BridgetO

Woo hoo! So glad to hear this!

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

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 

Happy holidays to everyone. Hope the quiet is because people are either putting aside their worries for a bit, or celebrating a good spell (like me)!

It sometimes gets very quiet and other times not so much.  But I'm so glad the outlet is here for anybody needing to connect with others going through this journey.  I'm also thankful for the folks, like yourselves, that welcome and support those who do need to come here.  I hope the Christmas and Hanukkah holidays are filled with good things for you.
Lou 

Kamoto
Not sure about the sore on your scalp but wow the ct scan results. NED is  wonderful news
Chuck

Kamoto,
NED on your chest and abdomen-- WOW! What a wonderful result.
I don't have experience with a sore that doesn't heal. It reminds me of old TV commercials about when to check with your doctor, which you're doing. May I, with a little gentle humor, remind you of your last foray into self-diagnosis? Not a fun time. 
I'm selfishly glad you told us about this-- I've had a weird thing on my arm that I really should get checked out. Ugh. Maybe I need to make an appointment with the dude who did the MOHS surgery on my nose (for some skin cancer.) So, thanks. I hate calling more doctors, really hate. But ya gotta do what you gotta do. So, thanks. And I'll be thinking of you. Please keep us posted. 
K

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

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.

Hi, Sue.
What happens if it comes back so soon after treatment? You take the next step. And tell us about it!
Karen
 
 

Those dark moments of the night once made me invest in a night light. (No kidding.) 
Glad you're going to have a conversation with your PCP. Just know that s/he probably doesn't have the specialized knowledge you need at this point. 
Lung cancer is exploding in terms of new research and treatments; you really want a lung cancer specialist to see all the tests you've had and talk about the next step(s). Perhaps your PCP could connect you to one? 
Here's hoping you have a wonderful visit with your daughter this Thanksgiving.

When this journey started for me, the nodule they found in my RLL was incidental to a scan I had to see if my diagnosed prostate cancer had spread (it hadn't). I guess I was lucky (if one can call it lucky) that my NSCLC was discovered at such an early stage.  So, had the prostate removed at the end of January and my RLL at the beginning of April. Then, back into surgery at the end of June to fix a chyle leak. It's been an interesting year.
Anyway, the results of my latest scan is the effusion is greatly reduced and NED otherwise!
 

After all the fun I've had with the aftermath of my RLL (https://forums.lungevity.org/topic/52143-probable-chylothorax/), I'm actually kinda anxious about the results of my upcoming CT
Fingers crossed....

I agree with Rikke, each of us must be our own advocates and protect our interests.  That being said; I wonder how many other people he has provided such poor treatment to.  I pray not many.  Please let us know what happens with the new treatment.
Lou

Hi Sally,
Good for you standing your ground. For my own case, I feel like I am getting special treatment for being young(ish) - I was diagnosed at 49. But on the reverse, it seems to me that older patients do get less attention. I am battling with this for my mum - not cancer-related, but she pretty much get sent home from doctors with “don’t forget to stay hydrated” for every ailment, no matter how severe. It is really positive that you have a radiation oncologist that you rate, as he can help you get a grounding with a new team.
Go for it, Rikke

Well, I'm pretty appalled at your mom's treatment-- or non-treatment, as it were. It brings back my experience with my mom and dad, during the last 6 weeks of his life. They lived in a small New England town at the time and I found the medical care he received there lacking to the point of being unbelievable. 
It was not long between the time I persuaded my mom that he needed care from a major medical center to his death. Yes, the care was in place, but the cancer had progressed so quickly, all they could do was help manage his pain. That last night, every time I saw him grimace, I told the nurses I thought he was in pain. I wonder if they may have given him enough morphine to persuade his body to finally let go. 
I was glad he was finally done with all that he had been through. The surgeon called my mom after the autopsy and said they were still arguing about whether he died of renal or adrenal cancer. We didn't really care. 
You have been through a horrible ordeal. I hope you are able to find respite for your spirit and take comfort in your mom's well-lived life. 
Karen

I hope you and your friend NED have a great vacation!

Bridget
Thank you looking forward to relaxing ,umbrella drinks and authentic tacos

I hope you and your friend NED have a great vacation!

I hope you and your friend NED have a great vacation!

Devastated daughter, I'm sorry for the loss of your mom. It sounds like she lived her life as she chose. And you supported her as her caregiver, even though you disagreed with some of her choices. Good for you both. I wish you peace and comfort.

Scanxiety is normal, Ken, even though it's not pleasant. My fingers are crossed, along with those of the rest of the gang.

Radiotherapy is a good bet indeed - my lung tumours and lymph nodes are all dead now, so crossing my fingers for you.
I am doing pretty great - no issues with my steroids and other ailments and slowly getting back into normal shape and life.
keep us in the loop please!

Kamoto,
I have many "psychosomatic remembrances of the toughest time" in my life, but when these rise to the level of actual symptoms, I get out of my head and into a doctor's office. You can do this!
Stay the course.
Tom