Lobectomy

ksk1226
ksk1226 Member Posts: 15

Today is 1 week 1 day since my lobectomy of my rt. lower lung.  The pain is incredible, but is lessening every day.   

My story began with a coronary scan screening for high cholestrial, those numbers were fine, however a spot on my lung was determined, that sent me for another type of Ct.  That did determine a mass on my lung, so after a broncopsopy and then a week later and EBUS, the conclusion was most definatetly a mass with cancer was resting on my rt. lower lobe.  Doctors recommented the Lobectomy since PETSCAN showed no other areas lighting up.  So, here I am 1 week and 1 day after and still suffering with the pain and the discomfort. It is improving each day so far.  The results showed Lymph Noids negative, but mass was 4 centimeters so treatment is going to follow.  

Has anyone have any thoughts and suggestions about treatment.  So far the word radiation is being thrown out there.  I meet with the Oncologist in 4 days and I guess I will know more at that time.  Any suggestions as far as questions etc. to discuss with the doctor.

Has Anyone gone thru radiation treatment for this Stage 2 Lung Cancer?  Has anyone had any other type of treatments for this type of cancer?

Thank you 

Karen

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Comments

  • ksk1226
    ksk1226 Member Posts: 15
    edited April 2019 #2
    Chemo

    Ok just found out I will getting 4 to 6 treatments of Chemo..Any Advice

  • jorola
    jorola Member Posts: 243 Member
    Stage 2 is very cureable

    So aweome they found it early!

    So chemo is not as scary as the movies make it out to be. However the medications that are prescried to go along with your treatment to help with th side effects are a must. I am going to assume you are from the US? Do you have a good medical plan?

    Some tips:

    - First and foremost drink tonnes and i mean tonnes of water. Very importrant you stay hydrated

    - Eat well, especially now as you may lose your appetite but I kinda doubt it with only that many treatments. I think my husband had 38 treatments and the beam eded up burning his esphoagus so eating became a real problem.

    - Dress in layers, people often tend to get cold during the treatment

    - Take something to do, you may be there a while

    - make sure you have a ride the first time until you know how you react to it. My husband got "drunk' on chemo and would not have been safe to drive afterwards so I always had to drive him.

    - It may make you drowsy - nap if you need to, don't push it

    Check out this link to CSN's info on chemo. It should help too. Remember they caught it early and the goal is a cure. Fcus on that ok?

    https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/chemotherapy.html

     

     

     

  • blessme
    blessme Member Posts: 11
    Karen  I go in on 18th for

    Karen  I go in on 18th for MRI and Cat scan. I also had a nodular found in my lower left lung. Biospy was done and they say I have non-small cell cancer. I am healthy and don't take any medications,so all of this has me scared. Doctors have mentioned radiation and chemo. I have no idea what to expect or do I have no support or anyone to talk to.What ever you find out keep posting. This is my next journey and your information will help me. Thank you 

  • ksk1226
    ksk1226 Member Posts: 15
    edited April 2019 #5
    jorola said:

    Stage 2 is very cureable

    So aweome they found it early!

    So chemo is not as scary as the movies make it out to be. However the medications that are prescried to go along with your treatment to help with th side effects are a must. I am going to assume you are from the US? Do you have a good medical plan?

    Some tips:

    - First and foremost drink tonnes and i mean tonnes of water. Very importrant you stay hydrated

    - Eat well, especially now as you may lose your appetite but I kinda doubt it with only that many treatments. I think my husband had 38 treatments and the beam eded up burning his esphoagus so eating became a real problem.

    - Dress in layers, people often tend to get cold during the treatment

    - Take something to do, you may be there a while

    - make sure you have a ride the first time until you know how you react to it. My husband got "drunk' on chemo and would not have been safe to drive afterwards so I always had to drive him.

    - It may make you drowsy - nap if you need to, don't push it

    Check out this link to CSN's info on chemo. It should help too. Remember they caught it early and the goal is a cure. Fcus on that ok?

    https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/chemotherapy.html

     

     

     

    Thank you Jorola for all your

    Thank you Jorola for all your advise.  And yes I am from the US we do have pretty ok Insurane.  Have a 5,000 deduct, met that and have a 10,000 out of pocket getting close to meeting that.  Tomorrow I get the port put in, did your husband have that?  I do feel lucky that it was caught early, and purely by accident.  Went in to have a coronary CT done for my cholestrial, an they found a spot on my lung that then sent me for a CT of that area.

    Alittle nervous about Chemo which starts next week, from what I'm hearing it doesn't sound like its going to be too bad...I HOPE

  • ksk1226
    ksk1226 Member Posts: 15
    blessme said:

    Karen  I go in on 18th for

    Karen  I go in on 18th for MRI and Cat scan. I also had a nodular found in my lower left lung. Biospy was done and they say I have non-small cell cancer. I am healthy and don't take any medications,so all of this has me scared. Doctors have mentioned radiation and chemo. I have no idea what to expect or do I have no support or anyone to talk to.What ever you find out keep posting. This is my next journey and your information will help me. Thank you 

    Hi Blessme,

    Hi Blessme,

    I know exactly how you are feeling, because when they told me all this, I was also super scared and in shock.  My Dad passed away 16 years ago from lung cancer, then just recently I lost my Aunt, my Mom and my sister to lung cancer.  The worst was my sister, when she got diagnosed she was already stage 4 but she had no hope for life and became extremely negative and did not last very long.  

    I feel lucky that mine was caught early only because I went in for a CT for my cholestrial and they saw the spot.  3 weeks ago I had a lobectomy where they removed part of my lung and some lymph noids that were tested and were negative for any cancer cells.  They will be starting chemo next week but they say it is only precautionary because they  got all the cancer and want to prevent it from coming back eleswhere.

    Are they planning on surgery for you to remove the mass?  Have you had a pet scan yet?  If the mass is just in the one place and they suggest surgery although the recoup is painful for a couple of weeks, but if they can get it out then they can treat with some chemo, this is what I am having and hopefully this is the right thing to do.  Good Luck and keep me posted.

  • jorola
    jorola Member Posts: 243 Member
    ksk1226 said:

    Thank you Jorola for all your

    Thank you Jorola for all your advise.  And yes I am from the US we do have pretty ok Insurane.  Have a 5,000 deduct, met that and have a 10,000 out of pocket getting close to meeting that.  Tomorrow I get the port put in, did your husband have that?  I do feel lucky that it was caught early, and purely by accident.  Went in to have a coronary CT done for my cholestrial, an they found a spot on my lung that then sent me for a CT of that area.

    Alittle nervous about Chemo which starts next week, from what I'm hearing it doesn't sound like its going to be too bad...I HOPE

    There is always hope

    It is ok to be nervous. Who wouldn't be? I was nervous for my husband. LOL I was more nervous than him! It worked out in the end. He knew he was going to beat it. He settled that in his heart, mind and soul from the begining. I truly believe that mind set made a diffierence. So believe hun. BELIEVE with all you got that you are going to whoop this things butt ok?

    As for the port, he did have one in his arm. Was no big deal at all. Some get one up high on the chest. A little more to getting that one but not much. Trust me the port makes your life much easier although showering is annoying. Just use LOTS of seran/cling wrap.

  • ksk1226
    ksk1226 Member Posts: 15
    jorola said:

    There is always hope

    It is ok to be nervous. Who wouldn't be? I was nervous for my husband. LOL I was more nervous than him! It worked out in the end. He knew he was going to beat it. He settled that in his heart, mind and soul from the begining. I truly believe that mind set made a diffierence. So believe hun. BELIEVE with all you got that you are going to whoop this things butt ok?

    As for the port, he did have one in his arm. Was no big deal at all. Some get one up high on the chest. A little more to getting that one but not much. Trust me the port makes your life much easier although showering is annoying. Just use LOTS of seran/cling wrap.

    Thank you Jorola, next Thurs.

    Thank you Jorola, next Thurs. I start Chemo. Do you know anything as far as the side effects.  I will be taking the Carboplatin and the Pemetrexed (Alimta).

    I am planning on going back to work the following Monday, do you think I will be ok.  I am a receptionist, so mostly sitting but having to have to get up and down alot of the time.

    What is it like to feel this fatigue that they talk about?

  • jorola
    jorola Member Posts: 243 Member
    ksk1226 said:

    Thank you Jorola, next Thurs.

    Thank you Jorola, next Thurs. I start Chemo. Do you know anything as far as the side effects.  I will be taking the Carboplatin and the Pemetrexed (Alimta).

    I am planning on going back to work the following Monday, do you think I will be ok.  I am a receptionist, so mostly sitting but having to have to get up and down alot of the time.

    What is it like to feel this fatigue that they talk about?

    How are you feeling?

     

    Sorry I did not see your message until now. Everyone, of course, reacts differently. I can tell you that my husband Mick is his name btw, who never napped before, was ok the first couple of rounds. After that he showed signs of fatigue to the point of pure exhaustion. As in he fell asleep anytime, any where and for long periods. It was not just physical fatigue but mental as well. And it built. The more chemo sessions he had the more he felt the side effects.

     

    Now you also have to take in account the types of chemo - he was on etoposide and cisplatin - the dosages, which I have no clue of. The doctor did say he was going to give it as strong as Mick could take as this was a last shot to save him. Probably the best people to ask are the RN's who administer your chemo or of course your Dr. Your RN's though see the people daily who are receiving the chemo. They may be better able to give you an idea.

     

    Just please, if you have the insurance, sick time or whatever, use it if you need to. If you have limited amount then yes now is the time to return to work if you can. Explore your options there.

     

  • tmassar
    tmassar Member Posts: 4
    ksk1226 - I've had a lobectomy followed by radiation

    ksk1226 - If I were you knowing what I know now I would ask them about all possible side affects so you can be somewhat prepared if that happens. I thought I was in the clear after radiation but side effects showed up 5 months after radiation. I have also had chemo to prevent and kill other cells that may show up soewhere else. I feel like the chemo was more predictable to deal with. I had my left upper lobe removed 1/15/16 with radiation to follow when I recovered form surgery. If they decide to do radiation ask them if there is any way to do target radiation so it doesn't affect other areas so much. All of these are doable and you will get past it, don't read books or go on the web to read about your cancer, just stay as busy as you can as you move foreward and it will definitely help staying busy. You can definitely beat this and live a good life after you get past this. I wish you the best and you are in my prayers.

    Terry - Atlanta

  • tmassar
    tmassar Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2019 #11
    ksk1226 said:

    Chemo

    Ok just found out I will getting 4 to 6 treatments of Chemo..Any Advice

    Chemo

    I prefer chemo to radiation. I had 6 treatments and it was not as bad as I had thought in my mind. After each infusion I had a few good days with a couple of not so good days to follow but they weren't that bad just not good. I went to work every day except the day I had my infusion and work helped me a great deal, gave me something to do to occupy my mind instead of the thoughts of cancer and treatments. God luck, stay busy, and keep your good attitude and you will be fine.

    Terry - Atlanta

  • ksk1226
    ksk1226 Member Posts: 15
    tmassar said:

    Chemo

    I prefer chemo to radiation. I had 6 treatments and it was not as bad as I had thought in my mind. After each infusion I had a few good days with a couple of not so good days to follow but they weren't that bad just not good. I went to work every day except the day I had my infusion and work helped me a great deal, gave me something to do to occupy my mind instead of the thoughts of cancer and treatments. God luck, stay busy, and keep your good attitude and you will be fine.

    Terry - Atlanta

    Thank you Terry, I feel

    Thank you Terry, I feel better knowing that you DID go to work everyday and did ok there.  I guess thats my fear, don't want to get to work and feel sick.  I start treatment this thurs and going to see how the weekend goes, if ok I am scheduled to go back to work on Monday.  I am hoping for the best.  Why did you not go in on the days of your treatment. I was told that I should feel pretty good that day.  Its the couple of days after that I won't feel to good. 

    Karen

  • ksk1226
    ksk1226 Member Posts: 15
    jorola said:

    How are you feeling?

     

    Sorry I did not see your message until now. Everyone, of course, reacts differently. I can tell you that my husband Mick is his name btw, who never napped before, was ok the first couple of rounds. After that he showed signs of fatigue to the point of pure exhaustion. As in he fell asleep anytime, any where and for long periods. It was not just physical fatigue but mental as well. And it built. The more chemo sessions he had the more he felt the side effects.

     

    Now you also have to take in account the types of chemo - he was on etoposide and cisplatin - the dosages, which I have no clue of. The doctor did say he was going to give it as strong as Mick could take as this was a last shot to save him. Probably the best people to ask are the RN's who administer your chemo or of course your Dr. Your RN's though see the people daily who are receiving the chemo. They may be better able to give you an idea.

     

    Just please, if you have the insurance, sick time or whatever, use it if you need to. If you have limited amount then yes now is the time to return to work if you can. Explore your options there.

     

    Thank you for your support. 

    Thank you for your support.  I will find out more about the treatment on the day of, I'm sure.  I start Thurs. and if all is ok over the weekend I am planning on going back to work on Monday.  I have Short term disability but I love the people I work with and they have been extremely supportive during these past month.  I will try work but if I am feeling too sick or to stressed I will take more time off.  I hope your husband is doing better now.  

  • ksk1226
    ksk1226 Member Posts: 15
    tmassar said:

    ksk1226 - I've had a lobectomy followed by radiation

    ksk1226 - If I were you knowing what I know now I would ask them about all possible side affects so you can be somewhat prepared if that happens. I thought I was in the clear after radiation but side effects showed up 5 months after radiation. I have also had chemo to prevent and kill other cells that may show up soewhere else. I feel like the chemo was more predictable to deal with. I had my left upper lobe removed 1/15/16 with radiation to follow when I recovered form surgery. If they decide to do radiation ask them if there is any way to do target radiation so it doesn't affect other areas so much. All of these are doable and you will get past it, don't read books or go on the web to read about your cancer, just stay as busy as you can as you move foreward and it will definitely help staying busy. You can definitely beat this and live a good life after you get past this. I wish you the best and you are in my prayers.

    Terry - Atlanta

    Thank you Terry.  No

    Thank you Terry.  No radiation due to that they said they got all the cancer and there is nothing to radiate, so just chemo for preventative measures.  

    Thanks again,

    Karen

  • blessme
    blessme Member Posts: 11
    ksk1226 said:

    Hi Blessme,

    Hi Blessme,

    I know exactly how you are feeling, because when they told me all this, I was also super scared and in shock.  My Dad passed away 16 years ago from lung cancer, then just recently I lost my Aunt, my Mom and my sister to lung cancer.  The worst was my sister, when she got diagnosed she was already stage 4 but she had no hope for life and became extremely negative and did not last very long.  

    I feel lucky that mine was caught early only because I went in for a CT for my cholestrial and they saw the spot.  3 weeks ago I had a lobectomy where they removed part of my lung and some lymph noids that were tested and were negative for any cancer cells.  They will be starting chemo next week but they say it is only precautionary because they  got all the cancer and want to prevent it from coming back eleswhere.

    Are they planning on surgery for you to remove the mass?  Have you had a pet scan yet?  If the mass is just in the one place and they suggest surgery although the recoup is painful for a couple of weeks, but if they can get it out then they can treat with some chemo, this is what I am having and hopefully this is the right thing to do.  Good Luck and keep me posted.

    I am having surgery on the

    I am having surgery on the 10th to remove lower left lobe.I have no cancer any where else. I am glad it was found early stage 1. I have never been in hospital I am just really scared and  don,t know what to expect. Hope you or feeling good and Chemo hasn't been hard for you. Thank you for being here for me 

     

     

     

  • tmassar
    tmassar Member Posts: 4
    edited May 2019 #16
    ksk1226 said:

    Thank you Terry.  No

    Thank you Terry.  No radiation due to that they said they got all the cancer and there is nothing to radiate, so just chemo for preventative measures.  

    Thanks again,

    Karen

    Karen

    Karen

    NO RADIATION great news. Cancer free has a good sound doesn't it. I now you must be relieved and ready to get the treatment part of this behind you. Seems like once you've had this you are continually going to the doctor for check ups and testing. I was about to go to testing once a year when cancer showed up again so it was start this all over again - pain in the butt but a necessity.

    Hope you are done with cancer and never experience this again. I'm happy for you.

    Terry

  • jorola
    jorola Member Posts: 243 Member
    ksk1226 said:

    Thank you Terry.  No

    Thank you Terry.  No radiation due to that they said they got all the cancer and there is nothing to radiate, so just chemo for preventative measures.  

    Thanks again,

    Karen

    Wonderful news!

    Sorry I am late to the party. I am ever so happy for you Karen! 

    Jodie

  • ksk1226
    ksk1226 Member Posts: 15
    blessme said:

    I am having surgery on the

    I am having surgery on the 10th to remove lower left lobe.I have no cancer any where else. I am glad it was found early stage 1. I have never been in hospital I am just really scared and  don,t know what to expect. Hope you or feeling good and Chemo hasn't been hard for you. Thank you for being here for me 

     

     

     

    Hoping you made out well with

    Hoping you made out well with your surgery. The pain sucks for a while but that does let up.  Glad to hear no other cells found.  Had 1 treatment of chemo.  Was good untill today, feelling the nausea and fatigue, buut if it only lasts a day or 2 I can handle this.  Good luck and feel better real soon.

  • blessme
    blessme Member Posts: 11
    ksk1226 said:

    Hoping you made out well with

    Hoping you made out well with your surgery. The pain sucks for a while but that does let up.  Glad to hear no other cells found.  Had 1 treatment of chemo.  Was good untill today, feelling the nausea and fatigue, buut if it only lasts a day or 2 I can handle this.  Good luck and feel better real soon.

    I am home feeling really good

    I am home feeling really good,I do have metal stitches that or causing some discomfort. I had no chemo or radiation go see my surgeon on the 21st. Got you in my prayers you get to feeling better and take care. Thank you for being here for me.

     

  • ksk1226
    ksk1226 Member Posts: 15
    blessme said:

    I am home feeling really good

    I am home feeling really good,I do have metal stitches that or causing some discomfort. I had no chemo or radiation go see my surgeon on the 21st. Got you in my prayers you get to feeling better and take care. Thank you for being here for me.

     

    Thank you glad to hear your

    Thank you glad to hear your doing well.  Had 1 round of chemo and getting ready for my second round this week.. First couple days not bad then 3 days later boom, it hits only lasted about 3 to 4 days then back to normal.  Only have 2 more after this week.  I can handle it.  Thank you for being there for me and stay feeling good.

  • jorola
    jorola Member Posts: 243 Member
    ksk1226 said:

    Thank you glad to hear your

    Thank you glad to hear your doing well.  Had 1 round of chemo and getting ready for my second round this week.. First couple days not bad then 3 days later boom, it hits only lasted about 3 to 4 days then back to normal.  Only have 2 more after this week.  I can handle it.  Thank you for being there for me and stay feeling good.

    Good to hear you are doing ok

    You are taking this fight like a champ.