Hello Justin, it’s been a bit since I’ve been in here but was reading through your post. I wanted to let you know that I went through the same diagnosis. Diagnosed on Feb 13, 2018. They found the spot during a X-ray Dec 29, 2017. It does take a while to get things going.
Stage 3b and told no chance for surgery. The main tumor was in my left upper lobe and 3 lymph nodes in the center of my chest.
I was given a cocktail of Carbo/Toxal and 28 days radiation. My esophagus was a huge problem and I actually had to go see a digestive health dr to help me swallow. I went in twice for her to stretch my esophagus. They challenge was keeping my strength up. I drank a lot of ginger ale and water. I tried every type of ice cream, anything to get my calories.
Like you I had no markers.
I went through the whole treatment only missing one chemo day due to low white count. I finished radiation and remember being so weak I thought I was hiking a mile into the center.
I know it was a long story but the end results were they were able to shrink the tumor and the radiation took care of the lymph nodes. I was able to have the surgery which removed my upper left lobe and the effected lymph nodes. I’ve been NED since Oct 2018.
the biggest thing for you is figure out what you can swallow and if you have any questions just ask me.
sending positive and healing thought your way
Paula