung is feeling better each day,but the top of my left shoulder is so painful. The pain starts where the port is and at the top front, back and down into my arm. Did anyone experience this after having their port put in?
I know during surgery they had me lay on my side with my left arm up and out of the way to get to the left lung. I don't know if it being in that position is what is causing the pain or if it's coming from the port.
Its been this bad since waking up from surgery but the pain in my chest and side distracted me from the arm and shoulder pain. Now that that's feeling better I'm realizing the shoulder and arm pain is still there and just as painful as the first day.
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Annabella Rose:Annabella Rose said:Very painful left Shoulder
I had my port put in the same time as the left lung biopsies. My side where they cut me to get at the lung is feeling better each day,but the top of my left shoulder is so painful. The pain starts where the port is and at the top front, back and down into my arm. Did anyone experience this after having their port put in?
I know during surgery they had me lay on my side with my left arm up and out of the way to get to the left lung. I don't know if it being in that position is what is causing the pain or if it's coming from the port.
Its been this bad since waking up from surgery but the pain in my chest and side distracted me from the arm and shoulder pain. Now that that's feeling better I'm realizing the shoulder and arm pain is still there and just as painful as the first day.
You shouldAnnabella Rose:
You should probably call and advise your physician of this. It could feel tender for awhile, but you really shouldn't be feeling actual pain. You have to watch for infection. If you are on pain meds, it could hide a fever. I hope you feel better soon.
Kathy
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Shoulder PainKaleena said:Annabella Rose:
You shouldAnnabella Rose:
You should probably call and advise your physician of this. It could feel tender for awhile, but you really shouldn't be feeling actual pain. You have to watch for infection. If you are on pain meds, it could hide a fever. I hope you feel better soon.
Kathy
Annabella Rose,
I too had shoulder and arm pain after the port was placed. I told someone I thought the pain from having the port installed was worse than pain from the hysterectomy. I couldn't wear a bra for about 10 days but it eventually went away. I don't know if my pain was because I have 3 disc herniations in the neck for which I was advised to have fusions, or because I've also had shoulder surgeries and perhaps placing the port just irritated everything. I had my port removed right after my second anniversary of being NED. You've been through a lot so far, hang in there!
Barb
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Pathology reportMMMT- SURVIVOR said:Annabella Rose
So glad to hear that the surgery went well and that you are recuperating. You continue to be in my prayers. Please let us know the results of the pathology report. I know how hard it is to live your life on hold but hang in there. Whatever the results, you will make it through and there will be plenty of supporters here to help you face whatever the future brings. All we can do is take one day at a time...
Hugs,
Mary Ann
I went to my surgeons office to make sure the pain I am experiencing is normal or not.
He walks in the room and asks, how are you feeling?
I told him I have A lot of pain and I don't know if it's normal. He said, of course it's normal, it's only been a week post op.
Then he goes on and tells me matter of factly that my pathology report had come in that morning and it says that what they took out was benign. I think I was in shock so I looked at my husband and we both looked back at the surgeon and said, what, no cancer? And he said, no cancer in your lung. The pathology report said it was some kind of inflammation but not cancerous.
Wow, we weren't expecting to hear anything from him about my pathology report because in the hospital he told us that he would not be giving me the results when they came in because that's the oncolgests job.
So I'm thankful that I went in to get the pain checked out and then find out that the cancer didn't spread to my lungs. Very Thankful.
I have my appointment with the oncolgest on March 3rd. That's when he is suppose to sit down with us and go over the pathology report. It sure makes me feel better waiting to get the results since the surgeon already told us the good news.
He said, your Doctors will be very happy to get this report. I said, not more then us
My oncolgest had told me at our first meeting that he will never give out pathology reports over the phone because they can be complicated to explain. So when I go in on March 3rd. I pray for no surprises.
I know I will be still getting the chemo for preventative measures. I'm glad the port is in and healing.
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so happy for you!!!!Annabella Rose said:Pathology report
I went to my surgeons office to make sure the pain I am experiencing is normal or not.
He walks in the room and asks, how are you feeling?
I told him I have A lot of pain and I don't know if it's normal. He said, of course it's normal, it's only been a week post op.
Then he goes on and tells me matter of factly that my pathology report had come in that morning and it says that what they took out was benign. I think I was in shock so I looked at my husband and we both looked back at the surgeon and said, what, no cancer? And he said, no cancer in your lung. The pathology report said it was some kind of inflammation but not cancerous.
Wow, we weren't expecting to hear anything from him about my pathology report because in the hospital he told us that he would not be giving me the results when they came in because that's the oncolgests job.
So I'm thankful that I went in to get the pain checked out and then find out that the cancer didn't spread to my lungs. Very Thankful.
I have my appointment with the oncolgest on March 3rd. That's when he is suppose to sit down with us and go over the pathology report. It sure makes me feel better waiting to get the results since the surgeon already told us the good news.
He said, your Doctors will be very happy to get this report. I said, not more then us
My oncolgest had told me at our first meeting that he will never give out pathology reports over the phone because they can be complicated to explain. So when I go in on March 3rd. I pray for no surprises.
I know I will be still getting the chemo for preventative measures. I'm glad the port is in and healing.
so happy for you!!!! finding that out probably will help to diminish any pain you are having. Have a great weekend!
kathy
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Annabella RoseAnnabella Rose said:Pathology report
I went to my surgeons office to make sure the pain I am experiencing is normal or not.
He walks in the room and asks, how are you feeling?
I told him I have A lot of pain and I don't know if it's normal. He said, of course it's normal, it's only been a week post op.
Then he goes on and tells me matter of factly that my pathology report had come in that morning and it says that what they took out was benign. I think I was in shock so I looked at my husband and we both looked back at the surgeon and said, what, no cancer? And he said, no cancer in your lung. The pathology report said it was some kind of inflammation but not cancerous.
Wow, we weren't expecting to hear anything from him about my pathology report because in the hospital he told us that he would not be giving me the results when they came in because that's the oncolgests job.
So I'm thankful that I went in to get the pain checked out and then find out that the cancer didn't spread to my lungs. Very Thankful.
I have my appointment with the oncolgest on March 3rd. That's when he is suppose to sit down with us and go over the pathology report. It sure makes me feel better waiting to get the results since the surgeon already told us the good news.
He said, your Doctors will be very happy to get this report. I said, not more then us
My oncolgest had told me at our first meeting that he will never give out pathology reports over the phone because they can be complicated to explain. So when I go in on March 3rd. I pray for no surprises.
I know I will be still getting the chemo for preventative measures. I'm glad the port is in and healing.
Whaat great news about your pathology. I hope your pain gets better soon. In peace and caring.
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Thank God!!!!!Annabella Rose said:Pathology report
I went to my surgeons office to make sure the pain I am experiencing is normal or not.
He walks in the room and asks, how are you feeling?
I told him I have A lot of pain and I don't know if it's normal. He said, of course it's normal, it's only been a week post op.
Then he goes on and tells me matter of factly that my pathology report had come in that morning and it says that what they took out was benign. I think I was in shock so I looked at my husband and we both looked back at the surgeon and said, what, no cancer? And he said, no cancer in your lung. The pathology report said it was some kind of inflammation but not cancerous.
Wow, we weren't expecting to hear anything from him about my pathology report because in the hospital he told us that he would not be giving me the results when they came in because that's the oncolgests job.
So I'm thankful that I went in to get the pain checked out and then find out that the cancer didn't spread to my lungs. Very Thankful.
I have my appointment with the oncolgest on March 3rd. That's when he is suppose to sit down with us and go over the pathology report. It sure makes me feel better waiting to get the results since the surgeon already told us the good news.
He said, your Doctors will be very happy to get this report. I said, not more then us
My oncolgest had told me at our first meeting that he will never give out pathology reports over the phone because they can be complicated to explain. So when I go in on March 3rd. I pray for no surprises.
I know I will be still getting the chemo for preventative measures. I'm glad the port is in and healing.
Annabella, one hurdle crossed successfully. The next one will be just as successful. Wow! what a relief, I am so happy for you and your husband. God Bless.
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