LouT

Maryloumoo, If you were feeling unsafe with he staff then cancelling was the best thing to do. I hope your surgery went well. I"ll have to check for any posts you have on it. Lou

Research is still out on RSO. Yes, it's high in THC, but I look upon a "THC Based Solution" from a cannabis activist with a certain amount of skepticism. I'd really like to see more evidence of efficacy, but if folks find it useful then more power to them. Lou

Good Bro', I do not have experience with any non-surgical treatment, but I'm so glad to hear of your brother's cancer becoming stable. That is most surely a step in the right direction and our hope is that there is a regression of the cancer over time. I hope he can regain his weight as well. Try anything that he will eat and tolerate. Lou

Chris, This surgery is easier than we think. Yes, it's scary and yes the "chest tube" sucks, but you'll do better than you expect. I hope by now you are resting comfortably and some of the anxiety you felt has diminished. Did you ever get to read my "Thoracic Surgery Tips and Tricks"? If not it can be found here. It will provide some good advice for your post-surgery recovery. My immediate advice is to take your pain meds as prescribed and relax and rest as needed. By now they've already had you up, so your pain block has likely worn off and the oral meds will keep you comfortable. Stay strong and know that you are already on the "healing side" of the surgery. Lou

Lizzy, I'm so sad to hear the outcome of your treatment and the need for hospice. My prayers are with you and your family. Lou

I assume you are asking this hypothetically. I don't believe anyone on this forum can answer your question with confidence. Our approach here is to support those with lung cancer as well as their families and caregivers. We do this by sharing our own experiences and learning as people that have gone through this disease. I don't mean to belittle your question, but it is one you should ask to a doctor or just research literature in order to get an answer.. In the meantime, if you would like to read a bit about "Navigating Your Diagnosis" you can find a number of articles on the topic here. Lou

Kamoto, There is a blog entitled "10 Steps to Surviving Lung Cancer; from a Survivor" and it can be found here. There is a lot of good information to be found in it. In addition, there is information on "Treatment Options for Lung Cancer", a good synopsis of what the treatment options are that may provide some of what you are looking for regarding chemo. That is on this page. We also have forums on treatments and sharing based on mutation types and they can be found here. Stick around, keep posting and ask questions. There is a wealth of information and support available to you here by a great group of survivors. Lou

Sabin, When I was first diagnosed with Lung Cancer (Feb 2019), I believed the end had come. In my family, almost everybody on my mother's side (including my mother and father) died of cancer and for a few specifically LC. When diagnosed I was living with my wife who had advanced dementia and I was a 24/7 caregiver. Two of my three kids lived in other states and I determined that I didn't have much longer to live so I needed to plan for "the end". I still had two months of tests before my diagnostic process would be completed, but for me I couldn't see anything but death. Then I came across this site and I was embraced beyond what I expected. Others shared their stories of diagnosis, treatment and survival. Some for months, others for years , and even others for more than a decade since diagnosis. They answered my questions, encouraged me, and had me so prepared for my surgery and follow up treatment that I felt more ready than any other time in my life. My focus changed, rather than centering my thoughts about dying I began thinking about living. Prior to my surgery, (in May 2019), I increased my workouts to better prepare my body to heal and I started thinking about what to do with my future rather than seeing nothing but an oncoming disaster. It dawned on my that to waste the life I wanted to continue so much on worry and things outside my control would never let me enjoy whatever life I had left. I can tell you that even today I'm aware that this is a disease of high recurrence and "Dr Google" survival stats are terrible (also inaccurate for more reasons than I will go into here), but my choice was to live every day until I can't do it anymore. I support a number of varied groups and contribute to the forums here on Lungevity. I cherish my friends and family more, write music, read books, and allow life to unfold day by day. I can only say that with the help of folks here, support of my medical team, and a change of mindset; my life became a wonderful gift that I will enjoy each and every day. I certainly understand your feelings and won't ever diminish them, but I am here to say that there is "life after cancer" and I hope you are able to live it fully and with joy. Lou

All digits crossed that you have an infection. Then you can treat it and move one. Please keep us updated. Lou

Hi Phil, Welcome to our forum and I'm sorry you need to be here. This can be a scary time and nobody understands what you're feeling more than all of us on this site. You'll soon be hearing from others who have had chemo. My treatment was surgical so I cannot speak from experience, but I will share some very important information with you. First, "10 Steps to Surviving Lung Cancer; from a Survivor". It is a great wealth of information and can be found here. Second, "Treatment Options for Lung Cancer", a good synopsis of what the treatment options are that may provide some of what you are looking for regarding chemo. That is on this page. Finally, is "Chemotherapy", this is a sub-forum where people share their questions and answers regarding chemotherapy and it is found here. It is normal to be filled with a large range of emotions right now, but we have folks here who are NED (No Evidence of Disease) for years and I am one of them. You won't be alone in this journey. Lou

Chris, You have a chance of finding out if this is a malignancy sooner rather than later. In my case I couldn't find out fast enough. I think you are stronger than you believe you are. Early diagnosis and treatment is a great leverage for long-term prognosis. If you are strongly considering cancelling please speak with your doctor first and share all your concerns. Lou

Minh, It's good to hear from you again. Sorry that the SOB is still there, but hopefully the antibiotics will have some positive effect. I'm not sure if you have a spirometer, but if you do using that may help keep your lungs clearer and also give them a mild workout. Please continue to keep us updated. Lou

Kelvin, Welcome to our forum, sorry you need to be here. Others here have been diagnosed at stages 3 and 4 and will be responding to you soon (I was diagnosed at Stage 1). But Lung Cancer has its own set of challenges and characteristics. We have a section online called "Lung Cancer 101" and it can be found here. This can give you a reasonable overview of what your journey will hold. Lou

Lizzy, You're a great example of the courage and strength that so many here learn to depend on to make this journey. I'm so glad to hear about the improvements and will wait to hear how they tackle that stubborn one in the adrenal gland. Please continue to keep us updated, but also keep living your life... that is the best medicine of all. Lou

Deb, It sounds as if your sister has surely had a difficult road. You raise a couple of important points and I'll try to address what I can here. First is the biopsy; that is really the definitive test to determine if the growth is a malignancy or not. Without the knowledge gleaned from that test (i.e., type of cancer, biomarkers, small cell vs. non-small cell, etc.) there is little that anyone can do if this is cancer and progress outside of palliative and/or hospice care. Next, I want to reinforce what Rikke told you about treatments coming a long way. But, that doesn't guarantee no side effects nor does it guarantee success against the type of cancer she may have. Finally, if she is refusing all testing and treatment options (and I appreciate that is her choice to make) then you need to at least get the biopsy (if at all possible) to determine what she will be dealing with and then arrange for the appropriate level of care for her (palliative or hospice) to make her days as comfortable and pain-free as possible. I sometimes worry that some folks look at the side-effects of treatment and believe that just letting the disease progress will be easier (something I myself have considered). But the reality is that it may or may not be. If your sister is suffering from clinical depression that may be affecting her mental attitude toward treatment as well. She might benefit from seeing a professional and perhaps some antidepressant medication. I wish there was more I could tell you. If she does decided to accept the diagnostic process and treatment we have a lot of information and experience to share with you for her benefit. My prayers are with you both. Lou

Rikke you should be able to click on the three buttons on the top right of the message and delete it. Lou

Justin I've noticed the help you've offered to others just coming into the forums. You're already exhibiting the courage of a winner, keep it up. Lou

Nur, I'm not a doctor, but I would have your mom's medical team check all her meds to see what might be antagonizing her reaction to food into vomiting. Lou

Tammy, Welcome to our forums and sorry you need to be here. As Rilke said there are new treatments coming online all the time so please remember to stay optimistic about that. You'll also be hearing from others with similar diagnosis who are still here among us years later. The road was not easy, but they made it. Last bit of advice; "stay away from Dr. Google" regarding prognosis data...there are a number of reasons that many of the prognosis data predictions are not accurate as they are done based on 5-year averages and don't into account weighted calculation for the many advances made in just the past few years. So please relax and list to others' stories. You can even look up a few on the "Share Your Lung Cancer Stories". It can be found here. I look forward to more chats in the morning. Lou

Nur I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you mean by "pulling out" what she eats. Are trying to say vomiting or diarrhea? Sorry, I just don't get it. Lou

Hang in there Justin. You'll get through this.' Lou

Izzy, Thank you for the update. Please remind Justin that everybody here is rooting for him and we look forward to his return. Lou

Justin, I have something you should try to visualize: o someone is trying to hurt you...it could quickly get very serious. o someone else comes along and stands between you and the dangerous person. They go so far as to eliminate them as a threat to you. The "savior" is your SBRT treatment...you already know who the bad guy is. In life you would run to the good guy...the protector...think of your treatment that way. I always appreciated when Tom would say something like; "let's fry that sucker".... Try this a few times; close your eyes, breathe in and out slowly and deeply, imagine the danger and then the protector...you may not realize it, but you're fearing the wrong thing. Lou

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Okay Justin...now is the time to celebrate...every small improvement and better than expected scan deserves smiles, happiness and time with family and friends. Get out there and enjoy the life you're fighting for. Lou

Justin, Keep looking forward to the treatment where those little buggers will be fried and gone. Lou