saw surgeon

crazylady · June 2007

Hi Everyone,
Thanks to all of you who responded to my last post.
I saw the surgeon today and found out that there is more than 1 spot in my lung. He is recommending surgery, the sooner, the better. Of course, the final decision is mine and I will decide next week after talking to the oncologist again though I'm leaning toward doing the surgery and not going on the cruise. The whole thing is extremely depressing. I know that I am lucky that surgery is an option, but at the moment I just don't feel very lucky. I just feel frustrated, angry, tired and emotionally wrecked! I really hate cancer!
I've always been a planner, but I'm realizing that I can't make long term plans and need to be more spontaneous. It's difficult because besides going against my basic personality I have kids in high school and friends who work. I don't want to do things alone!
Thanks for letting me vent!
Take care,
Jamie

robinvan · June 2007

Hi Jamie,
Thanks for posting with your latest news. Sorry to hear that your 50 year celebration year is running into snags. I can relate to being a planner, I'm that way too, and it totally sucks to get things in place and then see them unravel. Is there any chance you would be recovered well enough to make the cruise in August?? I quess it depends on surgery dates and recovery...
I hope you're able to find things that keep you celebrating in the midst of everything else.
Peace and blessings... Rob
-----------
"A Cancer Journal" www.rob-pollock.blogspot.com

Moesimo · June 2007

I am so sorry that you have to go through this. I had my colostomy surgery on 1/05. I went on a cruise to the carribean when I was only 7 weeks postop. I even went snorkeling, only once, but I did it. I dont know what the recovery involves after lung surgery. Perhaps you can ask your docs. I did have a good time. It was 3 weeks before I was home from the hosp. for good. I had to get readmitted twice and I had 2 open areas in my incision that had to be packed tweice a day. It was a great trip, my first cruise and I am glad that I went. I am now trying to plan another cruise for Jan.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Maureen

alta29 · June 2007

I know the feeling....I also hate this thing...but I'm learning to live with it ( even though I have my bad days) Like you said think about the positive side...you will have surgery, so will I this coming tuesday...when they told me that the cancer was back I cried for days...I was soooooooo scared...but when they told me that I could have surgery everything changed...you are on the road to meet NED....and you may still go to the cruise !!!!
God bless

Hanacallaghan · June 2007

Hi Jamie,

What kind of surgery are they going to do? Are they going to do VATS? That is how they removed my two nodules. It is minimally invasive. If your recovery is anything like mine, you should be able to do both. And...you will be relieved to have those suckers gone...If you need to start chemo maybe you could wait on that until after your cruise.

We were going to have a chemosensitivity assay test done on my nodules by Rational Therapeutics, if they turned out to be malignant. This process has just been approved by Medicare for breast cancer testing and is in the process of being approved for other cancers (Which tells me that it isn't snake oil) My Onc was all on board to do it. What they do is zap your tumor with different combinations of FDA approved Chemo drugs to see which ones kill your particular cancer cells. Check them out at www.Rationaltherapeutics.com. Insurance doesn't cover it yet. It cost $3500 to do. The lab then gives your Onc the report of which drugs work best.

Best to you and yours,

Hana

P.S. I HATE CANCER TOO

sladich · June 2007

Are you looking at getting your entire lung removed or just a lobe? I've had my lower left lobe removed and it was very painful. I spent a week in the hospital. Best of luck to you. I'm a planner also and cancer makes it very difficult to plan. I'm with you - CANCER SUCKS!!!

Debbie

hopefulone · June 2007

I'm sorry the news wasn't better, but you are right, it's great that you are able to have the surgery. You've still got a ways to go til August. Have they given you an anticipated recovery time? I hope you'll still be able to go on the cruise. If not, I hope you'll reschedule something else enjoyable as soon as your feeling well and sometimes the spontaneous things turn out to be the best! Positive thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. God Bless

Diane

shmurciakova · June 2007

Jamie,
You know what, you probably will be able to recover in time to go on your cruise, esp. if you go ahead and do it ASAP. You are extremely fortunate to be a surgical candidate. Speaking from experience. I had 2 lung nodules removed and I have been NED for quite some time now (don't want to jinx myself), but it is your best chance for cure. I did not have chemo afterwards, but I did return home, to Alaska, from Houston, TX after only a couple of weeks. It is a painful surgery and if you have an open procedure you will be in the hospital for an entire week, but after 3-4 weeks you will be fine and I see no reason that you cannot go on a cruise. As you know, you cannot get chemo right away after surgery anyway. I did not have chemo after my lung resection. I opted against it. But at any rate, Alaska is not going anywhere and if you cannot come now, I am here to tell you August is hit or miss. Our best weather by far is right now, in June, up until around July 4. BUT I don't think you need to cancel, you will be recovered by then! E-mail me, if your cruise comes to Seward, I will take you out to eat!
If you don't come now, the invitation is open.
Take care and keep your chin up!
-Susan H.

saw surgeon

Comments

Discussion Boards