Another Hurdle

CSquaredaway
CSquaredaway Member Posts: 5
in Lung Cancer #1
Well, my journey started last August. Between now and then I've gone through chemo, radiation, and a small portion of my right lung being removed. The tumor was small and growing very very slowly. The treatment almost totally eliminated it. The surgery was in December of 2010. After doing a c-scan two weeks ago it's now possible I've got another mass in my left lung. PET scan yesterday and heading to my Onco in about an hour. Many thoughts.....I've managed to get through this so far. Haven't missed hardly any work - lucky to be in sales and work from my home office - almost no negatives with the chemo, except hair loss. I guess I'll know more today. Once I know the results I'll need to consider my options.......wish me luck! Craig

Comments

  • mamacita5
    mamacita5 Member Posts: 254 Member
    #2
    Wishing VERY hard for you
    Wishing VERY hard for you Craig. Let us know how it goes for you.
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    #3
    Sending positive thoughts...
    Sending positive thoughts and wishing you all the luck in the world!!

    Stay strong,
    Glenna
  • lekkerone
    lekkerone Member Posts: 199 Member
    #4
    Craig
    I wish you all of the best. Please let us know how you made it.
  • Dan620
    Dan620 Member Posts: 220
    #5
    lekkerone said:

    Craig
    I wish you all of the best. Please let us know how you made it.

    Family
    Craig, You have a large family here on this site wishing you nothing but the best. .. there are so many remarkable people here. .... Dan
  • CSquaredaway
    CSquaredaway Member Posts: 5
    #6
    mamacita5 said:

    Wishing VERY hard for you
    Wishing VERY hard for you Craig. Let us know how it goes for you.

    Thanks!
    Thanks so much for the support! Looks like I'll be facing more hurdles. The mass in my left lung is fairly small and until they do a biopsy we won't know if it's something new or something that has spread from the right lung. I've about decided to pass on another surgery even if that's what is recommended. Why do I have these thoughts that it's all about the money with these doctors? I also feel that a lot of this stuff is really just a shot in the dark, guess work, following procedures that have "worked the best in the past". I'll definitely do the radiation - it's the one that is more targeted. Don't know about more chemo.......darn, just had my port removed 2 weeks ago! I just don't know.....a lot of thinking to do. I did mention to my Onco about looking at the new blood serum method - need to read up on that - where they remove blood, treat the white blood cells, and re-intro into you body. I need to renew my resolve to beat this though getting a little beaten down..LOL.
  • lekkerone
    lekkerone Member Posts: 199 Member
    #7
    CSquaredaway said:

    Thanks!
    Thanks so much for the support! Looks like I'll be facing more hurdles. The mass in my left lung is fairly small and until they do a biopsy we won't know if it's something new or something that has spread from the right lung. I've about decided to pass on another surgery even if that's what is recommended. Why do I have these thoughts that it's all about the money with these doctors? I also feel that a lot of this stuff is really just a shot in the dark, guess work, following procedures that have "worked the best in the past". I'll definitely do the radiation - it's the one that is more targeted. Don't know about more chemo.......darn, just had my port removed 2 weeks ago! I just don't know.....a lot of thinking to do. I did mention to my Onco about looking at the new blood serum method - need to read up on that - where they remove blood, treat the white blood cells, and re-intro into you body. I need to renew my resolve to beat this though getting a little beaten down..LOL.

    Craig
    I am so sorry to hear your news. Do you think it's time for a second opinion? You are sounding a bit as if you don't totally have faith in the doctor(s) you have now. You might feel better if you have consulted someone else. The decisions of course are yours and it will be hard. Try to listen to your body and to your gut. Please keep us informed so we can support you in whatever road you take. Diane
  • CSquaredaway
    CSquaredaway Member Posts: 5
    #8
    lekkerone said:

    Craig
    I am so sorry to hear your news. Do you think it's time for a second opinion? You are sounding a bit as if you don't totally have faith in the doctor(s) you have now. You might feel better if you have consulted someone else. The decisions of course are yours and it will be hard. Try to listen to your body and to your gut. Please keep us informed so we can support you in whatever road you take. Diane

    Second Opinion
    Diane,
    I've thought about getting some other opinions. Just not sure how to go about that. May should call my insurance company as I had worked with someone for awhile that came to my home, etc. I guess she was suppose to be an advocate as well as being a sounding board. It almost seems like the IRS, though...LOL...."we're with the Government and we're here to help you". I also dread starting over with new tests, new forms to fill out, etc....although I'm sure a lot of the info can be shared/forwarded. I need to spend more time on this site and look at all the resources that are available. Thanks for the advice....I need be more proactive.
  • lekkerone
    lekkerone Member Posts: 199 Member
    #9
    CSquaredaway said:

    Second Opinion
    Diane,
    I've thought about getting some other opinions. Just not sure how to go about that. May should call my insurance company as I had worked with someone for awhile that came to my home, etc. I guess she was suppose to be an advocate as well as being a sounding board. It almost seems like the IRS, though...LOL...."we're with the Government and we're here to help you". I also dread starting over with new tests, new forms to fill out, etc....although I'm sure a lot of the info can be shared/forwarded. I need to spend more time on this site and look at all the resources that are available. Thanks for the advice....I need be more proactive.

    Craig
    I am Canadian so don't know anything about insurance but please ask some questions. The site (American, I think)called "inspire" is very good although if you read too much, as I did, it can get depressing. But the forum is big and you would get lots of help.
  • grannylove
    grannylove Member Posts: 183
    #10
    Stay strong
    Craig, So sorry to hear that you are going thru this again! It can and is so frustrating. Just take it one step and one day at a time. You can do this as others have before you. I am with Diane and thinking a second opinion might give you some peace. Most of the test results etc can be faxed to the facility or surgeon. Getting a second opinion does not commit you, it just gives you another point of view and can be helpful in the decision making process about tx. As far as paperwork.....it's everywhere. I am amazed at how much paperwork with computers these days. I thought they were supposed to eliminate the need for all the forms that constantly repeat themselves. (can you say writers cramp) If you could be more specific on the type and stage of your LC, someone might be able to post who has undergone tx for the same thing. Just a thought. Whatever you decide to do Craig, we are here and you are not alone in this fight. My prayers are with you. Stay strong and keep us posted.
    Cheryl
  • CSquaredaway
    CSquaredaway Member Posts: 5
    #11
    grannylove said:

    Stay strong
    Craig, So sorry to hear that you are going thru this again! It can and is so frustrating. Just take it one step and one day at a time. You can do this as others have before you. I am with Diane and thinking a second opinion might give you some peace. Most of the test results etc can be faxed to the facility or surgeon. Getting a second opinion does not commit you, it just gives you another point of view and can be helpful in the decision making process about tx. As far as paperwork.....it's everywhere. I am amazed at how much paperwork with computers these days. I thought they were supposed to eliminate the need for all the forms that constantly repeat themselves. (can you say writers cramp) If you could be more specific on the type and stage of your LC, someone might be able to post who has undergone tx for the same thing. Just a thought. Whatever you decide to do Craig, we are here and you are not alone in this fight. My prayers are with you. Stay strong and keep us posted.
    Cheryl

    Cheryl
    Thanks so much for the input. I've been on a yo-yo the last few days. Contemplating ones own mortality is something I'm sure we've all done. One minute resolving to beat this and the next thinking to just put it in God's hands. My original diagnosis was NSCLC state 3B. I had a small - very slow growing, fairly small mass - in my RL. Went thru the chemo/rad. to reduce the mass to nearly nothing and then the lobectomy last Dec. for the top 1/3 of the lung. Did more chemo after surgery and stopped that a couple months ago. The recent PET shows a new mass in the L.lung. Could be new or a spreading of the prior. If it's spread I'm looking at stage IV. I'm looking at more chemo and radiation and not sure on more surgery.

    I do want to get a second opinion....like you said, another point of view. My Onco is so matter of fact, clinical, covering his tail (I elected not to do the last few days of chemo). I've always been a fighter and after licking my wounds for a few days, I'm sure I'll get back to that mind set. It's the waiting that's the hardest.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #12
    CSquaredaway said:

    Cheryl
    Thanks so much for the input. I've been on a yo-yo the last few days. Contemplating ones own mortality is something I'm sure we've all done. One minute resolving to beat this and the next thinking to just put it in God's hands. My original diagnosis was NSCLC state 3B. I had a small - very slow growing, fairly small mass - in my RL. Went thru the chemo/rad. to reduce the mass to nearly nothing and then the lobectomy last Dec. for the top 1/3 of the lung. Did more chemo after surgery and stopped that a couple months ago. The recent PET shows a new mass in the L.lung. Could be new or a spreading of the prior. If it's spread I'm looking at stage IV. I'm looking at more chemo and radiation and not sure on more surgery.

    I do want to get a second opinion....like you said, another point of view. My Onco is so matter of fact, clinical, covering his tail (I elected not to do the last few days of chemo). I've always been a fighter and after licking my wounds for a few days, I'm sure I'll get back to that mind set. It's the waiting that's the hardest.

    Hi Craig

    Wishing you well my friend as you move forward aging with this nasty stuff.

    Hondo
  • AlanRinHBG
    AlanRinHBG Member Posts: 121
    #13
    Hondo said:

    Hi Craig

    Wishing you well my friend as you move forward aging with this nasty stuff.

    Hondo

    Hi Craig,
    I just read this whole thread and want to interject. Don't give in. Look for a new team of drs. Sounds like you're not sure about the current ones. Don't be afraid to travel if you must to get to the right facility. There are so many options other than surgery. I was stage 4 with met to my spine. (upper right lobe). Surgery wasn't an option. Cyberknife killed it and I'm in remission. That's over 2 years ago. I go for a 3 month scan next week. So far, so good. There is a newer radiation method called Proton Therapy. Even more advanced than Cyberknife. I'm assured that if I need more treatment someday, there will be more options to fight with. I went through all the chemo and radiation too. I even still have the port. Look up Proton Therapy just for kicks on Bing or Google. These types of things should give you hope and please never ever never give up. There are great hospitals and treatment centers all over the place. Keep fighting. Alan
  • lekkerone
    lekkerone Member Posts: 199 Member
    #14
    AlanRinHBG said:

    Hi Craig,
    I just read this whole thread and want to interject. Don't give in. Look for a new team of drs. Sounds like you're not sure about the current ones. Don't be afraid to travel if you must to get to the right facility. There are so many options other than surgery. I was stage 4 with met to my spine. (upper right lobe). Surgery wasn't an option. Cyberknife killed it and I'm in remission. That's over 2 years ago. I go for a 3 month scan next week. So far, so good. There is a newer radiation method called Proton Therapy. Even more advanced than Cyberknife. I'm assured that if I need more treatment someday, there will be more options to fight with. I went through all the chemo and radiation too. I even still have the port. Look up Proton Therapy just for kicks on Bing or Google. These types of things should give you hope and please never ever never give up. There are great hospitals and treatment centers all over the place. Keep fighting. Alan

    Alan
    That is good news Alan that you are doing so well and great encouragement for Craig and many others. Go for it Craig!!!

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