Lung biopsy today...

eihtak
eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
in Anal Cancer #1

Hi,

So I survived my broncoscopy to gather a lung biopsy today and while I don't like being put out or sedated, it all went quite well. I have a bit of a sore throat and am tired now, but otherwise feeling fine.

The nurse said that the initial pathology does confirm an anal met as we had suspected, but that my doctor would contact me with more details. For those of you who don't know my history I was dx with anal cancer stage 3b in 2011, breast cancer in 2012, an anal metastases to my lung in 2015 and now once again.

Fortunately and really in my mind somewhat of a miracle...I have managed to recover well after each miserable course of treatment and in fact in some ways feeling healthier than before. That is once again my plan!

I will meet with/talk to my oncologist and radiation oncologist after a phone consult from Dr. Eng and then proceed with what they anticipate to be radiation. After a couple months I will be scanned and then evaluate the need for chemo.

On the upside, I feel great (well at least if I keep my mind busy and focused on what is really important and positive in my life)...I will keep you all in the loop as things move forward.

Thank you all for the well wishes and positive vibes...I feel the love!

katheryn

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    edited August 2018 #2
    katheryn

    I'm glad you tolerated the procedure so well, but am sorry that the preliminary path report shows mets.  Cry  For you, it's sort of "same song, new version."  I'm so sorry you have to go through treatment again.  You certainly have been through the wringer.  I have never met you, yet, I know you are one of the strongest people I've ever come across.  I am truly amazed at all of your comebacks and I see another one in your future.  You WILL get through this!  I'm glad Dr. Eng is on your team.  She is truly committed to helping those who have AC mets.  I'm glad you are feeling good.  Being mentally and physically strong will help you get through this.  I will certainly be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and I know you'll keep us posted along the way as you tackle this latest challenge.  May God bless you!

  • ACinNC
    ACinNC Member Posts: 46
    #3
    lung mets

    Oh phooey, sorry it did turn out as you suspected but you'v got a great attitiude and good doctors on your team.  You've been down this road too many times and I hope this is the last cancer in your lifetime.

    Did your shortness of breath episodes quit for good?  I'm glad you are feeling well as you head into the new radiation sessions. 

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    edited August 2018 #4
    ACinNC said:

    lung mets

    Oh phooey, sorry it did turn out as you suspected but you'v got a great attitiude and good doctors on your team.  You've been down this road too many times and I hope this is the last cancer in your lifetime.

    Did your shortness of breath episodes quit for good?  I'm glad you are feeling well as you head into the new radiation sessions. 

    ACinNc...

    Phooey yes, but at least I still have treatment options for now! And you are right, I seem to be traveling a little too much down this road, but gosh I've met some terrific folks en route!

    My shortness of breath has lessened significantly over the past year but still have it occasionally upon exertion like walking uphill in the heat. It seems if I keep going though, I work through it and it goes away. Its really unusual and hard to explain. There are stretches of days when I don't notice it at all and then other times when I can't seem to get a full yawn or breath just sitting still???

    SOB can be related to many other things like low iron, blood sugar levels out of wack, dehydration, and allergies, so when it got better I assumed (and maybe partially at least it was) related to something like that.

    I remember you mentioned that lung mets were a concern of yours...are you having symptoms? A cough?

    katheryn

  • Mollymaude
    Mollymaude Member Posts: 431 Member
    #5
    Katheryn

    I am so sorry about the met to your lung. You and Martha are the people on this forum that are so wise and well informed and supportive. Thank you so much for all the posts you’ve written in support of others. Now it’s our turn to support you. I will be praying for you. 

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #6
    Mollymaude

    Thank you for your compliment.  I think there are many, many well-informed people on this site, however, including you.  We all do our part to support each other and that's what makes it so great!  I hope you are doing well!

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    edited August 2018 #7
    mp327 said:

    katheryn

    I'm glad you tolerated the procedure so well, but am sorry that the preliminary path report shows mets.  Cry  For you, it's sort of "same song, new version."  I'm so sorry you have to go through treatment again.  You certainly have been through the wringer.  I have never met you, yet, I know you are one of the strongest people I've ever come across.  I am truly amazed at all of your comebacks and I see another one in your future.  You WILL get through this!  I'm glad Dr. Eng is on your team.  She is truly committed to helping those who have AC mets.  I'm glad you are feeling good.  Being mentally and physically strong will help you get through this.  I will certainly be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and I know you'll keep us posted along the way as you tackle this latest challenge.  May God bless you!

    Martha...

    Thank you,

    Its funny because we were pretty certain that the report would say it was cancer and not benign but when discussing with my daughter while waiting we felt that if our choices would then be anal cancer mets, breast cancer mets, or an all together 3rd cancer, we had kind of thought anal would be best, at the very least familiar. So, when the nurse told us the result we both said "oh good" in a relieved tone...she looked bewildered I must say.

    I am really fortunate to have faith, friends, family, and access to quality care to help me through this. I've never been a gambler, but I have a good feeling about this and although there may be some hills to climb, I feel like I'll make it. (Well, at least thats how I feel tonight...tomorrow is a different day)

    Thank you again for your kind words and support.

    katheryn

  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    edited August 2018 #8
    Mollymaude said:

    Katheryn

    I am so sorry about the met to your lung. You and Martha are the people on this forum that are so wise and well informed and supportive. Thank you so much for all the posts you’ve written in support of others. Now it’s our turn to support you. I will be praying for you. 

    Mollymaude...

    Thank you for the support and prayers.

    Over the years I have found so much support, advice, tips, and bits of knowledge to make this journey just a little easier from everyone here. Its can be such a comfort just knowing that we are not alone in this. While my family and friends will do all they can to help, the one thing they can not truly do is to understand the details of what we go through unless (and I pray they never do) they go through it themselves. Thats why everyone here is so very important to each other...we are able to "get it" and I am so grateful for you all and will welcome that support with open arms as I move forward.

    katheryn

     

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #9
    eihtak said:

    Martha...

    Thank you,

    Its funny because we were pretty certain that the report would say it was cancer and not benign but when discussing with my daughter while waiting we felt that if our choices would then be anal cancer mets, breast cancer mets, or an all together 3rd cancer, we had kind of thought anal would be best, at the very least familiar. So, when the nurse told us the result we both said "oh good" in a relieved tone...she looked bewildered I must say.

    I am really fortunate to have faith, friends, family, and access to quality care to help me through this. I've never been a gambler, but I have a good feeling about this and although there may be some hills to climb, I feel like I'll make it. (Well, at least thats how I feel tonight...tomorrow is a different day)

    Thank you again for your kind words and support.

    katheryn

    katheryn

    I'm sure that nurse has never heard anyone say "oh good" when they find out they have cancer mets.  I can only imagine the look on her face.  You know how to fight this beast and I know you will come out on top!  You are in my thoughts and prayers!

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