Mally

Steff,
I am a fourth time cancer survivor. I had 4 recurrences after reaching a state of no evidence of disease (NED). So here is the hope I offer, if I can live so can your mother. 
Lung cancer is persistent. At some level, recurrences should be expected. Take some time to get acquainted with this site. Most of us were not "one and done" survivors. But we are here. 
Let us know the type of lung cancer your mom has (for example non small cell Squamous cell lung cancer). Those with a similar type can chime in and tell you of their experience. 
Stay the course. 
Tom

Kaly,
A swollen supraclavicular lymph node would indeed cause difficulty swallowing. Hopefully the chemo will address this. 
Stay the course. 
Tom

Thank you for the Reply Tom. He is having only chemo no radiation, I did talk to the doctor regarding radiation he said it doesn't help not sure why. So he is getting only chemo so far. His cancer spreaded to supraclavicular lymph nodes he is thinking swallowing difficulty might be because of that.  It seems doc suggested him to eat mushy foods to swallow easily.
 
 
Thanks 
Kaly

Kaly,
The symptoms you report are side effect-like (fatigue, and heartburn) and not (pain and swallowing). With this potentential mixed bag, I'd report the symptoms to the doc and wait for the scan. 
Of course, during my chemo, I had a handful of phantom pains. Is he having radiation with the chemo?  This could explain the swallowing difficulty. 
Stay the course. 
Tom

Thankyou Lauren and brenda and im so thankful to be part of this community because its full of positive feedback and it gives you hope during the treatment and on an emotional point of view thats so important and only people going through this can truly understand the under spoken fear we live with each day so its great to have somewhere to go to get some hope and courage ..

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Brenda,
Good to hear about your surgery.  Sorry for the complications but it sounds like you are on the road to recovery.
Let us know how you are getting on.  Some of us worry!
Stay the course.
Tom

The process sounds gruelling, but your results are wonderful!

Happy for (eventually) good results.

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Jen,
When you call a medical oncologist for an appointment and they start to schedule you a couple of months out, feel free to share what your facing, number of tumors, etc. in order to expedite appointment. Good Oncologist can have long wait times but if you are polite and diligent it may help a little.

Vivian
 

 





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Hi Jeffery.my husband is VA vet also and we go to Gainesville VA. We have appointment the 29 .he has 1.5 cm right upper lung and medistinal2.2 cm node pretreacheal  doesn't sound good to me.have to wait until we talk to doctor. I also had lung cancer right lower lobe vats surgery threw the Gainesville VA due to my husband having 100% disability.my experience with the V A once u are treated I had excellent care.I've read in the medistineal andenophy is enlarged lymph nodes which can be many things ;to benighn ;and Hodgkin lymphoma; if so that can be from h/ orange.this site is very helpful and I wish u luck.

Hope you're recovering well Jeff and thank you for your service.
god bless

Mally, I am so happy for you!! Congratulations! We are glad that you're such an active member of the community and we are grateful to be able to celebrate with you!
Lauren
--
Digital Community Manager
LUNGevity Foundation

So happy for you!!

Congratulations! Great news! 

Brenda its good to hear that your ordeal is behind you now and the only way to go is up from here

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Hi to everyone! I had my surgery on May 31. Developed a significant air leak & also pneumonia (both lungs). In ICU for 5 days out into stepdown unit for 7 days. Thanking God for being with me. My pathology came back good. Cancer confined to right upper lobe-which was removed. Lymph nodes were negative. Now for working on regaining strength & building lungs up. Blessings to all!

Thanks for the update Jeffrey !
Keep up the breathing treatments or as Tom wrote you'll get congested which leaves to more coughing and more pain.
Continuing to pray for more progress and that you feel better and better every day.
 
Donna G

Jeffrey,
Recovery from thoracic surgery is a process.  In a non-medical characterization, it starts with chest tube or tubes removal.  So, you are on the way.  Expect coughing and expect pain but it should improve every day.  Breathing treatments help because they ease the congestion.  The doc needs to ensure your lungs don't get clogged, thus the breathing treatments.  Today, you'll likely meet the spirometer - a device that you'll blow into to to keep a ball elevated as long as possible.  Likely, you'll be coached to performing this exercise many times per day.  It will be uncomfortable but is necessary to hasten your recovery.
Glad the VA system is taking care of you.  It validates most of what I know about VA medicine.  That is, the problem is getting into the system.  Once in the system, the VA operates like every other hospital.
Stay the course.
Tom

They removed the lung tube last night And it felt wonderful for a while a breathing treatment came and I made a caugh and now I'm back-to ground 0 with pain Today I will just do what I can it's just too painful I was getting up I will try again .As far as the VA once we got going the care has been totally outstanding I could not ask for anything better the surgeon is outstanding the nurses are very friendly and understanding I am glad I am here if I have to be in the hospital 

Jeffrey,
So very happy to hear your surgery is over and you are apparently on your way to recovery.  Yes it is painful but I'm sure you'll be encouraged to be taking laps around the ward floor soon.
If you are still in the hospital, ask the nursing staff to bring in some extra pillows to attempt to find a more comfortable position for your chest tube.  If your recovery is normal, this should not remain in place long, so that is something to look forward to.
Great news about the resection of the tumor in the Trachea. I recall that was of concern.  Despite the success of the surgery, you'll likely have post surgical chemo 30 to 60 days after discharge to ensure all potential cancer cells in your blood stream are dealt with.
Keep us posted and since there are several forum members currently starting treatment with the VA, insight and information about your VA hospital experience would be helpful.
Stay the course.
Tom

It's over he only had to remove the top 1/3 of my lung and he was able to get the tumor out of my Trachea  you so it's a little narrow now.chest tube Hurts terrible 

Jeffrey,
Nothin' better in the world than an Oh-Dark-Hundred wake up!  I know you've done a few of these in the past. This one will be for a slightly different reason but you'll be fine.
I had a pneumonectomy and two additional surgeries to repair a tear in sutures.  If I survived, so can you.
Stay the course.
Tom

Glad to see your like so that we know you're okay Jeffrey. Hope your healing is speedy.
Judy M

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It's 4:15 where I am. I'm awake and I'm praying Jeffrey. You're not alone.
Judy M

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Great news, Jeffrey! You will probably feel better once the chest tube is out. I know I did. Best wishes for a fast recovery.