Possible Lung Cancer - PLEASE HELP I AM SOOO SCARED!!
Comments
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not in chargedaviswarren said:Lung cancer
Hi,
I was dx early this year. Has surg to remove upper left lobe. No lymph involv but was referred to chem and rad as precaution. So far, all is well. Had PET/CT scan today and wait for results. No fear. We're not in charge.
daviswarren,
You are so right, My God is my shield, I do not know the journey I must follow but I hope it will let me know soon. I hope to get confident like yourself, so far I am far from there.
Best of luck on Pet/ct, let us know how it went.
vlash0 -
I'm there too.vlash said:Scared
muskoka1
I know just how you feel. I am asking myself the same questions, the only thing we can do is do our best each day. I pray, I cry, I walk around in a daze. The 5 year thing must be the standard answer, it is the same one I got. I wish with all of my heart that I could help you, at this point we just reach out to others like ouselves and hang on and talk freely because most of the time the family or friends just really want to hear that you feel good today or some other untrue response. What I really want to say is "I just heard that I may die, how do you think I feel?" I will pray for you and think about you when I think about my answer to the most difficult question we must make in this lifetime.
Hang in there and take one day at a time. I just wish I could get the smell of cancer out of my nose, it is the smell of the Chemo room and others around me we all look alike going hairless or trying to wear wigs ugh, is it worth it? Who knows, I guess we will find out in the end. Fight this ugly thing and God willing you can savor anouther year.
Keep in touch, I will try to help.
vlash
I was dx on May 26 with sclc, upper left lung lobe and tumor in the mediasteinum. Not operable but the Onc said if I was going to get a combination of cancer/tumor this wasn't a bad combo to get because the sclc responds well to the chemo. I haven't found the extent of the cancer yet, I'll be having a bone scan and brain scan next week but I did start chemo this week.
I know it can all be really confusing and scary and I just keep tellig myself every day I open my eyes is a day of victory and I'm going to win. I have a great support system in my family and friends and I'm lucky to have pretty OK insurance so I've decided my job it just to fight the good fight as best I know how and that's with faith and humor.
I just finished 3 days of chemo, cisplatin and etoposide and aside from being very tired I'm doing well so far. Now I'm off for 2 weeks and in the meantime I'll meet with the radiologist and see what he has to say.
I have a blog at a different spot and I'm going to start posting it here too because it's sort of my therapy and I try to keep it as lighthearted as I can..I truly believe laughter is the best medicine.
Together we can help and share and encourage each other and this is a super thing!
Sue0 -
NSCLCmamacita5 said:You have come to the right place
I am only about a 1-1/2 months ahead of you on the CT discovery, biopsy, PET scan and confirmation of NSCLC which had me in surgery on May 17th. My 7cm tumor was removed along with 11 lymph nodes and my lower left lung lobe. Three of the nodes tested positive for mets, which took me from stage 1b to 3a. Of course you are scared, me too! I have found that as each day goes by and I keep checking the the discussion group, I gain more confidence in the ability to survive this awful disease. There are many survivors in this group who will give you loving encouragement. Keep checking the discussion group and quit searching all the other "technical medical" sites that will give you statistics that might be outdated or discouraging. I think that as people recover, go into remission, etc they tend to not post as much on the site, so that is why you don't see a lot of posts from people who have survived it for long periods of time. They simply have gone on to live their lives! Hang in there with me please, we have got to keep as positive as possible and support each other.
Anita
I had breast cancer two and a half years ago and felt like I breezed right through that. I had a double mastectomy, which was an easy operation...for me. I didn't have to have chemo or radiation. When they were staging for that they found some tiny spots on my lung. They didn't grow for two years and my oncologist was certain that it was just scar tissue and that once they found something like that they had to watch them for two years. I had scans periodocly. On my last scan, the two years were up, a nodule had grown. They scheduled me for a PET scan and it showed activity. Next step was a biopsy, it was cancer. Then to a lung surgeon who operated on March 1st. He removed my upper right lobe and there were three node involvements. The tumor was 2.3 centimeters. I haven't asked what stage I am. With the breast cancer I wanted to know everything, but not this time. They began radiation along with chemo once a week. I was on Taxol and Carboplatin...a small dose as long as I was doing radiation. After radiation was over (28 times) they gave me a month off and I have just resumed the chemo. I am now doing a full dose of Taxol, Carboplatin and Avastin. This is where I am as of now. I choose to believe that I am going to beat this, I think that is why I don't want stats. I think keeping positive is huge, and you sound like you are doing that. Good luck to you!0 -
Hey sweetheart. First off.
Hey sweetheart. First off. Take a deep breathe. I know you're scared. So am I. Here's my story.
On June 1st I was in your exact shoes. Let me tell you how I got to the place Im in right now.
I've had a chronic cough for years. Im a mother of three and a wife. I don't usually have time to consider my health when I have three little ones to think about. Looking back on it, I realize I should have taken heed to the warning signs. They were there. Anyway. In January, I woke up with a slight pain in my right rib. Thinking I had slept on my headphones AGAIN, I left it alone. However, the pain continued to get worse to where I couldn't sit, stand, stoop, bend, reach, lay down good or even catch my breathe. I researched this online and discovered that I may have broken my rib from coughing so much. So I waited until the pain got too bad. After a few days of this, I caved and went to the ER. After enduring a six hour wait in the ER, and the chest x-ray, the doctor told me they found a mass in my lung. Now here I am, waiting a long six hours for them to tell me this and I didn't come there for that! I wanted to know what the hell was wrong with my ribs!
I was told I needed a CT scan to find out what it was. I don't have insurance so that was out of the question. In the city I live in there is a program called CareLink. It takes forever to get on this thing! It's a medical assistance program where the patient pays so much and the government pays the rest. So while Im trying to get on this, the pain is getting worse. So I go back to the NP. She sends me out to get another x-ray. She gets it back, the mass has gotten bigger. The pain has gotten worse. She sends me to University hospital to get the CT scan. This is a hospital where, unless you are knocking on deaths door, you will endure a wait time exceeding 1 hour to three days! IN THE ER! So I got there, wait two hours, get blood work, get a CT scan, then another chest xray and another CT scan, more blood work, all totaling the alotted 14 hour wait, and threatening to leave several times, I get called to the back and put in isolation. Now no one is telling me what they see, or believe they see on my test results. Mind you Im alone, tired, hungry, cranky as hell and mad because they have me in isolation and not telling me why. I find out two hours later...
They are sending me to the 9th floor, into another isolation room, with a mask on my face. The first thing I do when I see the room is frown. WTH?! Why am I being put into isolation?! The nurse comes in, not a word. She gets my vitals, asks me pertinent questions about family history, my history blah blah blah. Im thinking okay why are you asking me the same question 5 other people just asked me?! My frustration level was so HIGH....
What happened next was so unlike me. The nurse leaves, tells me the doctor will be right in. Now mind you I kept my cool, stayed calm the entire time. Until the doctor stood in front of the door and donned a face mask. The reality of my situation hit me like a ton of bricks! Another nurse behind him put a Precaution sign, and the tears and sobs just consumed me. The doctor came into the room, sat next to me, and put his hand on my shoulder and waited until I stopped crying before he started.
The reason I was put in isolation was because the doctors suspected TB. that set off another wave of tears. He went on to explain that it wasn't TB as they suspected. But they are working hard to find out what it is, blah blah blah.... Now it's Saturday Morning. I'm expecting to go home that day but it was a no go.
So Im transferred to another room, on that same floor. I feel a little better. Not quite all the way. I still have to wait until I get a diagnosis. Im still unable to sleep on my right side, still thinking I broke a rib. Monday morning comes, I see a doctor. Go in to get another CT scan. The doctor comes in that night to tell me to fast the next day. They see some spots on my liver, lung spine, ribs and a few other places. Now I get scared. All my defenses are up. My first initial thought was what the hell is going on?!
the next morning, I fast, wait for someone to come get me. NOTHING. All day I waited. NOTHING. no one came in until 5 p.m. that evening. It's June 1st. The doctor comes in alone. Im there alone myself. The look on her face was scaring me. She sits down. "We have what we believe is a diagnosis. It's cancer." I'm waiting for her to laugh and say, I'm just joking. I'm waiting to wake up and it's a bad dream. But I'm staring at her and I don't know what got into her to tell me this but she says, and this killed me! "The only
time I've ever seen this type is in breast cancer." I nearly fainted!
WHAT?! Breast Cancer?! WTH are you talking about?! I still sit there and say nothing. Im so numb I don't hear most of what she says. I know I heard they call it metastatic because of the way it spread. Instead of telling me I have options, instead of telling me something to give me some type of hope, the first thing she says is the prognosis is one year from initial diagnosis. And that's when it hit me. I was going to die! I called my sister and she cried with me.0 -
someone needs a bedside manner!MissAngee said:Hey sweetheart. First off.
Hey sweetheart. First off. Take a deep breathe. I know you're scared. So am I. Here's my story.
On June 1st I was in your exact shoes. Let me tell you how I got to the place Im in right now.
I've had a chronic cough for years. Im a mother of three and a wife. I don't usually have time to consider my health when I have three little ones to think about. Looking back on it, I realize I should have taken heed to the warning signs. They were there. Anyway. In January, I woke up with a slight pain in my right rib. Thinking I had slept on my headphones AGAIN, I left it alone. However, the pain continued to get worse to where I couldn't sit, stand, stoop, bend, reach, lay down good or even catch my breathe. I researched this online and discovered that I may have broken my rib from coughing so much. So I waited until the pain got too bad. After a few days of this, I caved and went to the ER. After enduring a six hour wait in the ER, and the chest x-ray, the doctor told me they found a mass in my lung. Now here I am, waiting a long six hours for them to tell me this and I didn't come there for that! I wanted to know what the hell was wrong with my ribs!
I was told I needed a CT scan to find out what it was. I don't have insurance so that was out of the question. In the city I live in there is a program called CareLink. It takes forever to get on this thing! It's a medical assistance program where the patient pays so much and the government pays the rest. So while Im trying to get on this, the pain is getting worse. So I go back to the NP. She sends me out to get another x-ray. She gets it back, the mass has gotten bigger. The pain has gotten worse. She sends me to University hospital to get the CT scan. This is a hospital where, unless you are knocking on deaths door, you will endure a wait time exceeding 1 hour to three days! IN THE ER! So I got there, wait two hours, get blood work, get a CT scan, then another chest xray and another CT scan, more blood work, all totaling the alotted 14 hour wait, and threatening to leave several times, I get called to the back and put in isolation. Now no one is telling me what they see, or believe they see on my test results. Mind you Im alone, tired, hungry, cranky as hell and mad because they have me in isolation and not telling me why. I find out two hours later...
They are sending me to the 9th floor, into another isolation room, with a mask on my face. The first thing I do when I see the room is frown. WTH?! Why am I being put into isolation?! The nurse comes in, not a word. She gets my vitals, asks me pertinent questions about family history, my history blah blah blah. Im thinking okay why are you asking me the same question 5 other people just asked me?! My frustration level was so HIGH....
What happened next was so unlike me. The nurse leaves, tells me the doctor will be right in. Now mind you I kept my cool, stayed calm the entire time. Until the doctor stood in front of the door and donned a face mask. The reality of my situation hit me like a ton of bricks! Another nurse behind him put a Precaution sign, and the tears and sobs just consumed me. The doctor came into the room, sat next to me, and put his hand on my shoulder and waited until I stopped crying before he started.
The reason I was put in isolation was because the doctors suspected TB. that set off another wave of tears. He went on to explain that it wasn't TB as they suspected. But they are working hard to find out what it is, blah blah blah.... Now it's Saturday Morning. I'm expecting to go home that day but it was a no go.
So Im transferred to another room, on that same floor. I feel a little better. Not quite all the way. I still have to wait until I get a diagnosis. Im still unable to sleep on my right side, still thinking I broke a rib. Monday morning comes, I see a doctor. Go in to get another CT scan. The doctor comes in that night to tell me to fast the next day. They see some spots on my liver, lung spine, ribs and a few other places. Now I get scared. All my defenses are up. My first initial thought was what the hell is going on?!
the next morning, I fast, wait for someone to come get me. NOTHING. All day I waited. NOTHING. no one came in until 5 p.m. that evening. It's June 1st. The doctor comes in alone. Im there alone myself. The look on her face was scaring me. She sits down. "We have what we believe is a diagnosis. It's cancer." I'm waiting for her to laugh and say, I'm just joking. I'm waiting to wake up and it's a bad dream. But I'm staring at her and I don't know what got into her to tell me this but she says, and this killed me! "The only
time I've ever seen this type is in breast cancer." I nearly fainted!
WHAT?! Breast Cancer?! WTH are you talking about?! I still sit there and say nothing. Im so numb I don't hear most of what she says. I know I heard they call it metastatic because of the way it spread. Instead of telling me I have options, instead of telling me something to give me some type of hope, the first thing she says is the prognosis is one year from initial diagnosis. And that's when it hit me. I was going to die! I called my sister and she cried with me.
Geez! Could she have been a little warmer? One year from diagnosis? Is that some sort of chart she is following? Hmmm. I know money is tight but is it possible to get a second opinion? If not, find out all you can and fight fight fight! And come on this site a lot and read the success stories. You are not alone!
Keep us posted
Medi0 -
Continued.MissAngee said:Hey sweetheart. First off.
Hey sweetheart. First off. Take a deep breathe. I know you're scared. So am I. Here's my story.
On June 1st I was in your exact shoes. Let me tell you how I got to the place Im in right now.
I've had a chronic cough for years. Im a mother of three and a wife. I don't usually have time to consider my health when I have three little ones to think about. Looking back on it, I realize I should have taken heed to the warning signs. They were there. Anyway. In January, I woke up with a slight pain in my right rib. Thinking I had slept on my headphones AGAIN, I left it alone. However, the pain continued to get worse to where I couldn't sit, stand, stoop, bend, reach, lay down good or even catch my breathe. I researched this online and discovered that I may have broken my rib from coughing so much. So I waited until the pain got too bad. After a few days of this, I caved and went to the ER. After enduring a six hour wait in the ER, and the chest x-ray, the doctor told me they found a mass in my lung. Now here I am, waiting a long six hours for them to tell me this and I didn't come there for that! I wanted to know what the hell was wrong with my ribs!
I was told I needed a CT scan to find out what it was. I don't have insurance so that was out of the question. In the city I live in there is a program called CareLink. It takes forever to get on this thing! It's a medical assistance program where the patient pays so much and the government pays the rest. So while Im trying to get on this, the pain is getting worse. So I go back to the NP. She sends me out to get another x-ray. She gets it back, the mass has gotten bigger. The pain has gotten worse. She sends me to University hospital to get the CT scan. This is a hospital where, unless you are knocking on deaths door, you will endure a wait time exceeding 1 hour to three days! IN THE ER! So I got there, wait two hours, get blood work, get a CT scan, then another chest xray and another CT scan, more blood work, all totaling the alotted 14 hour wait, and threatening to leave several times, I get called to the back and put in isolation. Now no one is telling me what they see, or believe they see on my test results. Mind you Im alone, tired, hungry, cranky as hell and mad because they have me in isolation and not telling me why. I find out two hours later...
They are sending me to the 9th floor, into another isolation room, with a mask on my face. The first thing I do when I see the room is frown. WTH?! Why am I being put into isolation?! The nurse comes in, not a word. She gets my vitals, asks me pertinent questions about family history, my history blah blah blah. Im thinking okay why are you asking me the same question 5 other people just asked me?! My frustration level was so HIGH....
What happened next was so unlike me. The nurse leaves, tells me the doctor will be right in. Now mind you I kept my cool, stayed calm the entire time. Until the doctor stood in front of the door and donned a face mask. The reality of my situation hit me like a ton of bricks! Another nurse behind him put a Precaution sign, and the tears and sobs just consumed me. The doctor came into the room, sat next to me, and put his hand on my shoulder and waited until I stopped crying before he started.
The reason I was put in isolation was because the doctors suspected TB. that set off another wave of tears. He went on to explain that it wasn't TB as they suspected. But they are working hard to find out what it is, blah blah blah.... Now it's Saturday Morning. I'm expecting to go home that day but it was a no go.
So Im transferred to another room, on that same floor. I feel a little better. Not quite all the way. I still have to wait until I get a diagnosis. Im still unable to sleep on my right side, still thinking I broke a rib. Monday morning comes, I see a doctor. Go in to get another CT scan. The doctor comes in that night to tell me to fast the next day. They see some spots on my liver, lung spine, ribs and a few other places. Now I get scared. All my defenses are up. My first initial thought was what the hell is going on?!
the next morning, I fast, wait for someone to come get me. NOTHING. All day I waited. NOTHING. no one came in until 5 p.m. that evening. It's June 1st. The doctor comes in alone. Im there alone myself. The look on her face was scaring me. She sits down. "We have what we believe is a diagnosis. It's cancer." I'm waiting for her to laugh and say, I'm just joking. I'm waiting to wake up and it's a bad dream. But I'm staring at her and I don't know what got into her to tell me this but she says, and this killed me! "The only
time I've ever seen this type is in breast cancer." I nearly fainted!
WHAT?! Breast Cancer?! WTH are you talking about?! I still sit there and say nothing. Im so numb I don't hear most of what she says. I know I heard they call it metastatic because of the way it spread. Instead of telling me I have options, instead of telling me something to give me some type of hope, the first thing she says is the prognosis is one year from initial diagnosis. And that's when it hit me. I was going to die! I called my sister and she cried with me.
Im so sorry. the rest of my post got cut off....
So then I go get a mammogram. Nothing shows. Back to the drawing board. I get a broncoscopy. Not enough tissue. The day I get discharged, I get a biopsy done on my ribs. Later that evening, I get a phone call at home. Lung cancer or bone cancer. They still don't know. know. He's doing the same thing the other doctor did. Tells me the prognosis is one year....
I got to an oncologist. "Small cell lung cancer." Again I'm asked if I smoke. No. "don't understand how you got this. This only shows up in older smokers." Well chemo starts tomorrow. Am I nervous? Yes. scared? I'd be crazy to say I wasn't.
I had intended to come home and die. Get my affairs in order, make amends with family, and then just die. How could that doctor just tell me that and not give me hope?! I was angry.
So my advice to you... If you're a religious person but not a praying one, start praying now! I did all of that after my tears, anger, frustration, nerves and damn near breakdown sumbsided. I have three children to raise, to watch grow up, graduate, get married, and have children. (the latter when Im old and gray!) I have a husband I promised forever too and I just can't give up.
Please keep us posted on your condition. I would really like to know how you are doing.0 -
Miss Sue. Can you PLEASEsuekgaard said:I'm there too.
I was dx on May 26 with sclc, upper left lung lobe and tumor in the mediasteinum. Not operable but the Onc said if I was going to get a combination of cancer/tumor this wasn't a bad combo to get because the sclc responds well to the chemo. I haven't found the extent of the cancer yet, I'll be having a bone scan and brain scan next week but I did start chemo this week.
I know it can all be really confusing and scary and I just keep tellig myself every day I open my eyes is a day of victory and I'm going to win. I have a great support system in my family and friends and I'm lucky to have pretty OK insurance so I've decided my job it just to fight the good fight as best I know how and that's with faith and humor.
I just finished 3 days of chemo, cisplatin and etoposide and aside from being very tired I'm doing well so far. Now I'm off for 2 weeks and in the meantime I'll meet with the radiologist and see what he has to say.
I have a blog at a different spot and I'm going to start posting it here too because it's sort of my therapy and I try to keep it as lighthearted as I can..I truly believe laughter is the best medicine.
Together we can help and share and encourage each other and this is a super thing!
Sue
Miss Sue. Can you PLEASE keep in touch with me! Im going to be getting the same thing you're getting. here is my email address. almighty13@hotmail.com0 -
hi muskoka1
will dont be to scared its noramalwas that theonly one youre doctor found was 1.2 1cmm that is small so if theirs only one u have a good chances if thers only one they can proably remove it with surgory.and know u are at lost know u have got to have a good postive out look and pray and have faithin god he will gude u to the right way and it seems like youre doctor has.youres is small they will remove it and do a bisopsy when they remove it.proably .differ drs.do it differ u keep fighting people live with cancer every day and ever day u thank god for letting u live another day. i was told i had lung cancer 9 11 09 that i had lung cancer in both lungs i was scared and in shock i have had three immdediate family member die of lung cang my mom in 1998 my brthor in 2000 and my dad in 2004 and then norma in 2007 of colon cancer.and now i have lung cancer a rare type of cancer it is basal cell carcinoma from the skin not from smoking i had a basal cell cut off the back of my right leg 18 yeras ago i had it removed three timesthey said they had got all of the margin the last time.and not it is in my lungs i have a ct scan ever three month iam waithin to get the clini trail drug hedgehog inhibtor pill is gdc 0449 fda hasnt aproved it yet and god is the one keeping me alive i thank and and prasie him every morning to give me the grace i need for this day .so u keep fighting and dont giv e up i haventand iam not untill my work on earh is done.my doctor said if it was any other cancer i would have aready been died so i know its god keep me alive for a reason .so u keep praying and thinking god for everything he has done for u .my prays go to u and youre family.god bless youll and keep me in youre prays cool49 are shirley0 -
Also stage 1a
I also have stage 1a. I also am finding out that not alot of people have this stage.
I would love to talk to you by email. Can you email me at gspenny7@gmail.com
thanks,
Penny0 -
Pennymoneypennymoney said:Also stage 1a
I also have stage 1a. I also am finding out that not alot of people have this stage.
I would love to talk to you by email. Can you email me at gspenny7@gmail.com
thanks,
Penny
I just sent you a PM but in case you don't receive it I want to warn you about posting your personal e-mail address on a public forum. We have had a problem with spammers and by posting your address you are putting your personal e-mail address at risk also. Please click on edit, erase your e-mail address and then click on post comment.
I am also stage 1a NSCLC and stage T3N0M0 laryngeal SCC, one year post treatment for both cancers (both inoperable) and I'm still in remission. Life is good!!!
Feel free to send me a PM here on CSN and I will help you in anyway I can.
Stay well,
Glenna0 -
Pennypennymoney said:Also stage 1a
I also have stage 1a. I also am finding out that not alot of people have this stage.
I would love to talk to you by email. Can you email me at gspenny7@gmail.com
thanks,
Penny
Hi Penny,
I was dx with anal cancer and finished tx on 6-30-09. On 1 of the follow up scans, a 7mm lung nodule was found, and the plan was to scan again in 3 months. On 8-11-10 the nodule was found to have grown to 11mm and the tumor board said this must come out. On 9-23 I had vats surgery with a biopsy in the OR and dx of squamous cell cancer (smokers lung cancer), in which I quit smoking after 35 years on 5-4-09, and then I had a lower right lobe lobectomy. I was a 1a primary lung cancer and not a met from the anal cancer. I was told this is curative and do not require any further tx. I returned to work on 10-26, and I have no restrictions. I wish you well, please let us know how your doing, as your right I don't see many 1a lung cancer posters. Lori0 -
good advicebobesmom said:Possible Lung Cancer - PLEASE HELP
Muskoka1,
I just joined this site a few hours ago. On 4/14/10 I went to the ER thinking I was having heart problems because my BP dropped and I became really short of breath. After an x-ray the ER doc told me the good news is my heart is fine - BUT - he saw what appeared to be cancer on my right lung. This led to a CT Scan and a confirmation. Like you, I had a chest X-Ray within the past several months. I thought there was either a mistake or at a minimum it was a "God thing" that we caught it so early. Since then I have had a biopsy, MRI, and this last Friday I had a PET Scan. I now have my own Onco man and a pulmanary specialist. Soon I will have a "team."
I was told I have Stage 3B non-operable lung cancer that has spread to both lungs and the nodes within my chest cavity. My hubby, son and myself will meet with the Onco man tomorrow to get the full results (has it spread to brain, other organs, bones, etc.) and determine the best options for treatment.
I totally get that you are scared. Trust me, so am I. Sometimes it feels like I am suffocating in that fear. Like I told my best friend "It sucks to be me." On then other hand, we do have options and more is being revealed everyday about promising treatments and medications. I have to hold on to hope, tie a knot and hang on because there is nothing I can do about that dx. I pray and have a lot of people praying for me. The truth is, the "cure rate" for my form of cancer is low. However, I'll take the 5 years if I can get them.
I hope your cancer is not the same stage as mine and the fact that it wasn't there 5 months ago could be a very encouraging sign. What I liked about this site that helped me join is that there are people out there just like me - scared, angry, and grieving, and taking each day as it comes.... and that helps me feel not alone. I hope yo continue to be part of this. I plan to!
Bobesmom and glenna...... great advice and words of encouragement. As u said... the dx is what it is, but this is not a death sentnce, and one only needs to look at these boards to find that there is REAL hope.0 -
good advicebobesmom said:Possible Lung Cancer - PLEASE HELP
Muskoka1,
I just joined this site a few hours ago. On 4/14/10 I went to the ER thinking I was having heart problems because my BP dropped and I became really short of breath. After an x-ray the ER doc told me the good news is my heart is fine - BUT - he saw what appeared to be cancer on my right lung. This led to a CT Scan and a confirmation. Like you, I had a chest X-Ray within the past several months. I thought there was either a mistake or at a minimum it was a "God thing" that we caught it so early. Since then I have had a biopsy, MRI, and this last Friday I had a PET Scan. I now have my own Onco man and a pulmanary specialist. Soon I will have a "team."
I was told I have Stage 3B non-operable lung cancer that has spread to both lungs and the nodes within my chest cavity. My hubby, son and myself will meet with the Onco man tomorrow to get the full results (has it spread to brain, other organs, bones, etc.) and determine the best options for treatment.
I totally get that you are scared. Trust me, so am I. Sometimes it feels like I am suffocating in that fear. Like I told my best friend "It sucks to be me." On then other hand, we do have options and more is being revealed everyday about promising treatments and medications. I have to hold on to hope, tie a knot and hang on because there is nothing I can do about that dx. I pray and have a lot of people praying for me. The truth is, the "cure rate" for my form of cancer is low. However, I'll take the 5 years if I can get them.
I hope your cancer is not the same stage as mine and the fact that it wasn't there 5 months ago could be a very encouraging sign. What I liked about this site that helped me join is that there are people out there just like me - scared, angry, and grieving, and taking each day as it comes.... and that helps me feel not alone. I hope yo continue to be part of this. I plan to!
Bobesmom and glenna...... great advice and words of encouragement. As u said... the dx is what it is, but this is not a death sentnce, and one only needs to look at these boards to find that there is REAL hope.0 -
good advicebobesmom said:Possible Lung Cancer - PLEASE HELP
Muskoka1,
I just joined this site a few hours ago. On 4/14/10 I went to the ER thinking I was having heart problems because my BP dropped and I became really short of breath. After an x-ray the ER doc told me the good news is my heart is fine - BUT - he saw what appeared to be cancer on my right lung. This led to a CT Scan and a confirmation. Like you, I had a chest X-Ray within the past several months. I thought there was either a mistake or at a minimum it was a "God thing" that we caught it so early. Since then I have had a biopsy, MRI, and this last Friday I had a PET Scan. I now have my own Onco man and a pulmanary specialist. Soon I will have a "team."
I was told I have Stage 3B non-operable lung cancer that has spread to both lungs and the nodes within my chest cavity. My hubby, son and myself will meet with the Onco man tomorrow to get the full results (has it spread to brain, other organs, bones, etc.) and determine the best options for treatment.
I totally get that you are scared. Trust me, so am I. Sometimes it feels like I am suffocating in that fear. Like I told my best friend "It sucks to be me." On then other hand, we do have options and more is being revealed everyday about promising treatments and medications. I have to hold on to hope, tie a knot and hang on because there is nothing I can do about that dx. I pray and have a lot of people praying for me. The truth is, the "cure rate" for my form of cancer is low. However, I'll take the 5 years if I can get them.
I hope your cancer is not the same stage as mine and the fact that it wasn't there 5 months ago could be a very encouraging sign. What I liked about this site that helped me join is that there are people out there just like me - scared, angry, and grieving, and taking each day as it comes.... and that helps me feel not alone. I hope yo continue to be part of this. I plan to!
Bobesmom and glenna...... great advice and words of encouragement. As u said... the dx is what it is, but this is not a death sentnce, and one only needs to look at these boards to find that there is REAL hope.0 -
good advicebobesmom said:Possible Lung Cancer - PLEASE HELP
Muskoka1,
I just joined this site a few hours ago. On 4/14/10 I went to the ER thinking I was having heart problems because my BP dropped and I became really short of breath. After an x-ray the ER doc told me the good news is my heart is fine - BUT - he saw what appeared to be cancer on my right lung. This led to a CT Scan and a confirmation. Like you, I had a chest X-Ray within the past several months. I thought there was either a mistake or at a minimum it was a "God thing" that we caught it so early. Since then I have had a biopsy, MRI, and this last Friday I had a PET Scan. I now have my own Onco man and a pulmanary specialist. Soon I will have a "team."
I was told I have Stage 3B non-operable lung cancer that has spread to both lungs and the nodes within my chest cavity. My hubby, son and myself will meet with the Onco man tomorrow to get the full results (has it spread to brain, other organs, bones, etc.) and determine the best options for treatment.
I totally get that you are scared. Trust me, so am I. Sometimes it feels like I am suffocating in that fear. Like I told my best friend "It sucks to be me." On then other hand, we do have options and more is being revealed everyday about promising treatments and medications. I have to hold on to hope, tie a knot and hang on because there is nothing I can do about that dx. I pray and have a lot of people praying for me. The truth is, the "cure rate" for my form of cancer is low. However, I'll take the 5 years if I can get them.
I hope your cancer is not the same stage as mine and the fact that it wasn't there 5 months ago could be a very encouraging sign. What I liked about this site that helped me join is that there are people out there just like me - scared, angry, and grieving, and taking each day as it comes.... and that helps me feel not alone. I hope yo continue to be part of this. I plan to!
Bobesmom and glenna...... great advice and words of encouragement. As u said... the dx is what it is, but this is not a death sentnce, and one only needs to look at these boards to find that there is REAL hope.0 -
good advicebobesmom said:Possible Lung Cancer - PLEASE HELP
Muskoka1,
I just joined this site a few hours ago. On 4/14/10 I went to the ER thinking I was having heart problems because my BP dropped and I became really short of breath. After an x-ray the ER doc told me the good news is my heart is fine - BUT - he saw what appeared to be cancer on my right lung. This led to a CT Scan and a confirmation. Like you, I had a chest X-Ray within the past several months. I thought there was either a mistake or at a minimum it was a "God thing" that we caught it so early. Since then I have had a biopsy, MRI, and this last Friday I had a PET Scan. I now have my own Onco man and a pulmanary specialist. Soon I will have a "team."
I was told I have Stage 3B non-operable lung cancer that has spread to both lungs and the nodes within my chest cavity. My hubby, son and myself will meet with the Onco man tomorrow to get the full results (has it spread to brain, other organs, bones, etc.) and determine the best options for treatment.
I totally get that you are scared. Trust me, so am I. Sometimes it feels like I am suffocating in that fear. Like I told my best friend "It sucks to be me." On then other hand, we do have options and more is being revealed everyday about promising treatments and medications. I have to hold on to hope, tie a knot and hang on because there is nothing I can do about that dx. I pray and have a lot of people praying for me. The truth is, the "cure rate" for my form of cancer is low. However, I'll take the 5 years if I can get them.
I hope your cancer is not the same stage as mine and the fact that it wasn't there 5 months ago could be a very encouraging sign. What I liked about this site that helped me join is that there are people out there just like me - scared, angry, and grieving, and taking each day as it comes.... and that helps me feel not alone. I hope yo continue to be part of this. I plan to!
Bobesmom and glenna...... great advice and words of encouragement. As u said... the dx is what it is, but this is not a death sentnce, and one only needs to look at these boards to find that there is REAL hope.0 -
good advicebobesmom said:Possible Lung Cancer - PLEASE HELP
Muskoka1,
I just joined this site a few hours ago. On 4/14/10 I went to the ER thinking I was having heart problems because my BP dropped and I became really short of breath. After an x-ray the ER doc told me the good news is my heart is fine - BUT - he saw what appeared to be cancer on my right lung. This led to a CT Scan and a confirmation. Like you, I had a chest X-Ray within the past several months. I thought there was either a mistake or at a minimum it was a "God thing" that we caught it so early. Since then I have had a biopsy, MRI, and this last Friday I had a PET Scan. I now have my own Onco man and a pulmanary specialist. Soon I will have a "team."
I was told I have Stage 3B non-operable lung cancer that has spread to both lungs and the nodes within my chest cavity. My hubby, son and myself will meet with the Onco man tomorrow to get the full results (has it spread to brain, other organs, bones, etc.) and determine the best options for treatment.
I totally get that you are scared. Trust me, so am I. Sometimes it feels like I am suffocating in that fear. Like I told my best friend "It sucks to be me." On then other hand, we do have options and more is being revealed everyday about promising treatments and medications. I have to hold on to hope, tie a knot and hang on because there is nothing I can do about that dx. I pray and have a lot of people praying for me. The truth is, the "cure rate" for my form of cancer is low. However, I'll take the 5 years if I can get them.
I hope your cancer is not the same stage as mine and the fact that it wasn't there 5 months ago could be a very encouraging sign. What I liked about this site that helped me join is that there are people out there just like me - scared, angry, and grieving, and taking each day as it comes.... and that helps me feel not alone. I hope yo continue to be part of this. I plan to!
Bobesmom and glenna...... great advice and words of encouragement. As u said... the dx is what it is, but this is not a death sentnce, and one only needs to look at these boards to find that there is REAL hope.0 -
good advicebobesmom said:Possible Lung Cancer - PLEASE HELP
Muskoka1,
I just joined this site a few hours ago. On 4/14/10 I went to the ER thinking I was having heart problems because my BP dropped and I became really short of breath. After an x-ray the ER doc told me the good news is my heart is fine - BUT - he saw what appeared to be cancer on my right lung. This led to a CT Scan and a confirmation. Like you, I had a chest X-Ray within the past several months. I thought there was either a mistake or at a minimum it was a "God thing" that we caught it so early. Since then I have had a biopsy, MRI, and this last Friday I had a PET Scan. I now have my own Onco man and a pulmanary specialist. Soon I will have a "team."
I was told I have Stage 3B non-operable lung cancer that has spread to both lungs and the nodes within my chest cavity. My hubby, son and myself will meet with the Onco man tomorrow to get the full results (has it spread to brain, other organs, bones, etc.) and determine the best options for treatment.
I totally get that you are scared. Trust me, so am I. Sometimes it feels like I am suffocating in that fear. Like I told my best friend "It sucks to be me." On then other hand, we do have options and more is being revealed everyday about promising treatments and medications. I have to hold on to hope, tie a knot and hang on because there is nothing I can do about that dx. I pray and have a lot of people praying for me. The truth is, the "cure rate" for my form of cancer is low. However, I'll take the 5 years if I can get them.
I hope your cancer is not the same stage as mine and the fact that it wasn't there 5 months ago could be a very encouraging sign. What I liked about this site that helped me join is that there are people out there just like me - scared, angry, and grieving, and taking each day as it comes.... and that helps me feel not alone. I hope yo continue to be part of this. I plan to!
Bobesmom and glenna...... great advice and words of encouragement. As u said... the dx is what it is, but this is not a death sentnce, and one only needs to look at these boards to find that there is REAL hope.0 -
how are you doing?mamacita5 said:You have come to the right place
I am only about a 1-1/2 months ahead of you on the CT discovery, biopsy, PET scan and confirmation of NSCLC which had me in surgery on May 17th. My 7cm tumor was removed along with 11 lymph nodes and my lower left lung lobe. Three of the nodes tested positive for mets, which took me from stage 1b to 3a. Of course you are scared, me too! I have found that as each day goes by and I keep checking the the discussion group, I gain more confidence in the ability to survive this awful disease. There are many survivors in this group who will give you loving encouragement. Keep checking the discussion group and quit searching all the other "technical medical" sites that will give you statistics that might be outdated or discouraging. I think that as people recover, go into remission, etc they tend to not post as much on the site, so that is why you don't see a lot of posts from people who have survived it for long periods of time. They simply have gone on to live their lives! Hang in there with me please, we have got to keep as positive as possible and support each other.
Anita
I am new to this thread and just wondering how you are doing now? Thanks, Pam0
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