LouT

Nice.  I love reading Stable. Stable is a great term.  

Hi all…had my 3 month brain mri and ct scan of chest/abdomen/pelvis done. On the mri where I had gamma knife in November, there was a slight increase of lesion but still within the treatment area so radiologist is confident it is just some swelling. The ct showed stability, so I am good for the next 3 months I guess.

Thank you Karen, I appreciate your kind thoughts and encouragement. Your comment about neighborhoods being interesting at 3 am made me laugh. I have found out recently who walks their dogs at 4 am 😊. I find thinking about our travels over the years helps me go back to sleep. A week from tomorrow I’ll be at the hospital getting prepped for my 8:30 am surgery and will any luck will have some wonderful anti anxiety meds on board 👍

Hope nodes are clear and surgery is curative for you!!  Appreciate your update and will wait to hear on your final path.....  Hang in there - this waiting is hard too...

Good to hear.  Early diagnosis is a real benefit to success.
Lou

So true Tom.  But isn't that the case with all hardship?  Nobody escapes them.  Thanks for sharing.
Lou

Good to hear.  Early diagnosis is a real benefit to success.
Lou

Hey all, just wanted to follow up. Had surgery Monday. As diagnosed it was adenocarcinoma. Dr removed a wedge of my lobe and said cleared margins. He also removed lymph nodes. Feeling lucky for the incidental find and choosing the surgical biopsy . Waiting on lymph node results. I have a Follow up may 9th. Thanks for the support. 

I've been away from the discussion and this may have resolved itself, but, frankly, I think your situation is completely unacceptable. I would strongly suggest you get yourself to a facility specializing in lung cancer.
I see you're in Maryland-- you have to be near a reputable cancer center specializing in lung cancer. Yes, I'm emphasizing a place with a specialty in lung cancer. That's because our cancer field is exploding with new research and a generalist cannot stay on top of the new developments.
All you need is a starting place. It's kind of like being a detective and may take a little effort on your part. I don't have any comments pro or con the following places, but they may be good first steps. 
Potential resources: two NCI-designated cancer centers in MD. You can find them here:https://www.cancer.gov/research/infrastructure/cancer-centers/find
I also found a lung nodule clinic affiliated with U of MD, which may be worth checking out. https://www.umms.org/uch/health-services/cancer/cancer-services-and-treatment/lung
Keep at this. Keep us posted!
 
 

What a crappy situation! I am really surprised no one has suggested a PET scan now, rather than wait. You might suggest that to your pulm doc. Especially since you had existing nodules.
Best wishes
Tom

That will help you so much and hopefully reduce some stress too....

Nice.  I was ineligible because I already retired early.

What a lovely surprise. I vote for going out to dinner to celebrate!

Yay for $$!

Good for you Tom

Just found out my Social security disability came thru! Took forever (blame Covid) but my better half kept pressing the system. She is a rock star.
A very nice surprise that I had mentally written off.
Hope everyone is hanging in.
Tom

I, too, had a PE and then mysterious swelling of both calves way later, for no apparent reason. The oncologist on call was baffled. I, too, went to the ER, had a vascular sonogram, was forgotten in my little room and had to seek discharge.... 🤪 I don't even remember what was decided or what I did. I don't have it now.
Still, one foot still swollen would concern me. Have they suggested compression socks? Don't be a "good patient" and sit in silence. This demands an answer and a concrete response.  

@Blossomsmom For what it's worth, a friend once consoled me through a huge no-sleep period with, "Nobody ever died from lack of sleep." I'm not sure it's true, but it somehow made it easier. Rather than lie there, perhaps you'd consider getting up for warm milk with a little honey and cinnamon. It might not ease you into sleep, but it will be a kindness you might enjoy. Plus, neighborhoods can be so interesting at 3 a.m..... Ask me how I know. You can do this; you will do this, and you will be OK. Sending peace. 

So thankful for the immunotherapy. It seems to be a game changer for treatment. It only makes sense as chemo an radiationteeaar down thee system.

Awesome news! Fellow 4 year NED buddies!

@Scruboak  Four years or five, a clear scan is a clear scan and worthy of a deep breath of thank goodness and a barrel-full of WHOOPEE!

Boy do I love hearing this kind of news.  Congratulations and get out there and enjoy all that wonderful Spring weather.
Lou

Bob,
Sorry to hear about the recurrence but glad you found us.  Nodules that grow are definitely worth getting a biopsy and I understand that they want more mass so they can do a better job of getting the sample they need to test properly.  The waiting is terrible and I remember feeling great anxiety during my initial diagnosis and especially when I was told to "wait 3 months" before the next scan.  Needless to say I was not a happy camper.  I'm so glad that you gave up the smoking.  Regardless of the COPD I'm sure that your breathing is most likely better now than when you were active in the habit.  That will be a help through this.  Please keep us updated and feel free to ask any questions you want.  We have a pretty large base of survivors on this site with a great variety of diagnosis and treatments so there is a lot of experience to share.  You won't need to go through this alone.
Lou

Blossomsmom,
Tom is correct...stay until, you're ready to go home.  Please reread "Thoracic Surgery Tips & Tricks", take your pain meds as prescribed, move when you can, rest when tired, and use the heck out of that spirometer (I'm a simple man and just called my Spiro).  I look forward to the post where you say, "this surgery wasn't as bad as I feared".  My prayers are for your peace going in, successful surgery, and speedy recovery afterward.
Lou

It may not be so uncommon that separate scans produce some differing images.  It’s good to hear that the nodules are not growing or presently considered malignant.  Having said that there may be other tests they can run.  For example, a PET Scan could show up malignancy in cells within the nodules or not show anything (good news).  But at the end of the day a biopsy is considered the gold standard for determining the malignancy or non-malignancy of a growth.  Sixty percent of nodules are benign but as a former cancer patient (like me; colon 2010, lung 2019) I would always error on the side of more data and confirmed testing.
Lou