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justbeingmebc
justbeingmebc Member Posts: 7
in Lung Cancer #1

I am a but new to this forum. I tried posting in another forum but do not know how to find it again or remember what its name was. I am a 30 year old female. In January a 3cm mass was discovered in my right middle lobe. Ended up being cancer. Scariest day of my life was when the dr called and confirmed. On march 1 2019 I underwent a lobectomy via a thoracotomy. The surgeon believes they were able to remove all of the cancer are in high Hope's no other treatments need to be done. Ironic I am the health nut in our family. Barely ever have a cold. Anyway. I always considered myself someone with a high tolerance for pain either emotional or physical. It has been 20 days since my surgery. I'm getting better but is it really this slow or am I a baby. I still rely on percocet to 3 times a day especially in the morning as I am stiff and miserable when I wake up. Is this normal? I am by far the youngest patient my dr's have ever treated. Also embarrassing I started lactating a couple days ago. The dr is unsure but thinks chest trauma as the culprit. I should say I am happily married to a woman!! I had to really fight to have the lung biopsy done because everyone says well your so young so it's probably nothing. Initially they were just going to "watch" it. Pulmonologist says i was lucky to only have stage 1c cancer. Imagine if they would of "watched" it.  Anyway I think I just need some words of encouragement from someone who has experienced this before. My family and friends have good intentions and are amazing people. But the "how do you feel" question gets hard sometimes. I feel like we all just say oh we are doing fine when really I just want to know I'd life will ever go back to how it was. Also they have decided because of my age to wait 6 months for another scan and then just do it every 2 years. This kind of frightens me. They keep telling me how I am there youngest patient but believe cancer is cancer. Anyway there wasnt much for questions In this post i suppose I'm just looking for some support. Thank you all for your support.  

Comments

  • jorola
    jorola Member Posts: 243 Member
    #2
    Awesome they caught it early and yes recovery still takes

    a while. My hubby did not have surgery as his tumor was too big and too close to his heart. It was partly in his bronchial tube. Still what you had was major surgery so be gentle on yourself - health nut or not. Good on you for being an advocate for yourself so your cancer was caught so early and you hopefully do not have to do chemo or radiation or otherwise your recovery would be even longer. I really hope others who have had your type of surgery pipe in here to talk to you specifically about your recovery as I am afraid I am not help here.

    One thing to know about CT scans is just one of them is equal to about 150 x-rays worth of radiation. I get where you are coming from on wanting to keep an eye on things and be on top of it if anything starts growing again. However that much exposure to radiation is not going to do you any good if you develop a new cancer from all the scans.

    I just wanted to say hang in there. Sounds like you are doing great and you have a wonderful wife to support you!

  • justbeingmebc
    justbeingmebc Member Posts: 7
    #3
    jorola said:

    Awesome they caught it early and yes recovery still takes

    a while. My hubby did not have surgery as his tumor was too big and too close to his heart. It was partly in his bronchial tube. Still what you had was major surgery so be gentle on yourself - health nut or not. Good on you for being an advocate for yourself so your cancer was caught so early and you hopefully do not have to do chemo or radiation or otherwise your recovery would be even longer. I really hope others who have had your type of surgery pipe in here to talk to you specifically about your recovery as I am afraid I am not help here.

    One thing to know about CT scans is just one of them is equal to about 150 x-rays worth of radiation. I get where you are coming from on wanting to keep an eye on things and be on top of it if anything starts growing again. However that much exposure to radiation is not going to do you any good if you develop a new cancer from all the scans.

    I just wanted to say hang in there. Sounds like you are doing great and you have a wonderful wife to support you!

    Thank you. It is amazing how

    Thank you. It is amazing how sometimes just getting it out and talking helps. I was not aware there was that much radiation exposure in a ct. The amount of anxiety I have had over this whole thing is crazy. Having groups like this is definitely a God send.

  • jorola
    jorola Member Posts: 243 Member
    #4
    Join us in the chat room

    We are there nightly. usually 10 pm estern standard time onwards. Look for the blue box need the top of your screen that says chatroom. Just click and you are whhisked away to our little chat room of suvivors and cargivers. We support one another through it all while trying to have a little fun too.

  • Cassandralynne
    Cassandralynne Member Posts: 1
    #5
    I am new here

    I was diagnosed with stage3a lung cancer tumor was 7.5 cm I went thru chemo and radiation tumor is on lower outside of my left lung and lymph nodes, the tumor shrunk to 3.5. Now all I can do is go every 3 months for a catscan and follow up with my oncologist for results. I have been dealing with a lot of anxiety and depression. I feel it's time I get everything in order i just got life insurance to make sure my final expenses are covered. I try to stay positive but, it's hard it really is.

     

  • jorola
    jorola Member Posts: 243 Member
    #6
    Have you sought a second opinion or discussed immunotherapy?

    Usually at Stage 3a the goal is curative but I am not a doctor nor know all of your circumstances. I certainly would not be giving up just yet. Have you gone for a second opinion or discussed immunotherapy with your doctor?

  • Harley906
    Harley906 Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2019 #7
    CT with contrast complete and PET Scheduled

    CT was scheduled to look at kidney stone sizes and and nodule found on my lower right lobe.  Went back for CT with contrast two days ago and today got a call for a PET scan next Wednesday and was referred to a Pulinary Dr.  Nodule is 1.3cm X 2.4 cm. I'm nervous and looking for information but there is so much out there online.  I really do not want to jump the gun here but I am surprised by my axiety level.  

    I have had my Mom pass with cancer and many different relatives and friends.  Can any of you relate?

     

     

  • zugor
    zugor Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2020 #8

    This is my first time here.  I wasdiagnosed in May with Stae 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    I was diagnosed in May with Stage IV lung cancer.  My oncologist got me in to clinical trials and I get an infusion every three weeks.  Will be having my third one tomorrow.  I'm a single, 70 year old woman  living in rural VA.  I have a pretty good support network of friends who are helping me out with so many aspects of my life.  

    I've had so may side effects including pain at the drain site on my left side, pain on the right fraom a large mass.  It has taken some time but I'm finally on enough pain meds that it is under control for the most part.  These two things make it very difficult to find a comfortable position to get much sleep and I tend to get most of my sleep in short stretches in my recliner.  Some of the meds have given me bad constipation but regular amounts of prune juice and stool softener have helped to manage that.  Shortness of breath and very little stamina are an ongoing issue.  I just had a CAT scan with contrast and the stuff I had to drink later resulted in the worst diarrhea that I have ever had.  The paperwork I was given at discharge made absolutely no mention of that possibility although it did cover several other side effects.  It makes me very mad that there was nothing about getting such a bad case of the runs and so I was unprepared for that.

    A home health nurse comes in once a week to drain the exess fluid from my lung and she has taught another person how to also do it so it gets done twice a week.  Currently getting about 1,300 milliliters per week.  

     

     

     

     

  • Primavera
    Primavera Member Posts: 231 Member
    #9
    zugor said:

    This is my first time here.  I wasdiagnosed in May with Stae 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    I was diagnosed in May with Stage IV lung cancer.  My oncologist got me in to clinical trials and I get an infusion every three weeks.  Will be having my third one tomorrow.  I'm a single, 70 year old woman  living in rural VA.  I have a pretty good support network of friends who are helping me out with so many aspects of my life.  

    I've had so may side effects including pain at the drain site on my left side, pain on the right fraom a large mass.  It has taken some time but I'm finally on enough pain meds that it is under control for the most part.  These two things make it very difficult to find a comfortable position to get much sleep and I tend to get most of my sleep in short stretches in my recliner.  Some of the meds have given me bad constipation but regular amounts of prune juice and stool softener have helped to manage that.  Shortness of breath and very little stamina are an ongoing issue.  I just had a CAT scan with contrast and the stuff I had to drink later resulted in the worst diarrhea that I have ever had.  The paperwork I was given at discharge made absolutely no mention of that possibility although it did cover several other side effects.  It makes me very mad that there was nothing about getting such a bad case of the runs and so I was unprepared for that.

    A home health nurse comes in once a week to drain the exess fluid from my lung and she has taught another person how to also do it so it gets done twice a week.  Currently getting about 1,300 milliliters per week.  

     

     

     

     

    Hang in there

    I can't offer any advice since I came to this forum to look for any experience people have with VAT biopsies. I had endometrial cancer and they're checking for metastasis on my lungs. But I wanted to say that I'm sending good vibes and virtual hugs your way. I'm praying your treatment works and that the side effects subside so that this is more manageable.

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