Donna G

Hello friend. I was diagnosed with a Pancoast tumor in the apex of my right upper lobe . I also went to the doctor because I was having chest wall pain and pain down my right arm. It was named after a Doctor Pancoast who was the one that set up the plan to treat it. I had chemo and radiation . It shrunk then they were able to do surgery. The plan also includes chemo after surgery. With modern radiation it is hard for me to believe they would be unable to do radiation. I would find a Doctor or clinic cable of doing the radiation with the chemo. It sure worked for me. I am more than 18 years since diagnosis. Keep us posted. Donna G

Hi D and welcome. I was stage 3B diagnosed Dec. 3 , 1997. I had a tumor in the apex of my upper R lung. It was pressing on nerves going down my arm and pressing on the lining of my lung. No positive lymph nodes, no metastasis. I started with lots of chemo and daily radiation. Next they did take my lobe of lung . After I had more chemo. I am still here. When they took out my lung I asked the Doctor about the tumor and he said it was all dead. I did have chemo after because that was the plan from the first. If you go to my story you can find my journey in more detail. It is possible to survive . I pray you also respond well to the chemo. It is tough but I did survive. Keep us posted. Donna G

Hello and I also welcome you to the group. I have known way too many people that never ever smoked that have been diagnosed with lung cancer. It is not fair that people think only people that smoke get lung cancer. People do not know how many thousands suffer with it each year and that it is the leading killer , more than the next four cancers combined. I also believe they should even make it illegal to sell cigarettes for those companies just want to make money on an addictive substance. They don't care that it cause many deadly diseases. Glad to hear that you want to advocate for prevention, research and a cure for the thousands of people affected by lung cancer. The truth needs to be known. Donna G

Hi Karen . Welcome. I had my chemo a long time ago. I had Cisplatin and Etopiside, not Alimta. Actually I didn't think they used Cisplatin very much any more. I thought the newer drug they used was Carboplatin. Chemo is scary. A central port is a good idea. I am glad I was able to get it for I believe I am here today because of it ( and radiation and surgery) They have made many advances and have good treatments available that help with side affects. Keep us posted on what you decide and how you are doing. Donna G

Hello Christina. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis but as you might know we have been on your journey. It is great that many in recent years have been able to have the VATS surgery. It is a lot easier to recover from. I was Stage 3B and did have to have chemo and radiation to shrink to shrink the tumor before I could have surgery. If it turns out that way it can have a good outcome. I know for I am still alive and I was diagnosed in December 1997 . Please let us know if you have concerns or questions. Also keep us posted on how things are going. I hope also that you have family and friends there to be at your side for Doctor visits and treatments . Donna G

Hello . Glad you found us. I also went to the doctor for pain. I thought it was an orthopedic type of pain. Turned out I had a tumor pressing on my chest wall and nerves going down my arm. Are they going to give you radiation of the other tumor also? How are you tolerating the treatment. Any side affects? Please keep us posted on how you and doing and what the next plan is. Also feel free to ask questions. We want to help. We have been on this journey. Donna G

Chris I agree with you . Find a second opinion. Keep us updated. We want to know what the new doctor says. Donna G

Hello Chris, welcome. You are in the state where I was born and raised. I grew up in Boston but spent the summers in Marion on Buzzards Bay. I am glad to hear you are a survivor. Me too. You say you are still looking for answers? How are you doing? Please let us know how you are doing and we would love to help in any way we can. Donna G

Welcome Bill. Wow it sounds like that was rough having your lung collapse . You must be a tough guy. It also sound rough to get rapid A Fib and find out you have another tumor. You are blessed to have wonderful and helpful friends and family. When we go through all this we really need a lot of help. Glad to hear your chemo 's side affects are manageable . Please keep us posted on how you are doing. By the way most of us do get hair back eventually. Donna G

Hello ane welcome Fatine. Glad you found us . I have traveled your road of chemo and radiation. Later able to have surgery and I also had more chemo after surgery. That road started for me in Dec of 1997. I am still alive and breathing. I pray you also have wonderful results. Hope you are on high ground. The news says the Texans are getting record breaking amounts of rain. Have you got friends and family around to help you in your recovery ? Please keep us posted on how things are doing and how you are coping. Donna G

Hi Sandra. This is a great place to come . It is a tough road and we need support. I hope you have someone with you helping with appointments and another set of ears too. There are times when it is so hard to listen and remember all the Doctor says. I was stage 3B NSCLC diagnosed in December 1997. I also started with chemo and radiation. I pray you respond well to it also. Please keep us posted on how you are doing. Donna G

I heard on the news tonight that Dana Farber Cancer center in Boston has a blood test to determine the best treatment for NSCLC and detect genetic mutations. http://www.nbcnews.com/health/cancer/liquid-biopsy-helps-doctors-pick-best-cancer-drug-more-easily-n552606 Has any heard of this or had this test? Donna

Hi Debi, glad you found us. Wow. You are so fortunate that the Doctor did that Xray ! It is also wonderful that they got your treatment started quickly. So you start chemo this week and just go once a week. Who will go with you? Hope you have someone walking this walk with you. This is tough but it can be beaten. I was diagnosed at age 50 in 1997. It was tough but I made it through all the chemo, radiation and surgery. I am still here. Please keep us updated on how you are doing. Donna G

Yesterday on Dr. Oz show they said that people that eat a lot of Carbs increase their risk of Lung Caner. They cause an increase In the hormone Insulin . The high level of Insulin sends a signal to lung cells to grow. They also said if you must eat a carb at least it should be one with fiber to slow the absorption and stimulation of insulin. If you do eat low carb diet it may cause constipation. Fiber helps that problem also. Has anyone heard this before? Donna G

Hello Paparon. So surgery in 4 days, would that be Thursday? Deep breathing, getting up out of bed after surgery and walking are important. Have you got family and friends to be with you? Does the Doctor think this is all that will be necessary? Hope it all goes well for you. I eventually had my right upper lobe removed. It takes a while but you adapt . Please keep us posted on how you are doing . Feel free to ask questions. Donna G

jquilts I am glad they did the biopsy and you have seen an Oncologist. I am sure you are in shock. Do you have family their in Arizona with you? I hope so or at least some good friends. I am sure you will need someone to be with you on this journey. You really do need that PET scan to be sure it as not spread anywhere. Then if not I hope you are well enough to get that surgery soon. Did they do any genetic testing? Please keep us posted on how you are doing and what the plan will be. Donna G

Hello Antony. So sorry to hear about your wife. Glad to hear she is in a good Cancer center. Hopefully she will get that biopsy done soon and also the genetic testing. I hope they have given her something to help her deal with the pain also. I started with chemo and radiation and it helped a lot to shrink and kill the tumor. It is not easy but it was well worth it. Glad she has a loving and caring husband to be there with her on this difficult journey. Remember to bring a notebook , get answers to all your questions and write them down. You certainly will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted on the results of the test and her plan. sincerely Donna G

Hello. I am sad your Mom has to go through all this. It is wonderful however that she was able to get to a good Medical center and get diagnosed. The sooner the better ! I was diagnosed stage 3B in December 1997. I had just turned 50. I pray that your Mom will have good results and be here years from now with you. I do not remember hearing of " spindle" cell carcinoma. If they have gotten the tumor before it has had a chance to spread that would be best. If they find it in lymph nodes etc. there is also the option of chemo. Please come back and let us know how she is doing. Again wishing for the best results, Donna G

Rhonda you are back home ! Great news. So happy with your update. I hope you feel better and better every day. Donna G

Thanks for the update. Glad you have persisted in getting that CT. Sad results but it is better to know and get it treated than have it grow and spread because you did not know. Have you an appointment for biopsy? or with an Oncologist? Keep us posted. Donna G

Wow. You are having a bronchoscopy on Wednesday. Please share the results. I lived some in Norfolk Va. in about 1976 to 1977, my husband was in the Navy. I am sure your son is blessed that you are there for him. Do you have any close friends that can help you? I hope so. I agree with Tom regarding hair loss. Some people loose it all and some don't , some loose just some of it. The drug you get makes a difference, the dose you get and other factors affect your chances also. I am grateful that being late stage--------3B --------with great treatment I did survive. As you may be able to read below my husband who had 2 tiny spots in one lung had a vicious disease that immediately spread every where , did not respond to his chemo, I lost him. Again I pray that you respond as I did and your son will have you with him for many years to come. Keep us posted. Donna G

Hello. Welcome. Since you are newly diagnosed I bet you have a lot on your miind ! I remember it was overwhelming to me. I also had chemo and radiation before I was able to have surgery. I lost most of my hair in a few weeks . It was very thin on my head but I still had some.. I did not have to shave my legs etc. at all. That part was good. I assume you have some type of NSCLC. I hope you have family and friends near by to help you and go to appointments with you. I pray you respond as I did. I started my journey in December 1997. I have survived. Please keep us posted. Share with us how you are doing and don't hesitate to ask questions. That is why we are here. Best wishes, Donna G

Rhonda THAT IS GREAT NEWS ! Thanks so much for the update. So I think you are saying that by the 20th of this month you may be home from the hospital ! Looking forward to hear how you are doing. Best wishes, Donna G

Hi Giddyuppp. ( do you like horses?) I am a little confused with your post. Are you saying you have lung cancer in bothe lungs? Right and left? Only a few days left until 2/4 . I had surgery after chemo and radiation so I was wiped out before surgery but boy I was glad that I had gotten to the point that they would do surgery to cut that cancer out of me. It took several weeks to get off pain meds and start doing a regular day but here I am talking to you and I survived so it was well worth it. Please keep us posted on how you are doing. Donna G

Hello Rhonda. Glad you found us and are sharing your journey. So far it sounds like the cancer is confined to your Left upper lobe. Hopefully they will not find it in your bones either. The best would be if you are able to tolerate that lobe of lung to be removed with the tumor. How are you breathing now, do you require Oxygen supplement? Chemo is tough but they have a lot of meds that will help with the side affects. Also there is new radiation treatments that zoom in on the tumor and can be very affective. Please update us and let us know how you are doing. Hope you have family and friends close by to help you and to go with you to apointments and be an extra set of ears. Best wishes, Donna G