wfshaw

Hi Jang I am going for mine, Lower right Lobectomy, on Wednesday the 20th also at Fox Chase in Philadelphia after being diagnosed back in early March. A couple of problems came up therefore the delay. Where are you having yours done?? Waht part of Maryland do you live. My brother lived in Odenton for many years. I'LL SAY A PRAYER FOR THE BOTH OF US. Mine sounds very similar to yours although they may recommed some chemo as an preventative measure. Believe me I know what your going through. The agony stress being scared. I think it happens to all of us. Bill In PA

Gail, What's a MEDIPORT ???????

Hi Redhead, Bronoscopy is a piece of cake. I went to work the next morning no problem.

Just want to take a minute to let all you wonderful people who have been praying and suppoting me for the last 3 week how things are going. Dr called me today and finally got a diagnosis that I have non small cell lc and it is very small and can be surgically removed without chemo or radiation. If all goes well I should be cancer free within a month. Needless to say I am overwhelmed with joy and a great burden has been lifted. I can now relax somewhat and not be tormented by not knowing my future. Surgery is no picnic but at least now I feel like I have a future. Just want to let you all know that I was about to give up on life until I found this sight, family, and friends to give me the support and get me through this very trying time. I can't thank you all enough for your kind words and support and please, anyone else with this dreadful disease "Don't ever give up" and believe in the Power OF Prayer....It works. God love and bless you all. I will keep you updated. I will be going to Fox Chase in Philadelphia within the next three weeks for surgery. My Dr is in the process of making all the arrangements. Bill in PA

Hi Doug, Sorry you have to be here but I never thought I would be either. I have been waiting since March 1st for my fate. I've had all the tests and the biopsy on Friday. I should know today or tomorrow. I can tell you in my case I have had terrible anxiety, depression, sadness waiting for the results. I try to keep active to take my mind off of it. I have recieved e-mails and so much support and prayers from people it's unbelievable. I do have some good days but the wait is awful. Hang in there and keep coming back to this site and keep us all posted.. It is a wonderful site for not only support, but prayers and many, many people who have beaten this. God bless you and you will be in my prayers also. The power of prayer, even if you are not a religious person, can be overwhelmining.

Had my needle biopsy Friday and should have the results by Wednesday of next week. Went very well. Dr said he got enough tissue and no lung collapse or anything else for that matter. Was home from the Hosp by 1:00 pm. However I have a question: I had a prior bronoscopy and he said he didn't get enough tissue due to a 'bleed' as he called it. Are any of you aware if this can cause the cancer to spread? I have heard of seeding but really do not know what it means. I also posted this question to Ask the experts but probably won't hear from them until next week. Thank you all again for your support

Good Morning, Can anyone tell me the risks of the needle biopsy?? I had the bronch and it came back inconclusive so now they are going to scheduke me for the needle biopsy. I have read somewhere there is more risk involved in this procedure??? thank you,

Just got call from Pulmonoligist that did Bronch and Biopsy. Inconclusive due to bleeding......DAMN IT...MORE WAITING. He will try to schedule the needle biopsy asap ...hopefully early next week. Did say inflammatory tissue, brushings of lungs was all negative...good sign. Whatever that means.!!?? Set me up with a surgeon at Fox Chase in Philadelphia if needed. Still need MRI, BONE SCAN, Pul Func Teast amdn now another Bioipsy. Can't handle the waiting. Thanks again to all you wonderful caring people out there. Really helps the anguish.

Went for a bronscopy yesterday and one thing the Dr had to say was that he hoped he got enough tissue. Had to stop because of bleeding. I read a post somewhere that someone else had a bronco and it was inconclusive and they had to do the needle test. Can anyone explain to me what that involves/ I assume if he didn't get enough I will need to have this other test?? Thank you all, Bill in PA

Hi All, Went for my Bronchoscopy today. Spent most of the day at the hospital. Test wasn't bad at all but the Dr says it will take four-five days for the results. He told me after the test, of course, I have smokers lungs, but so far only the small 2cm nodule is showing cancerous. No enlarged lymph nodes . He took a small piece out. Said he hopes he got enough. He had to stop prematurely do to some bleeding. He did check the other lung and areas and said they looked ok except for the smokers lungs but no other signs of LC right now. So the waiting game begins. Hopefully I will know more by Friday. Have MRI (brain scan) and bone scan scheduled for Friday also and then the Pulmonary function tests on Monday. Told the Dr I would like to go to Fox Chase in Philadelphia if I am a candidate for surgery and he said not a problem. He has connections there and will set everything up for me. Still quite nervous and scared about the rest of the tests. WIll keep you posted. Thanks again to all of you wonderful people for your kindness and support. GOD bless all of you and my hopes and prayers are with you all for a successful recovery. Bill in PA

Hi Pat, Sosorry to see you are here and your crisis. I am also new to this post. I am a 58 year old male who was also just diagnosed with lung cancer a week ago and believe me you are not alone. I have found so much support on this site. It is the best. I go for my biopsy tomorrow to find out what stage it is in. My wife and I are scared to death. The waiting is driving us both nuts. Don't know what part of the country you are from but I am in Pennsylvania and have decided to go to a dedicated cancer in Philadelphia. I am just not comfortabel with my local small town dr's. I belive a place where that is all they do is cancer is the best bet. They are one of the best in the country. Plesase let everyone know what you know right now and you will receive so much feedback and support it's incredible. Mine is relatively small and I'm hoping I will be a candidate for surgery. Won't know for a week or so. So many people here have told me "It's not a death sentence" The technology today is incredible and there a very good chances for a cure. God bless you and hang in there. You have my prayers and support. Please keep everyone posted. By talking about it and getting feedback and support really helps during such a depressing time in your life. When my wife and I found out we both said this is the worst time of our lives but we are now somewhat positive and hoping for the best. As I said the waiting is the worst part. Good luck and God be with you. Bill in Pennsylvania

Question: I live in a small town area and not many Dr's perform cancer surgery. I am seriously looking at the Fox Chase Cancer center in Phila and the Sloan Kittering cancer clinic in NY if I indeed am a candidate for surgery. I am only about 120 miles from each. I have had many people say go to the big city, they have the best Dr's and latest technology for treatment. I have heard Fox Chase is one of the best in the country. What do you all think about this topic?? The pulmologist has already recommended a Thoracic surgeon here in my area but when I've asked around no one has ever heard of him and has no opinions on him!! Of course I have Blood work, EKG, and Chest XRAY scheduled for 3/3, a Bronchoscopy/biopsy scheduled for 3/7, the Pulmonary function test and bone scan on 3/14 and an MRI on 3/18 before I will even know if I am a candidate for surgery and what stage of LC I have. Any comments or help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks you all again, Bill in PA _________________ wfs

Thanks again all of you caring people. Question: I live in a small town area and not many Dr's perform cancer surgery. I am seriously looking at the Fox Chase Cancer center in Phila and the Sloan Kittering cancer clinic in NY if I indeed am a candidate for surgery. I am only about 120 miles from each. I have had many people say go to the big city, they have the best Dr's and latest technology for treatment. I have heard Fox Chase is one of the best in the country. What do you all think about this topic?? The pulmologist has already recommended a Thoracic surgeon here in my area but when I've asked around no one has ever heard of him and has no opinions on him!! Of course I have Blood work, EKG, and Chest XRAY scheduled for 3/3, a Bronchoscopy/biopsy scheduled for 3/7, the Pulmonary function test and bone scan on 3/14 and an MRI on 3/18 before I will even know if I am a candidate for surgery and what stage of LC I have. Any comments or help will bre greatly appreciated. Thanks you all again, Bill in PA

First and foremost I would like to thank all the kind and caring people who have responded to my post. I finally got to the pulmonary Dr today and the prognosis was yes, it is cancer. 2.5cm in the lower right lung and no indication of enlarged lymph nodes and his initial comments are promising. Of course I need all the followup tests, MRI, chest x-ray, blood work, pulmonary tests, and the biopsey before he can give me a definate. Because of the Petscan he seems to think it may be stage 1a or 1b and I would be a candidate for surgury and a complete recovery. But again nothing is definate until the tests are complete. He wants them done, including the surgury if I am a candidate in the next three weeks. Just wanted to post and update and thank you all and God bless all of you. Please pray for me. I'm am still very scared and nervous. Thanks again, Bill in PA

Forgive my ignorance but I see the word METS often in posts. What does it mean?? Thank you, Bill in PA

Thanks again to everyone responding. Received a call late yesterday for my appointment with the Pulmunary Dr. on Tuesday of next week. This is pure agony...the waiting. Very difficult to even work.. Cannot concentrate on anything but this problem. The xanex really help me sleep though. Last two nights slept very good although first thing in the morning the thoughts are back in my head. Thanks all for your help and support. Bill in Pennsylvania

I recently changed Dr's and being a 58 year old male he just sent me for all the normal tests one my age should have. i.e. blood work, glucose, catscan, colonostpy, etc. I am somwhat niave as to the meanings of the various abbreviations I have seen like nsclc and others??

Cindy, Thanks so much for your words of wisdom. I am also a recovering alcoholic for 17 years now so I am well aware of the "Let go and Let GOD" phrase. And actually I took a Xanex last night...My wife was perscribed them, and it was the first full nights sleep I've had since learning about this over a week ago. I also had a stent in 1997 and was a wreck then wondering if I would survive. So this isn't the first time I have gone through a tramatic experience but it doesn't get any easier. Thanks again to you and the others who have posted the information. I will definately keep in touch with this board.

Thanks all for the quick responses. The waiting is driving me crazy. I should have the results by Friday. I recently changed doctors and the new one just sent me for all kinds of tests, blood sugar, colomostpy, ct etc, etc. What do you all do to keep your sanity????? Is there a difference between nodule and tumor?? I will keep you posted on my results, Thanks again

This is my first post. Last week I had a Cat scan and was told I have a small nodule (2x2cm) in my lower right lung. Dr then sent me for a PET SCAN. Haven't received the results yet and am very scared and can't even think straight. Of course I am thinking the very worst. Can anyone tell me what to expect next?? I am a 58 year old male smoker for many years but when I read the symptoms of Lung Cancer I have none of them, i.e no shortness of breath, no chest pains, no coughing up blood, etc. which gives me a little hope. Thanks in advance wfs