Michele

Sandra,
Be concerned.  A lung nodule can be a serious thing, or it may be nothing. Here is my go-to-easy-to-read resource on pulmonary lung nodules.
No one should have to endure two cancer diagnosis but lung cancer is quite different from breast cancer in a number of important ways.  While your start down the diagnostic trail, you might want to review this information to acquaint yourself with lung cancer nomenclature.  Hopefully, the nodule will turn out to be of the harmless variety, but I believe knowledge is power and understanding mitigates fear.
I truly hope the nodule turns into something not lung cancer.  But if you've got questions about diagnostic testing and procedures, this is the place to ask.  Welcome here!
Stay the course.
Tom 

One day at a time one step at a time. Life is too short to have regrets. Love & compassion till the end.
Hugs & prayers,
Peg

Hi, Allyn.  I am a stage IV survivor for almost 18 months; just finished beating a recurrence.  We understand how you and your wife feel right now.  Everything about this stinks, but this forum has a wealth of information and long-term survivors.  How can we help you? We're here for both of you.   

CJ,
I'd be in shock also.  But, your doctor has a plan and it seems reasonable.  I wish I had a magic wand to eliminate all the cancer mayhem that seems to have befallen you.
Stay the course.
Tom

Does that mean you have to tip?

Isn't the shirt great?  Got lots of smiles from my fellow baldies at the oncology center.

Hi Sherry Z: my husband has limited stage also. Going threw chemo we found the most important thing is drink lots and lots of water .it is very easy to get dehydrated. Also get magnesium vitamins . eat well even if your not hungry.rest when u are tired. Good luck on your journey and keep us posted.   Michele

Peg a big hugs and prayers for you and Lee! Today.hopefully there will be no more pain after this surgery.I was able to imagine his face with no pain after reading your note and it was beautiful! Let me know how he is later OK?!  Doctors hmmm u know they never even called or returned calls on his results. I went myself to pick up his results on MRI .and what I could read he is clean!!! Monday was pets scan  and I hope they call on that.yes have Lee write a note that he said not to call family.that's what my husband did.; then they can't give u a harder time blame game. Well Peg its 2 minutes to 8 am prayers your way oxox.   Michele

Michele,
Today was rough. They did find a fissure and with chemo it will take a LONG time to heal. I finally got him home and settled in for the night hopefully. Right now he needs sleep and rest. They gave him enough meds to choke a horse. i HAVE A LOT OF READING TO DO TOMORROW!
Well the settled in did not work, He is back down in his chair and in pain. Will keep you posted.
Peg

Daughter,
I am so very sorry to hear of your dad's recurrence.  That is what it is called when cancer returns -- a recurrence.  And unfortunately, recurrence with lung cancer is common.  I have non small cell squamous cell lung cancer and experienced four recurrences after treatment that showed me to exhibit no evidence of disease or NED.  Because lung cancer and in fact all cancer for that matter recurs so frequently, the treatment community has moved away from the word cure.  Remission is still used but the definition has narrowed to cancer that stops growing either as a result of treatment or not.  Here is a good summary of lung cancer that will acquaint you with basic terms.
What is the recurrence timeframe?  Mine were 6 to 8 months after last treatment.  It is not unusual that the duration is shorter or longer.  Everyone's cancer is somewhat different.  How effective will his second line treatment be?  The Lord only knows.  Cancer is a disease of one's genes.  Everyone's genetic structure is different thus on reason for the variability in treatment outcomes.  But, chemotherapy kept me alive for 2 years till a new treatment emerged from research to cause me to achieve NED.  In fact, I've lived nearly 14 years after diagnosis and many in fact on this site are long term survivors of lung cancer.  Those with small cell lung cancer are following emerging research in targeted therapy and immunotherapy.  These new methods are promising advances for small cell treatment.  Read about these here at the Clinical Research Study down arrow.
You may point your dad to this site as a place where he can understand and ask questions about his treatment and interact with survivors. Questions?  This would be the place for those.
Stay the course.
Tom

Peg a big hugs and prayers for you and Lee! Today.hopefully there will be no more pain after this surgery.I was able to imagine his face with no pain after reading your note and it was beautiful! Let me know how he is later OK?!  Doctors hmmm u know they never even called or returned calls on his results. I went myself to pick up his results on MRI .and what I could read he is clean!!! Monday was pets scan  and I hope they call on that.yes have Lee write a note that he said not to call family.that's what my husband did.; then they can't give u a harder time blame game. Well Peg its 2 minutes to 8 am prayers your way oxox.   Michele

Peg that is horrible especially because Lee is in such pain.its so easy for insurance co to take your money but when something like this its a crime.yes I would take him to er. So sorry you are going thru this. Sincerely Michele

Thank you Jeffrey yes we have put in a claim thru american legion for lung cancer. We went to the american legion. My husband is already 100% but not 10 years in there records which they paid back pay since 2002 so I don't know how they can say not ten years. In order to collect dic  god forbid if something happens it has to be 10 year 100% or from military related. And lung cancer is in the list.he is on the registry for agent orange already. Understand? If no dic  I won't be able to pay bills etc. But he deserve it wounded 3 times fought for us so we can be free.thank you for listening. I pray I don't even have to go that route

Michele, My brother died from cancer caused by Agent Orange. PLEASE fight this all the way. DO NOT GIVE UP! They do not like to admit that it is actually killing people.
Hugs & Prayers,
Peg

Tom ; were you in Vietnam? The reason why I'm asking is because lung cancer is on the list of agent orangewe filed a claim with veterans adminstration on my husband. He has diabetes from agent orange. I know they are going to say his is from smoking even though it is on the list. I was just wondering if u were in Vietnam thank you..

Sherry,
Welcome here. Breaking down, emotionally numb and lots of information to digest, we understand completely and absolutely.  Lung cancer almost always presents as a surprise with nasty looming consequences.
It sounds like you have a competent and responsive treatment team from your description and sequence of tests so I'll not dwell on those details.  Let's try and refocus.  I am indeed fortunate to have survived thirteen and a half years after diagnosis with NSCLC and my treatments (many failures) including: three thoracic surgeries, four tracheal stent procedures, eighteen infusions of taxol and carboplatin and conventional and stereotactic body radiation therapy. I averaged 18 weeks of treatment and 24 weeks of no treatment for almost four years. During the 24 week periods of no evidence of disease (NED) or questionable evidence of disease, I fretted, fussed, and fumed.  That was a vast mistake.  I should have been living.  
Your course of treatment will have two objectives: eliminate your cancer and extend your life.  At this juncture, both outcomes are possible, no more than possible, probable.  Highly probable, given the reading I'm doing on advances in immunotherapy and radiation therapy for small cell lung cancer.  So, don't do what I did. Enjoy your life extension. 
There is so much about lung cancer that you cannot influence or control, but you can decide to not let lung cancer ruin your life. That is well within your power and capability.  Here, read this, then re-watch the movie. Then, buy some truck tire inner tubes, inflate, and float the Redstone Creek.  I had a blast floating that creek as a college student during a fraternity house swap week in the late 60s.  With all the emphasis on cleaning up waterways, it must indeed be a very pleasurable activity these days.  I know West Virginia, a couple of driving hours south of you, has wonderful rivers to float.
Questions?  Of course, this is the place to ask and more than likely, we'll have answers.  But your life is your thing, so go make that happen during treatment and after.
Stay the course.
Tom 

Peg I have no info yet on MRI I called 3 × today. That's the VA for ya. We start round 2 the 16th  17 18th with radiation I think. He gets pets can this Monday. I wish u the best on the following week and if I don't hear from you I will understand.  I will be thinking of you both and praying .

Peg won't know about MRI for a couple days.oh I hope Lee gets fixed that is so painful then have to go through another round of chemo. I pray that it is doing its job and shrinks everything. Yes all these appointment wear your then when u don't have one your ( I) to tired to do anything else.  Good luck at primary hope he does something before chemo. Thinking of you....

Peg won't know about MRI for a couple days.oh I hope Lee gets fixed that is so painful then have to go through another round of chemo. I pray that it is doing its job and shrinks everything. Yes all these appointment wear your then when u don't have one your ( I) to tired to do anything else.  Good luck at primary hope he does something before chemo. Thinking of you....

Hang in there, you two--your husbands are lucky to have you.  Make sure you keep taking good care of yourselves!
Teri

Michele. I pray for a clean MRI. Stay on them to get the results. Thinking of you.
Peg 

Thank you Tom! I guess I should go and get some magnesium tabs.can't hurt. 

Michele,
I also understand small cell is staged at limited and advanced. The correlation with NSCLC is limited is roughly IIIA or lower. 
Dehydration is unfortunately a chemo side effect I know a lot about. Watch for muscle cramping because of low magnesium. This can come in waves. I still take 1,000 mg a day of magnesium to tamp down cramping. 
Hope for a clean MRI. 
Stay the course. 
Tom

Michele,
STRONG ....... OH heck no. I have a support system in FL of all places. And they are my family They are the pushing winds behind me. Our kids are here and they help somewhat. I try to keep them away from Lees family because they would go ballistic with them. Had my son tell me the other day my inner witch needed to quit hiding. Of course he used other words. He was right. She is no longer hiding and I fell SOOOOOO much better. you have nothing to fear but fear itself. The problem with any cancer is the UNKNOWNS. You have no control it does. People will tell you a lot of stuff and most of them in his family need a reality check.
Your husband made it to 6:30. I am impressed. Lee gets up around 6 am and is back in bed by 5:30 or 6 pm.
Take care of you first otherwise you wont be there for him. You matter too!
HUGS!
 
Peg

Pegi & Michele,
I was tattooed on just the front of my chest.  Was told it was used to align the machine to my tumor.  Perhaps Rog needs to reposition during radiation and the second tattoo is for repositioning.  That is just a guess.  I really don't know.
Michele - don't feel bad about rambling.  We understand.  
I really don't know how my wife got through all my treatment mayhem but both of you ladies are doing the Lord's work and I'm sure your husbands appreciate it.  My wife and I now laugh at my antics but during treatment I was barely hanging on (like a cat hanging on a limb with one claw), but Martha ensured I stayed the course.
So, stay the course.
Tom