Tom Galli

Sherry,
Welcome here. My severe joint pain was due to Taxol and Carboplatin-infused chemotherapy. The side effect occurred like clockwork starting about 24 hours after infusion and lasting 2 days. Then things would return to normal. Like you, I could hardly walk at all and when I did, I suffered great pain. Nothing, even narcotic medication, relieved this side effect. I had a total of 18 infusions in three years of treatment and once my treatment stopped, so did the joint pain. 
Stay the course.
Tom

Thank you Karen, I appreciate your kind thoughts and encouragement. Your comment about neighborhoods being interesting at 3 am made me laugh. I have found out recently who walks their dogs at 4 am 😊. I find thinking about our travels over the years helps me go back to sleep. A week from tomorrow I’ll be at the hospital getting prepped for my 8:30 am surgery and will any luck will have some wonderful anti anxiety meds on board 👍

Had my pre-op appointment yesterday which included EKG and bloodwork. Went over all pre-op instructions which included soap to use that morning and where and where not to use it 🫢. No food after midnight, no water after 4:00 am. I’m ok with those things but no coffee, now that’s the hard one. Got my spirometer to use when I come home. Since it will be my best friend for awhile, I’m thinking of naming it. Maybe that’s what I’ll try to think of when I’m awake at 3 am most nights now. I’ve made a list of things I want to pack and have  my husband bring me after surgery. Anxiety level starting to build. Hoping not to be a total basket case by the 6th. Surgery and the possible outcome is getting way too real. 

Good to hear.  Early diagnosis is a real benefit to success.
Lou

Hey all, just wanted to follow up. Had surgery Monday. As diagnosed it was adenocarcinoma. Dr removed a wedge of my lobe and said cleared margins. He also removed lymph nodes. Feeling lucky for the incidental find and choosing the surgical biopsy . Waiting on lymph node results. I have a Follow up may 9th. Thanks for the support. 

So true Tom.  But isn't that the case with all hardship?  Nobody escapes them.  Thanks for sharing.
Lou

https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/10/24/chris-mortensen-throat-cancer-recovery
Mort passed not long ago.Worth the read. NFL draft tonight reminded me when they payed tribute. Cancer cares not if you are rich and famous or poor and lost. A vicious disease.
Peace
Tom

Yesterday I had my five year scan with no evidence of recurrence! The nodule and atelectasis around the scar has disappeared.  It is a good day.
edited - when talking to one of my daughters I realized it was 4 years since diagnosis.  Ahh well, 4 years is good too!

Thank you all for your kind and encouraging posts, I appreciate them all. 
I’ll stay in the hospital as long is absolutely necessary but I’m very fortunate that my daughter is an Emergency Room RN and will be here when I come home. I know she’ll take good care of me and be very vigilant watching for any problems that could arise. And she’ll help keeping her dad calm as well 😊

TJM, you’re absolutely right! I’ll feel much better when whatever it is is gone. Knowing that it will be caught early is the only reason I’m not hitting the panic button for sure. I appreciate your encouragement, it does help!

Thank you Karen L, I appreciate it! I’m anxious to get it over with. I find my mind wondering to it what seems to be all the time. I listen to books on my daily walk and seem to miss most of what’s said LOL.

I may be wrong but I am going to go out on a limb and predict that you will feel much better cutting that vile thing out! I did!
Glad you caught it early. You got this

@Blossomsmom May 6th probably can't come soon enough. I'll be thinking of you as the date approaches.

I'm always envious when surgery is an option for someone. It offers such a measurable outcome.
For myself, starting into year 4 of this nonsense, I will will act aggressively and decisively the moment there is a change in the status of my scans. YMMV-- we all have different approaches and priorities. Best of luck. 

@Anthony, a friend of mine has an Exon 19 mutation, with lots of mets to the bones. He was diagnosed 16 years ago. 16  Don't quit before the miracle....

My surgery was done robotic VATS (Visually Assisted Thoracic Surgery) so it was more endoscopic.  In my case I was told I was under for about 6 hours.  I know of others who have been under less and more.  It will really depend on what they find and what is being excised, and anything else that they want to check out during the procedure.  The good news is I wasn't aware of any of it.  

After my surgery I was able to raise my arms, but my right-side (the side of my surgery) was sore for a while.  In the beginning I'd get up, walk around the house for 10 minutes and then sleep for an hour.  Over time the walks became longer and the sleep shorter.  That will depend on how you prepare yourself for the surgery.  I normally do 5 miles a day and then weights (not a body builder, just trying to keep everything working) but it took me a few weeks to get my first 10k steps (~1 mile).  My advice is; take care of yourself before the surgery (food, sleep, and moving), and after; use the spirometer, move as much as possible (don't overdo it), eat healthy and get good rest.  Over time you'll be surprised quickly you'll recover strength.  Right after surgery I spent time being breathless after any exertion but over time that improved so don't be frightened by it unless it is serious then speak with your doctor.

Feel free to ask any additional questions you've got friends here and you won't go through this alone.
Lou

Thank you Lou! My journey is starting out just like yours did and I hope to have the same good results you’ve had. I will definitely look at the blog and appreciate the recommendation. 
The one question neither my husband or I thought to ask is, how long does surgery take? I know it probably depends on what they do once they get into the lung but are we talking an hour, 3 hours or ?
Just read the blog. Thank you, it’s very helpful! One (other) question. Are you able to lift your arms over your head after surgery? The answer will dictate what I take to the hospital to wear home.

Thanks for the update on your scans.  I'm sorry to hear about the ongoing growth, but it's not unusual.  My nodule was discovered in Jan. '19 and was so small they waited three months to see what might happen.  Three months later it had grown but after an inconclusive PET Scan and failed CT-guided Biopsy they opted for surgery.  Prior to the operation I asked the surgeon what the chance was that it was not malignant and he told me "about 10%".  He went on to explain that while most nodules are benign the malignant ones are more apt to grow.  I had my surgery in May '19 and it resulted in a lower-right lobectomy.  Since that time I've been NED and leading a full life.  My prayers are that if it is malignant you'll have the same kind of outcome.
In the meantime you may want to take a look at a blog I wrote titles "Thoracic Surgery Tips & Tricks".  It will cover pre-surgery prep, the hospital stay, and post-surgery recovery.  In the meantime please ask any questions that you may have.
Lou

Well I just had a follow up CT scan to see if whatever it is in my right upper lung has grown since the one I had in December and the inconclusive biopsy  that was done at the same time. The results of the scan show that it is indeed growing and it is time to take it out to see just what exactly it is. Surgeon said this morning it’s possible that it is benign but that she feels it is most likely malignant. The good news is she also feels that we have caught it very early. So, I’m optimistic that regardless of what is going in, it’s going to have a good outcome. Surgery is scheduled for May 6th and will involve a stay in the hospital of 1 or 2 nights if all goes well. I’m not looking forward to having this done but will be glad to have it over with so we can move on to whatever is next. As I digest this and get closer to the surgery, I’m sure I’ll have questions for everyone here and any suggestions would be much appreciated!

Congratulations Rikke...what excellent news.
Lou

I feel a need to listen to some Veach boys for sone reason!
Congratulations and get better

@RJN Complete remission? OMG, woman, you need a ticker tape parade. I'm thrilled for you. Here's hoping your summer plans shape up to be glorious!

Yay again, Rikke!

Another “complete remission scan” - 9 months post surgery and 5 months after finishing immunotherapy. Summer can’t come soon enough😀

Tom,
I agree with Rikke.  Don't panic as all critical tests are coming out well.  On the other hand you should still seek answers as to why it's happening and how to reduce it.  Please keep us updated on this.
Lou