Probable lung mets- scared

JanJan63
JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I saw the thoracic surgeon this morning regarding the spots on my lung that had shown up in my last CT scan in August. I thought he was going to be setting me up for a biopsy but he's not. If the spots are cancer and not scar tissue like we hoped then they're inoperable because of where they're placed. Also because of my blood clot issue. So I get another CT scan in November and they'll take another look. If they've grown and they think they're cancerous they'll try to come up with another option, probably radiation. He said they spots arw round and is leaning towards that they're mets.

I am devastated and terrified. Can anyone please help me with some information please?

Thank you,

Jan

«13

Comments

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #2
    Dam*!

    I am sorry to read this, Jan. You have been through so much already. 

    I cannot help with information, but I can send good vibes and prayers and lots of cyber love and hugs. 

    I know there are many here on the forum who are dealing and have delt (as in PAST TENSE) with lung mets, and I know, if these turn out to be so, you will deal with them as well. 

    Sue - Trubrit

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #3
    Trubrit said:

    Dam*!

    I am sorry to read this, Jan. You have been through so much already. 

    I cannot help with information, but I can send good vibes and prayers and lots of cyber love and hugs. 

    I know there are many here on the forum who are dealing and have delt (as in PAST TENSE) with lung mets, and I know, if these turn out to be so, you will deal with them as well. 

    Sue - Trubrit

    Thanks Sue. When I'm told

    Thanks Sue. When I'm told things like 'inoperable' and radiation 'might be able to help' it's scary. I'm feeling like I was hit by a car this afternoon. I'm thinking all kinds of crazy things.

  • vtspa6
    vtspa6 Member Posts: 172 Member
    #4
    So sorry to hear this.  My

    So sorry to hear this.  My husband was dx's with lung mets also.  Oncologist said he has too many spots in each lobe to operate now, maybe if they shrink??  He just had his first chemo treatment with FOLFOX 6 with Avastin. After chemo treatment he brings home a chemo pump that he is hooked to for 48 hrs afterward.  Must say this is some wicked stuff but am thankful that there is options to help fight this terrible decease!

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #5
    I'm so sorry, Jan.

    I know how horrible it is to get news of a recurrence.  Could you get a second opinion on the surgery issue?  I know someone who had mets that two or three surgeons said were inoperable, but she finally found a guy who was willing to try just about anything.  That was several years ago and she's still around so the surgery really added to her longevity.

    And what about RFA?  I believe several of our members here have had that used successfully with lung mets.  You would probably need to meet with a specialist to find out about that one...not sure a thoracic surgeon would have all the details.

    Hang in there and let us know how it goes.

  • Phil64
    Phil64 Member Posts: 838 Member
    #6
    Sorry to hear this news Jan.

    Sorry to hear this news Jan. Sending you Light and Love. and a big cyber hug.

     

    Phil

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #7
    I think you have 2 other

    I think you have 2 other options to look into. They mentioned radiation which is probably SBRT or SBRT is a good option. So is Ablation whether it be radio frequency Ablation or cryogenic ablation. I would get a couple of copies of your scan on disc and set up consultations with a radiation oncologist and intervention AL radiologist to see if they can help you. That way you are being proactive and hopefully setting up options in case the spots are cancer instead of waiting around and doing nothing until your scan in November.

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #8
    vtspa6 said:

    So sorry to hear this.  My

    So sorry to hear this.  My husband was dx's with lung mets also.  Oncologist said he has too many spots in each lobe to operate now, maybe if they shrink??  He just had his first chemo treatment with FOLFOX 6 with Avastin. After chemo treatment he brings home a chemo pump that he is hooked to for 48 hrs afterward.  Must say this is some wicked stuff but am thankful that there is options to help fight this terrible decease!

    I don't think I can have

    I don't think I can have chemo now because of the blood clots.

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #9
    annalexandria said:

    I'm so sorry, Jan.

    I know how horrible it is to get news of a recurrence.  Could you get a second opinion on the surgery issue?  I know someone who had mets that two or three surgeons said were inoperable, but she finally found a guy who was willing to try just about anything.  That was several years ago and she's still around so the surgery really added to her longevity.

    And what about RFA?  I believe several of our members here have had that used successfully with lung mets.  You would probably need to meet with a specialist to find out about that one...not sure a thoracic surgeon would have all the details.

    Hang in there and let us know how it goes.

    RFA? I'll have to check into

    RFA? I'll have to check into that. Thanks for the suggestion. Do you have a link by any chance?

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #10
    Phil64 said:

    Sorry to hear this news Jan.

    Sorry to hear this news Jan. Sending you Light and Love. and a big cyber hug.

     

    Phil

    Thank you. I've been trying

    Thank you. I've been trying to be positive through all of this but this time I'm finding that I'm having a very hard time not just curling up in th corner and crying. 

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #11
    janderson1964 said:

    I think you have 2 other

    I think you have 2 other options to look into. They mentioned radiation which is probably SBRT or SBRT is a good option. So is Ablation whether it be radio frequency Ablation or cryogenic ablation. I would get a couple of copies of your scan on disc and set up consultations with a radiation oncologist and intervention AL radiologist to see if they can help you. That way you are being proactive and hopefully setting up options in case the spots are cancer instead of waiting around and doing nothing until your scan in November.

    Thank you, good advice.

    Thank you, good advice. There's got to be something they can do. He didn't sound hopeful about the radiation but I've never smoked and I'm healthy otherwise so maybe there are soe other options.

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #12
    JanJan63 said:

    RFA? I'll have to check into

    RFA? I'll have to check into that. Thanks for the suggestion. Do you have a link by any chance?

    Here's a short overview of it...

    http://www.bmc.org/thoraciconcology/treatments/radiofrequency-ablation.htm

     

    It def looks like it's a promising treatment for any cancer in the lungs.   I believe PhillieG, who no longer posts here too much but whom you could PM, has done it multiple times over the years.  He's been dealing with stage 4 for a decade and is still going strong.

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #13
    JanJan63 said:

    Thank you, good advice.

    Thank you, good advice. There's got to be something they can do. He didn't sound hopeful about the radiation but I've never smoked and I'm healthy otherwise so maybe there are soe other options.

    Jeff is the poster boy for proactive,

    and he's right...being proactive is key.  And finding and consulting with the people who specialize in each procedure rather than trusting what the doc who isn't a specialist has to say about it.

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #14
    annalexandria said:

    Here's a short overview of it...

    http://www.bmc.org/thoraciconcology/treatments/radiofrequency-ablation.htm

     

    It def looks like it's a promising treatment for any cancer in the lungs.   I believe PhillieG, who no longer posts here too much but whom you could PM, has done it multiple times over the years.  He's been dealing with stage 4 for a decade and is still going strong.

    Wow, that sounds positive.

    Wow, that sounds positive. I'm going to check into it. I wonder if they do it here in Canada.

  • Lilmiss82
    Lilmiss82 Member Posts: 257 Member
    #15
    Lung Mets

    Hi I haven't posted in a long time but I saw you post and had to reply because I was in a similar situation 3 years ago minus the blood clots. I had three lung nodules in the left and right lungs. Dr said no surgery because I had both lungs with disease. I set out for a second opinion and was advised to try radiation. So I pushed for Cyber knife and it worked for 2 on my right lobe. The one on the left kept coming back so I was devestated and my option was chemo, so I tried it. I know chemo is not an option for you but maybe down the road it might be an option? I completed chemo but once again  it grew back, so I tried standard radiation and again it grew back. With no other lung involvement I again got a second opinion and 2 years had past by this time and surgery was suggested so this May I had an upper left lobectomey. I did do chemo 3 months before surgery and 3 months after. Again, I know you are not capable a doing chemo right now but I can suggest cyber knife as its less damaging as standard radiation and since it's so targeted it can reach hard to reach spots. Hope this is helpful:)

  • NEDbound
    NEDbound Member Posts: 54
    #16
    Lilmiss82 said:

    Lung Mets

    Hi I haven't posted in a long time but I saw you post and had to reply because I was in a similar situation 3 years ago minus the blood clots. I had three lung nodules in the left and right lungs. Dr said no surgery because I had both lungs with disease. I set out for a second opinion and was advised to try radiation. So I pushed for Cyber knife and it worked for 2 on my right lobe. The one on the left kept coming back so I was devestated and my option was chemo, so I tried it. I know chemo is not an option for you but maybe down the road it might be an option? I completed chemo but once again  it grew back, so I tried standard radiation and again it grew back. With no other lung involvement I again got a second opinion and 2 years had past by this time and surgery was suggested so this May I had an upper left lobectomey. I did do chemo 3 months before surgery and 3 months after. Again, I know you are not capable a doing chemo right now but I can suggest cyber knife as its less damaging as standard radiation and since it's so targeted it can reach hard to reach spots. Hope this is helpful:)

    wow

    so impressed with your treatments

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #17
    JanJan63 said:

    Wow, that sounds positive.

    Wow, that sounds positive. I'm going to check into it. I wonder if they do it here in Canada.

    I would check these guys out,

    see if they have more info about what is on offer in Canada.  And of course ask your doc!  :)

     

    http://www.cancer.ca/en/region-selector-page/?url=/en/

  • jen2012
    jen2012 Member Posts: 1,607 Member
    #18
    No better advice than has

    No better advice than has been given, but sorry to hear and hoping you are able to get the right treatment.

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #19
    Lilmiss82 said:

    Lung Mets

    Hi I haven't posted in a long time but I saw you post and had to reply because I was in a similar situation 3 years ago minus the blood clots. I had three lung nodules in the left and right lungs. Dr said no surgery because I had both lungs with disease. I set out for a second opinion and was advised to try radiation. So I pushed for Cyber knife and it worked for 2 on my right lobe. The one on the left kept coming back so I was devestated and my option was chemo, so I tried it. I know chemo is not an option for you but maybe down the road it might be an option? I completed chemo but once again  it grew back, so I tried standard radiation and again it grew back. With no other lung involvement I again got a second opinion and 2 years had past by this time and surgery was suggested so this May I had an upper left lobectomey. I did do chemo 3 months before surgery and 3 months after. Again, I know you are not capable a doing chemo right now but I can suggest cyber knife as its less damaging as standard radiation and since it's so targeted it can reach hard to reach spots. Hope this is helpful:)

    Thank you! I'm doing up a

    Thank you! I'm doing up a list of what to ask when I go back. Information is power.

  • lizard44
    lizard44 Member Posts: 409 Member
    #20
    Wow

    So sorry   to hear about the lung mets.  Looks like you've gotten some good advice about being proactive.  I think just knowing that you're  actively seeking alternatives rather than just accepting without question whatever the doctors tell you goes a long way in helping to keep the negative fears and feelings at bay.

  • DaveHereInFlorida
    DaveHereInFlorida Member Posts: 48
    #21
    Even if it is,  getting on

    Even if it is,  getting on FolFox 5 chemo regimen will attach those spots on your lungs just like it did mine.  There have disappeared.   I  hope yours will too.   This is a time of uncertainty for you and i remember the anxiety it brings ;  ive learned to throw myself into Gods capable hands and trust him for a good outcome .   Drawing close to him will give you some peace, hope,  and patience.

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