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I just wanted everyone to know that I'm wishing you well as we deal with the virus. I know many of us are waiting for treatment and staying in our homes. My best to all!!! Ro

The radiologist indicates all my wife's issues are chemo related except for esophagus pain. Not sure I believe that entirely. I need to go back and read my posts again but it "feels" like blood issues got worse as additional chemo cycles occurred. She starts 4th cycle next Tue. Steve

Good morning! I just registered today, but I've been lurking around the site for months and have gotten so much helpful information here. So first of all, a sincere thank you to the folks that post here. I can't tell you how helpful it is to the newly diagnosed. I'm 59 years old and incredibly healthy until I was diagnosed with lung cancer. I felt absolutely fine with no symptoms. It's been about six months now and I think I'm still a little shocked! My story is a little strange. A 2.5 cm nodule was found in my lower right lobe on a routine x-ray back in 2010. I had a PET scan at that time and it was negative. The nodule was monitored for six years. I had CT scans every three months for two years, twice a year for two years and then once a year for two years. There was no change to the nodule over that period, it was pronounced "stable" and I was told that I no longer needed scans. Fast forward to 2019 and a new Primary physician that went over my chart very thoroughly went I became his patient. He was concerned about the nodule. He was absolutely persistent that I get a CT scan even though the Pulmonary specialist said that I didn't require them. He nagged enough that I finally gave in and went for the scan. The results were shocking, the nodule had doubled in size and had became a 5.5 cm mass. Long story short, I had all of the usual tests. Biopsy determined it to be adenocarcinoma. PET scan only indicated activity in that lobe. MRI of the brain was clear. I was referred to a surgeon who intended to do an "open" lobectomy with the rib spreading, long incision, epidural, week long hospital stay, 10 weeks off work... I knew that there must be a less invasive method available in 2020 and started surfing. I found this site and read for days. I read about the VATS and robotic surgery and knew that was what I wanted. I found an amazing new surgeon and hospital and had my robotic lobectomy on Feb. 21st. There was no lymph node involvement and was staged 2B. I was out of the hospital in 2 days, out to lunch in two weeks and back to work after 5 weeks. I'm moving on to chemo now, so will start lurking on those boards instead of the surgery board lol So my question is this...with Stage 2B adenocarcinoma with no apparent metastasis or lymph node involvement...does 4 rounds of cisplatin/alimta sound like a typical treatment plan to those of you that are more experienced in this? Thanks!

How was everyone's weekend? We had a warm day on Saturday before storms came through and a lot of people were out on their driveways in our neighborhood. It was so nice to see people in real life when we went on a walk. Everyone stayed at least 10 feet apart and we crossed the street if someone was coming towards us. But it just felt nice to see real people. We have been playing a lot of Sequence and Rumikub but realized we left most of our games at the lake house when we were there over Winter Break. Any good game recommendations?

This morning in a LUNGevity staff email, we were sent this youtube video. It is filled with good news.

Thanks so much for the response on the adjuvant therapy Tom! I will definitely read about your experience with chemo, I appreciate the info. For whatever reason, the chemotherapy portion of treatment is making me much more nervous than the actual surgery. The start date is also being delayed while because of my recent lung surgery/potential exposure to the covid-19 virus so I am starting 10 weeks post surgery rather than 8. I know exactly where the tank plant is and we just live a couple of miles from Lake St Clair. We spend most of our free time in the summer on the lake. It is truly the best part of living in this area...almost makes up for the horrible winters

DebM, Welcome here and glad you persisted in getting the type of surgery you desired, and that you are well recovered and ready for chemo. Four infusions of a cisplatin and Altima does appear to be the right treatment for adjuvant therapy. This combination will likely be a less than full strength dose and is designed to sweep errant cancer cells from the bloodstream and lymphatic system. During my adjuvant therapy before surgery, I didn’t even lose my hair! A summary of my experience with chemo is found at Lung Cancer Navigator > Lung Cancer 101. It is titled “Reflections on Infusion.” I am very knowledgeable about Macomb Michigan. I was stationed at the Army Tank Automotive Command in Warren. I miss my fishing excursions on Lake Saint Clair! Stay the course. Tom

*copied from my welcome post* Hi Everyone - sorry to meet under these circumstances My dad has been unwell for a long time. After years of poor health his "liver numbers" shot up from a steady 30 (steady for 6 years), to 380 then 540 within a couple weeks. He was given an ultrasound immediately and they could see his liver was "swollen and full of lumps". He waited weeks for a CT (the only one on island was being repaired) and we were all devastated to learn that it strongly suggested cancer throughout a lung, through to the liver, and possible in lymph nodes as well. The multiple doctors who have reviewed so far have said that it is metastatic lung cancer even though we have yet to have a biopsy. We have waited ages for the CT, watching him be in increasing pain, with his appetite shrinking daily. We now await the biospy (about 3 weeks since CT) which he is due to get next week. We are terrified of sending him into the country's ONLY hospital during this pandemic for what is 'technically' a non-essential elective procedure, but we (family and doctors) all feel that he cannot wait any longer for the biospy/wait for this pandemic to calm. Determining the type of cancer will help us know how quick it will spread and how long he has. We have 4 days to wait for the biopsy and who knows how long for the results. I cannot even spend time with my dad right now because of the pandemic and I feel like i am watching him wither away... via skype. I am hoping to gain some sort of idea (realistic) about how much time we may have. My mom and I are trying to be realistic. We understand that this is terminal. Would anyone who has had a loved one pass (or is going through this now) be able to give us an idea of where we are in the process? He is in poor health in pretty much all areas. I know this hurts his prognosis. He was a chain smoker, heavy drinker (although he gave up Cigarettes in 2010 and hasn't been able to drink for months). He obviously hasn't had any treatment given the fact we don't even know which type he has. When I try to get answers online, everything links the nausea with the chemotherapy. From all these things, we know we won't have years. I am just trying to determine if these symptoms are indicating weeks vs months. I am wishing everyone comfort and love during the journey

The doctors messed up his biopsy, and whilst the hospital cancelled all elective procedures, he found himself battling for an opportunity to have the biopsy. It was booked, then cancelled, then booked again. He is due to go in on Monday. He has so much abdominal pain that he has been on morphine for several days now. He went for pre-biopsy bloodwork this afternoon and learned that despite being off of warfarin, his blood levels indicated he was (a sign of liver lesions). He needed to go on a medication to correct this prior to the biopsy. Pharmacies were due to close within a few minutes and the doctor still hadn't called it in. the country goes on a blanket curfew as of 8pm tonight, with no one allowed to be on the roads, else risking arrest, fines and jail. He collapsed on his way back into the house and the family was called to assist in lifting him up/getting him in. While we awaited the prescription call, the doctor called back to say more results had been sent in and his kidneys were failing - he needed to go to the hospital immediately. He cant walk. He can't eat. He can't stand. He's lost 30 lbs. It's only been one month since this strange journey began and we don't really even have an answer as to what is going on. I can't help but be in a negative place right now. I am trying to be happy that he is now in the hospital, will receive fluids/nutrients - i just feel hopeless