Just diagnosed with lung cancer

PBJ Austin said:

I see.
OK, if they can't do a biopsy then I hope they will find another way to give you the information you need. Good luck and I will keep you in my prayers.

There is hope
I know how you feel. I was diaginosed in may 09 with a tumor the size of a baseball in my right lung.
went thru chemo and radiation ( heavy dose) I was so scared and so was my husband. I think the worst part is on the families.back to treatment- I did not lose my hair I did lose 40 pounds and have now put 30 back on!! could not have surgery due to heavy radiation, at first I was really scared but the 2 pet scans showed the tumor shrinking severly, (THANK GOD) yes you have to have a lot of faith and prayers going thru this. the dr said he did not want to see me for 2 months and that at the rate it was going he feels that I only need a chest x-ray at this point..he said any changes and he has a new preventive treatment we can do but at this time we do not need it. I also was taken off work, i HAD A VERY STESSFUL JOB AND i REALLY THINK THAT GETTING AWAY FROM THAT HELPED.you need your family and friends and a LOT of faith and prayers thru this. my husband stiil has his days and just last night said he is so thankful as he can not imingine life with out me that he would have no reason to come home at night. this is why I think it"s harder on loved ones as I am happy and looking forward to many years with him and the kids and grandkids

diagnosed
I was just diagnosed in February. Also just had 3rd Chemo Cocktail yesterday. After the next one is a new MRI to see if the one tumor in my lung has shrunk. I also had to have a tumor removed from my colon. This disease sucks. I had a life in January and one month later cancer is trying to kill me and I am scared to death. I am only 51. I did to myself smoking. Live to all, don't ever stop believing you will live and be happy, I hang on to it so tight I will make the odds.

playmach said:

Biopsy
They told me that where the mass is they cannot get to it to do a biopsy. I am so thankful that you are talking to me!!!! Thaks Esther

How Are You Today?
playmach: I saw your messages and can feel your nervousness. Are you okay today?

While I find it hard to believe that a biopsy cannot be done, I would assume that you and your doctor(s) have discussed it at length, that you are satisfied that that is the case, and that you have developed a level of confidence with him/her. If not, you might want to consider asking for another opinion on whether a biopsy can be done. At least you may want to research more into your own situation, as scary as that may be, but the more you know, the better prepared you will be to assist in your own recovery, including understanding what the doctors say and what it may mean to your treatment. This Network is one good place to be for that. YOU will be making the choices in the steps that follow. You will need to be confident. Scared is okay, we all have been; but, this is your life and you will call the shots. Your attitude and approach can help you get through this. It is vital to be positive. The support of family and friends can go a long way to helping with this.

So you know, I am currently under treatment for metastisized renal cell CA (RCC), first diagnosed and "surgerized" in 1994. I have been without my left kidney since then (CA-free for 15 years). I now have a right lung tumor diagnosed in November 2009, which is dangerously close to major heart structures. I have been taking oral chemotherapy since then to shrink the tumor sufficiently to permit other intervention. Despite the location of the tumor, I had a "through the chest" biopsy done to confirm the RCC. Make sure that the biopsy is out of the question because lab results of tumor tissue are the best diagnostic tools.

For now, if you can, relax. The tests that are planned will be helpful in diagnosis and plotting your next steps. These often take time to set up and report on, but if the situation called for more immediate action it is likely that your doctor would speed it up. You may want to ask him/her for more timely tests, if possible. There may be limitations on resources to do them in your area or with your health care provider. Either way, you should be told why. If you haven't already done so, consider doing research to see what is generally called for in cases like yours. If your doctor has not brought up things that you've found and are of concern to you, ask about them and be sure that you are satisfied that you understand his/her thinking and how these things affect you.

I hope you are doing better today. I'll be thinking of you.