LexieCat

Oh, and I meant to say, too, that you should message your doc about any aspects of the report that worry you—my bet is they can explain their significance.

Trust me, I found out the hard way.

Oh, and I meant to say, too, that you should message your doc about any aspects of the report that worry you—my bet is they can explain their significance.

Judy’s right—pay more attention to what the oncologist says than the radiology report. You can also always get a second opinion on treatment options. Hope your insurance comes through fast.
And thanks for the well-wishes for me. One of the research nurses put me in touch with another woman who is starting this same trial next week. We agreed to exchange numbers and finally connected today. We may be like two ships passing in the night—her arrival will pretty much coincide with my departure next week. But still, good to have a buddy to compare notes with. She was very interested in this group too, so I sent her a link to the forums.

Ale, I always try to schedule my scans for the day before my visit (at a Penn Medicine location, when I was being treated there). Mainly because it’s impossible to glean from the radiology report exactly what is going on with your cancer. Radiologists can point out what they observe, but they aren’t cancer experts. Your oncologist will have to “translate” them for you and discuss treatment options.
I know if the report is there on the portal it’s hard not to look. But you can ask your doc either to hold them until they’ve been discussed with you or try to time your scans, as I did, to eliminate a long wait. 
Try to cool your jets till you’ve seen the oncologist. And remember, there may be some clinical trials for which you’d be eligible. I’m smack dab in the middle of one right now (posting from hospital bed). So far the chemo to deplete my immune system has been a breeze—just a bit of swelling from all the fluids. Next week may be rougher because as soon as they infuse the new cells I’ll get several infusions of IL-2, which apparently makes a lot of the patients pretty darned sick. I will be in ICU for that part of it, just to be safe. If this doesn’t work for me, there are other treatments I can try, including other trials. So don’t give up hope.

Judy’s right—pay more attention to what the oncologist says than the radiology report. You can also always get a second opinion on treatment options. Hope your insurance comes through fast.
And thanks for the well-wishes for me. One of the research nurses put me in touch with another woman who is starting this same trial next week. We agreed to exchange numbers and finally connected today. We may be like two ships passing in the night—her arrival will pretty much coincide with my departure next week. But still, good to have a buddy to compare notes with. She was very interested in this group too, so I sent her a link to the forums.

Ale, I rely on the Impressions section of scan reports, but you've already gotten your oncologist's analysis, so s/he knows best. Let's hope your insurance approval comes through quickly so you can start your targeted therapy. 

I’m actually going to be getting the targeted therapy if it’s approved by insurance which seems to be more of a trial since it isn’t used in treating lung cancer. I saw my oncologist about the scans already and they weren’t good but he only told me what he was able to read and it wasn’t good so when I saw the report I can tell everything else wasn’t good either.
Im glad to see your hanging in there with your trial and I really hope it does good for you. Hang in there! 

Ale, I always try to schedule my scans for the day before my visit (at a Penn Medicine location, when I was being treated there). Mainly because it’s impossible to glean from the radiology report exactly what is going on with your cancer. Radiologists can point out what they observe, but they aren’t cancer experts. Your oncologist will have to “translate” them for you and discuss treatment options.
I know if the report is there on the portal it’s hard not to look. But you can ask your doc either to hold them until they’ve been discussed with you or try to time your scans, as I did, to eliminate a long wait. 
Try to cool your jets till you’ve seen the oncologist. And remember, there may be some clinical trials for which you’d be eligible. I’m smack dab in the middle of one right now (posting from hospital bed). So far the chemo to deplete my immune system has been a breeze—just a bit of swelling from all the fluids. Next week may be rougher because as soon as they infuse the new cells I’ll get several infusions of IL-2, which apparently makes a lot of the patients pretty darned sick. I will be in ICU for that part of it, just to be safe. If this doesn’t work for me, there are other treatments I can try, including other trials. So don’t give up hope.

AstraZeneca offers financial assistance to patients who need it: https://www.tagrisso.com/after-surgery/support/financial.html
 

Sending a hug--you're due for some good news. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Glad you're taking care of yourself. We all need some extra support now and then. 
FWIW, I think you've been handling everything with a lot of courage and grace.

Sending a hug--you're due for some good news. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Glad you're taking care of yourself. We all need some extra support now and then. 
FWIW, I think you've been handling everything with a lot of courage and grace.

Glad you're taking care of yourself. We all need some extra support now and then. 
FWIW, I think you've been handling everything with a lot of courage and grace.

Thank you all for the support. I’ve been in a very dark place these last days. I’ve reached out to a therapist for me to see about all the issues in my life. The cancer and all the stress that comes with it and this breakup that has hit me really hard. I’ll check in when I can, hope everyone is doing good. 

Breakups suck.  I know this is not comforting right away however better now than later.  You want every one in your circle to give 100% when you need support.   We love you and will be here for you, no matter what.  

I'm so sorry, Ale--breakups suck. Even when I've been the one doing the breaking up, they suck. This is the time to lean on your family and other friends, including us. 
Hang in there--you'll get past this. 
Sending a hug.

Hey, great news! Glad to hear you got the collar off--I'll bet you felt a little like a puppy wearing one of those cones after surgery!
Hope the infusion went well and you get through the week after without too much difficulty. 
You're doing great!

Thank you so much for responding so fast. I look forward to having people to talk to on this forum to help me with advice . Thank you so much 

Hi, Sarah, and welcome. I'd suggest starting a new thread in the newcomers' forum--this thread is from 2007.
In any event, I found my lobectomy via VATS one of the simplest surgeries I've ever had. Three tiny incisions and that's it. There is some pain, but I think I needed the heavy-duty pain meds for only a couple of days and then ibuprofen was plenty. She will cough a lot, which is encouraged because it helps clear the lungs. 
A recliner would be comfy to sleep in (unless, like me, you have cats that will climb all over you if you try). What I used (and lots of other people used, too) was a wedge pillow. It does help you sleep if your upper body can be a bit elevated.
She should come through this with no problem. I was out with friends for dinner and a concert about a week after getting out of the hospital. One of our members, Lou, created a list of tips and tricks for recovery from lung surgery: https://forums.lungevity.org/topic/47249-thoracic-surgery-tips-and-tricks/
 

Everyone's different in terms of side effects--which ones, when, how long they last. It's certainly worth trying to see if relieving the mucous helps. I remember when I was pregnant, the only time I vomited from morning sickness was when I gagged while brushing my teeth, so you might be onto something there. Palliative care might be able to help, too. Be sure to run any OTC meds by your medical team before you take them, just to be on the safe side. Hope you get some relief soon.

Hey, kiddo,
I was just thinking about you and wondering how you were doing! The side effects from the vaccine should last only a day or so. My aches and chills were just the day after, and the following day it was all gone except for a sore arm (that lasted a couple more). Do you have any anti-nausea meds? (Compazine, Zofran?) Might be worth asking for some--you need to keep your food down. 
I got through the surgery for my trial (piece of cake--I went home the same day with one tiny incision at the base of my neck). They had to get the tissue samples from the lymph nodes--too tricky to get it from the lung tumor. In a couple more weeks (June 2), I go into the hospital for the 2-week process of depleting my immune system and then re-infusing the lymphocytes that will hopefully kick my cancer's butt.
Good to hear from you--keep hangin' in there!

Hey all,
I've been feeling much better thankfully. All side effects from the vaccine have subsided. Mucus is still a pain in the rear but I can manage, plus I spoke to my doctor about managing it and she gave me options. Today is my second infusion so wish me luck! I have scans soon to check on the status of everything so hopefully they’ll be good. 

Hey, Diane, good to hear from you, and glad to hear you are doing OK. You'll never stop missing him, but I was eventually able to get to a point after losing my mom where the happy memories overcame much of the pain.
Your continued input here is invaluable--when there are relatively few long-term survivors, those who have lost loved ones can help keep their voices alive to help others.