Tom Galli

I am having a ct scan then lung biopsy on Monday morning. Have come up with a million reasons to put it off but I know it’s the right thing to do so I’ll be at the hospital at 8:15 am Monday morning. I’m nervous about the procedure but I’ll get through it with flying colors I’m sure. Should have the results by the end of next week. Having our family Christmas party at our house on Sunday so the preparations and party will keep my mind occupied which is a good thing.

Good for you for taking care of yourself. Here's hoping things go smoothly for the biopsy and that the waiting is endurable. 

Karen,
All digits crossed that your scan results are good.  You're smart to focus on the trip rather than the scans (hard as that is).  Please keep us updated once you have the results.
Lou

It has been quiet here. I check in daily, and hope the quiet spell is because everyone is busy living life.
I have scans Friday and am more nervous than has been typical. On the other hand, we just made plans for a June trip of bicycling the Danube from Prague to Budapest, so I am choosing to think about that (when I can haha.) Otherwise, we've gone all out on holiday decorating and I'm baking up a storm. It's peaceful for now and for that I am grateful. 
K 

Hi Tom. I do remember you. I hope all is well for you. Yes, I was my mom’s advocate, atleast as much as she would allow. She was a fiercely independent lady which was a curse and a blessing. LOL. As I’m starting this diagnostic journey I realize how little I actually knew about how she felt when she was at this stage. I’m meeting with a Thoracic surgeon tomorrow to see what she thinks. I’m pretty sure she’ll want to see my next CT scan (in January) before going forward. But I’m anxious to hear what she says the next steps may be if the CT scan shows any changes. I’m sure I’ll be back here with a million questions. I feel like everyone here is my best resource and I appreciate that more than I can say.

Kamoto,
NED is neet! Don't know diddley about the sore on your head, but I do know NED is worthy of much celebration. So...
Stay the course.
Tom

Thank you Chuck. I do feel blessed to be on the earth!

I am starting SBRT radiation to my oligometastatic spread to liver and spleen. One lesion  on each. I am hopeful it will slow things down
 
 

Look at you standing up for yourself and getting things done. SBRT treatment works well i  here .
Chuck

I am working more closely with my radiation oncologist who is wonderful. The doctor at U of Michigan will consult as needed. I actually did talk with the medical oncologist about my “feelings”. .  Difficult but by gosh he got it. He would recommend exactly what the Michigan guys thought. Going ahead with radiation to spleen and liver Mets. The only two I have. Will keep updating. Thanks for the support. 

Hi TJM,
If your question is having a lump post-surgery then I did not experience that after my RLL.  But if it is something that has newly formed then of course my advice would be to get to the doctor and determine what it is.  If perchance it is a recurrence then "yes" I've heard about it, but at this point that seems to be jumping way ahead of the game.  Please get checked out and let us know what they determine.  My prayer is for good news and that you NED continues.
Lou

Hey Blossom. You probably do not remember me but I remember you.
So sorry you have to go thru this. Your posts bring back so many memories of how I felt at the beginning.
Hope for the best. If I remember correctly you advocated for your mother. Remember that in the end you are your own best advocate. Having done caretaking for my brother and then going thru it myself, I can attest that the patient side is a totally different experience.
Good luck. I shall be watching and thinking of you.
Tom

Hi everyone. Hopefully some remember me. Sorry I dropped off the forum. Many excuses. None good enough.
Quick update. I have been NED for almost 4 years now. Have had some complications but overall ok. As a reminder. Stage 3A Large cell. Had the RLL removed, Chemo and radiation. Also had a PE in left lung long after treatment.
Just noticed a good size lump jus below my Sternum. Middle. Have done some research and I think it may be related to the LC. Curious if any of y'all have ever experienced or heard of something like this?
Missed you guys. I hope all are doing well.
Tom

Keep your hand off that button.  And if/when you are ready for surgery then we have some good information to share with you, but for now enjoy.  Early stage is very important to a good prognosis.
Lou

Whew. So glad you have a respite. And, I'm really glad that your doc is so on top of getting a lot of eyes on the situation. I always feel better knowing my case usually heads to the cancer center's tumor board before any new phase of treatment.  
Hang in,
K

Keep moving forward I'm rooting for you
Chuck

Wonderful news! Hope your heart is lighter and the days full of light.
K

Saw my PCP yesterday to discuss the results of my Pet Scan. She said she had just gotten off the phone with the radiologist who confirmed what she thought, the results are “inconclusive”. Two areas had low SUV’s, lung nodule 1.7 and hilar lymph nodes 3.3 and 3.6 respectively. Could be an adenocarcinoma or inflammation. Recommendation is to do another CT scan in January to see if there are any changes. She feels that if this is adenocarcinoma that it is in the very early stage which is a huge relief. She is referring me to a thoracic surgeon and a pulmonologist. As she said, the more eyes on this the better. So today I’ll call and make those appointments and we’ll go from there. I’m under no illusion that this is anything but an adenocarcinoma but for the time being my hand is off the panic button.

Phyllis,
Welcome here!
I was born and raised in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and in my day, the Northeast was indeed very rural. I don't think much has changed given the condition of treatment availability you mention in your post.
In fact, I've been to Plymouth, PA. It was once a hopping place during the hard coal or anthracite coal mining days. 
Ending the lung cancer stigma and opening the availability of screening are very worthy causes to advocate for.
Thanks for joining us and helping spread the word.
Stay the course.
Tom

jtrausch
Thanks for the update and glad to hear that you are doing better.  Even without the spot they would do the scan after three months.  You'll likely be getting scans on a 3 or 6 month schedule for the first two years, then annually after that.  You can discuss the schedule with your oncologist or lead doctor.  In the meantime enjoy your results and know that we celebrate with you.
Lou

I am doing much better and the intense pain has subsided.  My tumor was 3 centimeters, stage 1 mucinous adenocarcinoma in left lung.  No lymph node involvement. My onocolgist said no chemo or radiation so I feel very fortunate. I will have ct scan in 3 months because chest xray at surgery appointment follow up showed spot on right lung. Thanks for all the information it sure helps guide me in this journey. Julie

Dang that durvalumab (Imfinzi). My ground glass (courtesy of the durva and radiation) has slowly disappeared. With the watching they do, it hasn't been a worry for anyone, me included.
Enjoy your precious family time!

Sue
Enjoy the time with your family i am looking forward to that myself. Have a great Thanksgiving 
Chuck

Well, this week is finally over. Five medical appointments. Bread and popcorn ball orders. Thanksgiving buns and mashed potatoes…. Market on Saturday. Whew. I am leaving for my daughter’s house on Sunday with my granddaughter. I can’t wait to spend some days with their new baby. As far as my scan. “No new or worrisome pulmonary nodules/masses.” is the long story short. There is some cloudiness and ground glass in the right lung. The doc is thinking its scar tissue or side effects of Imfenzi. We are monitoring my oxygen levels and of course I have some eczema on my hands. So I’m trying to keep them lotioned up. It’s not easy when you are baking all day. But thank you all for being here. HAPPY THANKSGIVING, I got more living to do.

Thank you Karen. I know my PCP will just be the starting point. Im very comfortable with her and I know she will help me gently ease my husband into the idea that I may have cancer. I will make the call to the oncologist when we get home from our appointment with her as I agree that I need a cancer specialist to review my CT scan and Pet Scan and tell me what’s next.
Thank you again for your response and I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.