Lifelong non-smoker with possible lung cancer

PBJ Austin

Thanks Mark
Thank you for sharing your story Mark, although I must admit this makes me very nervous. The doctor is saying it's unlikely I have cancer but he can't rule it out 100%. After reading your story I'm beginning to wonder if it is likely.

When the broncoscopy came back negative the doctor put me on antibiotics for 2 weeks. I was so hopeful this would work but the mass did not shrink. After the broncoscopy they sent samples for testing for infection and fungus, but that testing takes 4 weeks so the results will be in next week. If I test positive for infection or fungus I will be treated accordingly. But if those tests are negative they recommend either the EBUS or surgical removal of the mass. I am so confused, I don't know which of these to do. I'm tempted to have the surgery just to get this over with, but that would mean losing a piece of my lung.

If anyone has any input regarding surgery vs EBUS I would be most grateful.

PBJ Austin

PBJ Austin said:

Thanks Mark
Thank you for sharing your story Mark, although I must admit this makes me very nervous. The doctor is saying it's unlikely I have cancer but he can't rule it out 100%. After reading your story I'm beginning to wonder if it is likely.

When the broncoscopy came back negative the doctor put me on antibiotics for 2 weeks. I was so hopeful this would work but the mass did not shrink. After the broncoscopy they sent samples for testing for infection and fungus, but that testing takes 4 weeks so the results will be in next week. If I test positive for infection or fungus I will be treated accordingly. But if those tests are negative they recommend either the EBUS or surgical removal of the mass. I am so confused, I don't know which of these to do. I'm tempted to have the surgery just to get this over with, but that would mean losing a piece of my lung.

If anyone has any input regarding surgery vs EBUS I would be most grateful.

What were your symptoms?
Mark, what were your symptoms before being diagnosed?

Thanks, and all the best to you.

MarkHongKong

PBJ Austin said:

What were your symptoms?
Mark, what were your symptoms before being diagnosed?

Thanks, and all the best to you.

PBJ Austin
Hi

I just had a persistent cough and mild wheezing on occasions.

I was diagnosed first with bronchitis and then with adult onset asthma. It was only after the PET scan that they declared I had stage 4 lung cancer.

I am in totally good health - never been to hospital before. I have only a persistent dry cough. I work out 3-4 times a week still - I walk miles a day and don't get out of breath.

I came to New York last week as I don't trust the diganosis given to me as a result of the PET scan findings only - especially given that I've had no confirmed cancerous biopsies as yet. The Hong Kong hospital should not have told me I had cancer until a biopsy was definitive for cancer.

PBJ Austin

MarkHongKong said:

PBJ Austin
Hi

I just had a persistent cough and mild wheezing on occasions.

I was diagnosed first with bronchitis and then with adult onset asthma. It was only after the PET scan that they declared I had stage 4 lung cancer.

I am in totally good health - never been to hospital before. I have only a persistent dry cough. I work out 3-4 times a week still - I walk miles a day and don't get out of breath.

I came to New York last week as I don't trust the diganosis given to me as a result of the PET scan findings only - especially given that I've had no confirmed cancerous biopsies as yet. The Hong Kong hospital should not have told me I had cancer until a biopsy was definitive for cancer.

I agree, they should not
I agree, they should not have told you that, just as the ER doctor should not have told me he was 90% sure I had cancer just based on a CT scan. Mark, please post back with your results as soon as you get a chance. Of course I will be thinking of you and everyone else on this board.

MarkHongKong

PBJ Austin said:

I agree, they should not
I agree, they should not have told you that, just as the ER doctor should not have told me he was 90% sure I had cancer just based on a CT scan. Mark, please post back with your results as soon as you get a chance. Of course I will be thinking of you and everyone else on this board.

Thank you
PBJ - likewise, all the best to you.

I will definitely post my results - they should be available late next week.

Fingers crossed for you and everyone else.

MarkHongKong

MarkHongKong said:

Thank you
PBJ - likewise, all the best to you.

I will definitely post my results - they should be available late next week.

Fingers crossed for you and everyone else.

I received my results today
I received my results today and as promised, sharing with those on this forum.

I was diagnosed with stage 3 adenocarcinoma of the lung, with spread to the mediastinal lymph nodes.

Although i'd rather have been told it not cancer or that I was a surgical candidate, i'm feeling much better than i was when i was told "stage 4 with a few weeks to live" prognosis a month ago .... I have the opportunity, drive and determination to fight .....having the opportunity to fight this is precious in itself.

As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a special gift - that's why they call it the present" ... These words become even more powerful on days like today .... and I'm regarding the special gift as something I need to earn and win, it's no longer simply a given .... and fight to win I will.

Best of luck to everyone ...

Mark

PBJ Austin

MarkHongKong said:

I received my results today
I received my results today and as promised, sharing with those on this forum.

I was diagnosed with stage 3 adenocarcinoma of the lung, with spread to the mediastinal lymph nodes.

Although i'd rather have been told it not cancer or that I was a surgical candidate, i'm feeling much better than i was when i was told "stage 4 with a few weeks to live" prognosis a month ago .... I have the opportunity, drive and determination to fight .....having the opportunity to fight this is precious in itself.

As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a special gift - that's why they call it the present" ... These words become even more powerful on days like today .... and I'm regarding the special gift as something I need to earn and win, it's no longer simply a given .... and fight to win I will.

Best of luck to everyone ...

Mark

Mark,
I am so very sorry to learn that you do indeed have cancer but I admire your spirit to fight. I hope you will stay in touch and I wish you the very best.

MarkHongKong

PBJ Austin said:

Mark,
I am so very sorry to learn that you do indeed have cancer but I admire your spirit to fight. I hope you will stay in touch and I wish you the very best.

Thank you
PBJ - thank you! I will certainly stay in touch and will post status updates!

Good luck for your results in the comings days/week(s)

Unknown

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

PBJ Austin

MarkHongKong said:

Thank you
PBJ - thank you! I will certainly stay in touch and will post status updates!

Good luck for your results in the comings days/week(s)

UPDATE
Hi all,

I've mentioned my condition in other discussions but I just realized I never updated this thread. In case anyone is still wondering here's how it all played out.

I had more testing indcluding the EBUS and a PET scan. They finally determined I do not have cancer so they were going to do further testing and try to treat me w/meds. But things took a bad turn, as I developed pneumonia and started coughing up blood and other weird stuff. The doctor got worried and did the lobecomy as I was getting sicker by the day. In the end they found a severe bacterial infection and nobody can explain how the bacteria got there. Additionally the lung had adhered to the chest wall so they had to scrape it off. Instead of the usual 3 hours my surgery took 7 hours. The surgery was on 9/4 and I am still recovering but back at work.

I will remain a member of this forum because I believe I can help others with questions about the testing process and the lobectomy. You are all in my heart, my thoughts and prayers.