New to site: New to lung cancer
I am 53 and have been sick with other issues for the last two years so this was the last thing I had expected.
I was diagnosed from MY request for a cat scan due to pressure in lower abdomen. Two days later, they find a "spot" on lung. Now, on my way to a specialist: pulmunary. He sends me to thoracic. Biopsy needs to be done, bronchoscopy and endoscopy in 2 weeks. Came back 2.2cm malignant tumor, not in lymph nodes and not spreading, I guess it is called non small cell 1A, I don't know. I am new to this. Now, in two more weeks I have to have this removed by a procedure called VATS, taking my lower right lobe with some lymph nodes. Only 2 little incisions but I hear it is quite painful. I am already on pretty potent pain meds. Even doctor states concern on pain. I have been suffering for two years with autoimmune and lyme disease. Can someone please fill me in on what to expect from lobectomy and the recuperation especially with someone who has a high tolerance to pain medication. Lately, I have involuntary gasps, is that common with a tumor?
I am so scared but I want this thing OUT of me.
Comments
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Kerry
Hi Kerry, sorry you had to find us. I had the vats on 9-23-10 for removal of my lower right lobe. The nodule was found when I was being follow up scanned to make sure I was still ned from anal cancer, in which I had completed tx for on 6-30-09.
I had a 7mm nodule which grew to 11mm and had to come out. I had the nodule biopsied right in the OR before the dr proceeded to remove the lower right lobe. I was in the hospital for 3 days and returned to work after 1 month to all of my job requirements, which are physical. One day at a time it gets better. There is pain but its managable.
The main thing is catching it early, in which it looks like you did.
I wish you well and keep us posted. Lori0 -
Kerry I am sorry you had to
Kerry I am sorry you had to find us here, but at the same time glad you did. The love, care and support you get here is the BEST! This support group is like a second family! I can give you a brief of my experience. Had breat cancer 2008 left side. Danced with NED for awhile and was enjoying the dance when my dance stopped very fast one day in 2011. July 2011 found a spot on Xray, sent for CT scan, 7cm and then a PET scan 30 days later and showed it was growing. Decided to take it out. Now keep in mind they all thought it was a reoccurance from breast cancer. Left upper lobe did a wedge resection on Dec 7, 2011 done VATS. As per the surgeon they got good margins for breast cancer. Sent off to path. Came back there were 2 tumors one the size of a size of a quarter and the second the size of a dime next to each other. Path report showed it was not breast cancer but in fact NSCLC. 2 weeks later they did a mediastinscopy to check nodes. All checks out good. Now on Feb 20, I had the left upper lobe intack with all connective tissue and muscles and surrounding nodes removed. If I could of had the last surgery done by VATS, that would be the way to fly.
VATS you will have 2 -3 small cuts and a drain tube or 2. Yes you will be sore ans have some pain. Once the drain tubes are removed the pain is then half gone. Do your breathing exercise everyday and walk a little everyday. This will help the healing. Having the lobe removed where the cut a 9" scar across your back is real pain....like I said I will take VATS anyday!!! Take you time and breath. That is very important. Oh, but on a positive note, your stage if no nodes involved should be GREAT after this surgery. I had 3 different surgeries and after this last one, no chemo and no rads will be needed! My port is coming out! I can start dancing with NED again!
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Kerryellenm4 said:Kerry I am sorry you had to
Kerry I am sorry you had to find us here, but at the same time glad you did. The love, care and support you get here is the BEST! This support group is like a second family! I can give you a brief of my experience. Had breat cancer 2008 left side. Danced with NED for awhile and was enjoying the dance when my dance stopped very fast one day in 2011. July 2011 found a spot on Xray, sent for CT scan, 7cm and then a PET scan 30 days later and showed it was growing. Decided to take it out. Now keep in mind they all thought it was a reoccurance from breast cancer. Left upper lobe did a wedge resection on Dec 7, 2011 done VATS. As per the surgeon they got good margins for breast cancer. Sent off to path. Came back there were 2 tumors one the size of a size of a quarter and the second the size of a dime next to each other. Path report showed it was not breast cancer but in fact NSCLC. 2 weeks later they did a mediastinscopy to check nodes. All checks out good. Now on Feb 20, I had the left upper lobe intack with all connective tissue and muscles and surrounding nodes removed. If I could of had the last surgery done by VATS, that would be the way to fly.
VATS you will have 2 -3 small cuts and a drain tube or 2. Yes you will be sore ans have some pain. Once the drain tubes are removed the pain is then half gone. Do your breathing exercise everyday and walk a little everyday. This will help the healing. Having the lobe removed where the cut a 9" scar across your back is real pain....like I said I will take VATS anyday!!! Take you time and breath. That is very important. Oh, but on a positive note, your stage if no nodes involved should be GREAT after this surgery. I had 3 different surgeries and after this last one, no chemo and no rads will be needed! My port is coming out! I can start dancing with NED again!
Hello Kerry,
I too, am sorry you had to find this site. But your case sounds like mine, with out the abdominal thing going on. I also was very lucky that they found the cancer accidently. It was like a whirl wind. But I had VATS surgery to remove my lower right lobe 9/10/2008. The surgery wasn't that bad, gallbladder the old fashion way was definitely worse. I feel great no chemo. I was in the hospital for 5 days came home and slept in a recliner for a few weeks, it was much more comfortable. I was back to work in 10 weeks, it would have been earlier but I had some constipation problems. I walk everyday, go to the gym and Zumba classes. I still have some issues with underwire bras but not so bad. As ellenm4 says most important is to do breathing excercises and get up and walk the halls as soon as you can. If after surgery they have staged it at 1A you should consider yourself extremely lucky. Yeah, I know you probably aren't feeling very lucky. But trust me you are. Post as often as you need. good luck stay strong.
cathy0 -
Thanks to allcatcon49 said:Kerry
Hello Kerry,
I too, am sorry you had to find this site. But your case sounds like mine, with out the abdominal thing going on. I also was very lucky that they found the cancer accidently. It was like a whirl wind. But I had VATS surgery to remove my lower right lobe 9/10/2008. The surgery wasn't that bad, gallbladder the old fashion way was definitely worse. I feel great no chemo. I was in the hospital for 5 days came home and slept in a recliner for a few weeks, it was much more comfortable. I was back to work in 10 weeks, it would have been earlier but I had some constipation problems. I walk everyday, go to the gym and Zumba classes. I still have some issues with underwire bras but not so bad. As ellenm4 says most important is to do breathing excercises and get up and walk the halls as soon as you can. If after surgery they have staged it at 1A you should consider yourself extremely lucky. Yeah, I know you probably aren't feeling very lucky. But trust me you are. Post as often as you need. good luck stay strong.
cathy
I am very happy I found you all. You have made me feel more than welcomed but more at ease with the upcoming procedure. I know it is not going to be a walk in the park but I have so many other issues that I fear I will not heal as fast as the normal person. Yes, I do feel lucky, I have a second chance in life, just have to get through this. What a beutiful bride, is that your daughter, Cathy? I have heard of some constipation issues, I have heard others that use softeners.
I will keep you all posted as I go through this. I should be able to go online at hospital. They told me 2 insicions, 2-4 days in hospital, at least 2 days attached with tubes (that is the scary part for me) When they come out, I come home. I guess it is time to start wearing sports bras.
Thanks again for all your support
Kerry0 -
wearing a bra? lolKerry23 said:Thanks to all
I am very happy I found you all. You have made me feel more than welcomed but more at ease with the upcoming procedure. I know it is not going to be a walk in the park but I have so many other issues that I fear I will not heal as fast as the normal person. Yes, I do feel lucky, I have a second chance in life, just have to get through this. What a beutiful bride, is that your daughter, Cathy? I have heard of some constipation issues, I have heard others that use softeners.
I will keep you all posted as I go through this. I should be able to go online at hospital. They told me 2 insicions, 2-4 days in hospital, at least 2 days attached with tubes (that is the scary part for me) When they come out, I come home. I guess it is time to start wearing sports bras.
Thanks again for all your support
Kerry
I had my VATs done Dec 7 and I am now wearing a sports bra....did I say a loose sports bra? LOL I am thankful for now being well endowed! Since this lobeoctomy there is no way I can put on the sports bra much less think about it and it has been 3 weeks since I had it done. I am in no hurry and if people want to watch the crazy ole lady that wears no bra...I just might one day give them something to really watch. Hey the young ones walk around showing them off and letting themm bounce why can't I? Well bouse they don't do anymore and showing them off I might have to pick them up first and point them in the right direction first...so if you want to see them you better be fast because when I let go of those puppies I am affraid they well not pay attention! Ya know what I mean! What fun!!! LOL0 -
wearing a bra? lolKerry23 said:Thanks to all
I am very happy I found you all. You have made me feel more than welcomed but more at ease with the upcoming procedure. I know it is not going to be a walk in the park but I have so many other issues that I fear I will not heal as fast as the normal person. Yes, I do feel lucky, I have a second chance in life, just have to get through this. What a beutiful bride, is that your daughter, Cathy? I have heard of some constipation issues, I have heard others that use softeners.
I will keep you all posted as I go through this. I should be able to go online at hospital. They told me 2 insicions, 2-4 days in hospital, at least 2 days attached with tubes (that is the scary part for me) When they come out, I come home. I guess it is time to start wearing sports bras.
Thanks again for all your support
Kerry
I had my VATs done Dec 7 and I am now wearing a sports bra....did I say a loose sports bra? LOL I am thankful for now being well endowed! Since this lobeoctomy there is no way I can put on the sports bra much less think about it and it has been 3 weeks since I had it done. I am in no hurry and if people want to watch the crazy ole lady that wears no bra...I just might one day give them something to really watch. Hey the young ones walk around showing them off and letting themm bounce why can't I? Well bouse they don't do anymore and showing them off I might have to pick them up first and point them in the right direction first...so if you want to see them you better be fast because when I let go of those puppies I am affraid they well not pay attention! Ya know what I mean! What fun!!! LOL0 -
kerryellenm4 said:wearing a bra? lol
I had my VATs done Dec 7 and I am now wearing a sports bra....did I say a loose sports bra? LOL I am thankful for now being well endowed! Since this lobeoctomy there is no way I can put on the sports bra much less think about it and it has been 3 weeks since I had it done. I am in no hurry and if people want to watch the crazy ole lady that wears no bra...I just might one day give them something to really watch. Hey the young ones walk around showing them off and letting themm bounce why can't I? Well bouse they don't do anymore and showing them off I might have to pick them up first and point them in the right direction first...so if you want to see them you better be fast because when I let go of those puppies I am affraid they well not pay attention! Ya know what I mean! What fun!!! LOL
Yes that is my daughter she got married in sept 2010 on my 3 year anniversary of NED.
The tubes didn't hurt when they came out. just felt like some tugging. It was a werid sensation but don't recall it hurting.
Good luck. let us know how you make out.
cathy0 -
kerryellenm4 said:wearing a bra? lol
I had my VATs done Dec 7 and I am now wearing a sports bra....did I say a loose sports bra? LOL I am thankful for now being well endowed! Since this lobeoctomy there is no way I can put on the sports bra much less think about it and it has been 3 weeks since I had it done. I am in no hurry and if people want to watch the crazy ole lady that wears no bra...I just might one day give them something to really watch. Hey the young ones walk around showing them off and letting themm bounce why can't I? Well bouse they don't do anymore and showing them off I might have to pick them up first and point them in the right direction first...so if you want to see them you better be fast because when I let go of those puppies I am affraid they well not pay attention! Ya know what I mean! What fun!!! LOL
PS.. the one fixing the brides shoe is also my daughter.0 -
Both are very lovely and Icatcon49 said:kerry
Yes that is my daughter she got married in sept 2010 on my 3 year anniversary of NED.
The tubes didn't hurt when they came out. just felt like some tugging. It was a werid sensation but don't recall it hurting.
Good luck. let us know how you make out.
cathy
Both are very lovely and I am sure you are very proud! Having my tubes out did not really hurt either, just felt like a slight tug and I slowly breathed out and it was over. Did feel better once they were out!0 -
Oh yes...ellenm4 said:wearing a bra? lol
I had my VATs done Dec 7 and I am now wearing a sports bra....did I say a loose sports bra? LOL I am thankful for now being well endowed! Since this lobeoctomy there is no way I can put on the sports bra much less think about it and it has been 3 weeks since I had it done. I am in no hurry and if people want to watch the crazy ole lady that wears no bra...I just might one day give them something to really watch. Hey the young ones walk around showing them off and letting themm bounce why can't I? Well bouse they don't do anymore and showing them off I might have to pick them up first and point them in the right direction first...so if you want to see them you better be fast because when I let go of those puppies I am affraid they well not pay attention! Ya know what I mean! What fun!!! LOL
You go Girl....need more women like you(preferably without cancer though, dont wish that on anyone!)0
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