Marilyn Raven

All
I think I had stopped posting before this happened (on advice from a lawyer) but it might be interesting for some of y'all 
I was sitting in my OSU recliner in late 21 and had an epiphany. I could stay in that fine recliner, get fat, and just wait or I could do something different. When I say I...my wife is included.
So we sat down and developed a bucket list. It included a bunch of stuff we both desired. First sell our much to big (with the boys gone) house. Buy my most desired car (CT6-V. Check it out if you like cars) and travel. We decided on starting with a cruise to Alaska to see how well I did. Went with some dear friends (one had LC also and has sense past) and had a fine time. I didn't do all the excursions, but my wife did and had a blast.
After that, we decided on a slow trip across the US starting in Washington. Made plans to meet up with friends along the way. Even had lunch with old friends from Seattle at the Mackinaw bridge in the UP of Michigan. We ended in Brooklyn New York where my wifes sister lives. Had my pup Mac with us for the drive.
Then we caught the QE2 in Brooklyn and sailed to South Hampton UK. 7 day journey which was fantastic. Had the widow of my second dad join us for the trip. It was magical.
Then we spent 3 months taking the train around Europe. From Rotterdam to Barcelona and two stops in France. It was a great trip but I learned that Europe is more divided than even the US. Any desire to retire there quickly dissolved. My two favorite visits were to a WW1 battle site in northern france and Normandy. The cemetery"s were very moving places. Tor du Hoc (sp) was astonishing. My parents generation were an incredible group to have accomplished what they did. Also very special was meeting up with a large group of friends from Longview in Paris for a fun night of food, drink and chat.
We then spent the last 3 weeks in England. Being Scottish we had to visit Edinburgh. I highly recommend it if you get a chance. The castle is the best we saw by far. Also, the war room exhibt in London was incredible and wore me out so much I had to rest for two days. We were joined by a special couple. The wife had just survived a breast cancer scare (when we set it up we didn't know if it was a recurrence yet) that turned out to be begnin. What a great week of celebration.
We had such a grand time on the QE2 coming from the US we decided to take it back home. In November. Across the North Atlantic! It was an exhilarating rough trip and I was very pleased to find I do not get sea sick.
Upon arrival back in Brooklyn I decided to drive straight back to Washington. My wife stayed with her sister for a few days and then flew home. It was the perfect end of the adventure for me. Alone in my bucket list Caddy driving as long and as fast as I wished. I enjoyed it immensely.
I can now claim to have traveled from Alaska to Barcelona and back without ever stepping on an airplane!
We did spend a bunch of my kids inheritance but I wouldn't do it any different. Sorry for the long post.
Tom
PS This post does not do justice to the trip. So many stories. So many memories. I have only one thing left on my bucket list. To watch the Lions in the Superbowl live. Is that possible this year? Yah damn right it is!

Cara,
I am sorry. I guess I am fortunate enough to survive so long that I've outlived the Google site that held the summation of my treatment history. Here it is, in brief.
Diagnosed February 4, 2024, stage IIIB, non-small cell, squamous cell, lung cancer. First-line treatment: 30 sessions of fractional general radiation to the large tumor (about 4" long and 3/4" in diameter) completely filling the main stem bronchus of my right lung. Adjuvant weekly taxol and carboplation, 6 infusions in total. Result: no evidence of disease (NED) scan after treatment. The objective of first-line was to shrink the tumor allowing the surgeon to remove my right lung. We decided we'd proceed with surgery. Second-line treatment: Open thoracotomy resection of my right lung. A week after surgery, I developed a fistula leak in the sutures of the bronchus stump. This required two follow-up surgeries to repair the fistula and 3 stent insertions. Time-wise, almost a year's worth of surgery and recovery. The first CT scan after surgical recovery showed 3 tumors in my left lung. Third-line treatment: 6 cycles of taxol and carboplatin chemotherapy with an infusion every 3 weeks. The 3-month post-treatment scan showed NED but the 6-month scan showed two of the tumors returning. Fourth-line treatment: 6 cycles of taxol and carboplatin adding the targeted therapy drug Tarceva. Tarceva is now given as a targeted therapy for certain forms of adenocarcinoma. At the time I was given this drug, doctors didn't realize the limitations of the drug. All that was known was the drug worked for a small population of lung cancer patients. Again, I had a NED scan after treatment but my 6-month scan showed a single tumor recurrence. Fifth-line treatment: A CyberKnife precision radiation (SBRT) treatment for the persistent tumor in my right lung. 3 months after this treatment, I had a NED scan (June 2007) and I've been NED ever since. Sorry about using the term tumors to describe your husband's situation. The size you report puts them clearly in the nodule classification.
Stay the course.
Tom

Hi Mary Ann
I was diagnosed with 1b in 2021 had upper right lobe removed no other treatment, I have had 6 monthly scans since then the last one will be next week if all is still well after that I will go to annual scans for the next few years.
I have made a full recovery I walk my dog daily and really live life to the fullest, I do take care to avoid Covid and other respiratory virus's by still wearing a mask in enclosed public spaces so far, I haven't had any of them hopefully that will continue. 
Take care may all be well.
Blessings
Marilyn from Australia

Have not updated in a while, and while I wish I was writing this sooner, my brother will undergo sbrt (gamma knife) 5 fractions this week.
The doctor was not too excited with the size of the lesion which is almost 3cm, but says that there is 80 percent chance for the lesion to be fully eliminated and about 15% there will be a left over tissue.
It is a shame that we kind of wasted 3 months, but my brother was just not cooperative on this part and was relying on the initial doctor opinion. (The oncologist is fine but was limited in resources such as precise radiation therapy).
So we will see how this goes. The oncologist (new one) says it might take 6 to 8 months for the lesion to shrink to the smallest possible size or to be eliminated. He also suggests regular surgery, but cautioned that it might have effects on the left side of the face and body (losing sense or paralized) especially the face. However he did say that regular at that point might be better than radiation.
Stay strong!

Mary Ann,
Welcome here!
We completely understand how you feel about recurrence uncertainty. I had 5 recurrences in my treatment days, each an assault on body and spirit. Yes, ground glass opacities can change but they can also stay the same. In nearly 20 years of survival, my yearly scan reports small nodules with ground glass opacities!
How did I cope with recurrence uncertainty? I learned how to live in the day without dwelling on the past or anticipating the future. When I wake I have my day to plan, organize, and live. I can cope with a day. My future will bring what it brings and worrying about it won't improve circumstances or outcomes.
Stay the course.
Tom

Hi Mary Ann
I was diagnosed with 1b in 2021 had upper right lobe removed no other treatment, I have had 6 monthly scans since then the last one will be next week if all is still well after that I will go to annual scans for the next few years.
I have made a full recovery I walk my dog daily and really live life to the fullest, I do take care to avoid Covid and other respiratory virus's by still wearing a mask in enclosed public spaces so far, I haven't had any of them hopefully that will continue. 
Take care may all be well.
Blessings
Marilyn from Australia

Hi Mary Ann
I was diagnosed with 1b in 2021 had upper right lobe removed no other treatment, I have had 6 monthly scans since then the last one will be next week if all is still well after that I will go to annual scans for the next few years.
I have made a full recovery I walk my dog daily and really live life to the fullest, I do take care to avoid Covid and other respiratory virus's by still wearing a mask in enclosed public spaces so far, I haven't had any of them hopefully that will continue. 
Take care may all be well.
Blessings
Marilyn from Australia

Hi Mary Ann
I was diagnosed with 1b in 2021 had upper right lobe removed no other treatment, I have had 6 monthly scans since then the last one will be next week if all is still well after that I will go to annual scans for the next few years.
I have made a full recovery I walk my dog daily and really live life to the fullest, I do take care to avoid Covid and other respiratory virus's by still wearing a mask in enclosed public spaces so far, I haven't had any of them hopefully that will continue. 
Take care may all be well.
Blessings
Marilyn from Australia

Everybody and Marilyn,
Thanks for the kind words.  I'm blessed and grateful to be here and it's my honor to be able to support my brothers and sisters.

Marilyn, please keep us updated on your scans.  Know that there are prayers and kind thoughts going up for you.  You are not alone.
Lou

Such good news I am very happy for you Lou, you gave me a lot of encouragement when I was facing my lobectomy 2+ years ago, so far so good, my last 6 month scan is September, if all is well it will be annual for the next 2 years.
Go well enjoy life
blessings 
Matilyn from Aus

Such good news I am very happy for you Lou, you gave me a lot of encouragement when I was facing my lobectomy 2+ years ago, so far so good, my last 6 month scan is September, if all is well it will be annual for the next 2 years.
Go well enjoy life
blessings 
Matilyn from Aus

I went for my 4-year CT Scan this morning and got the following result two hours later:  "Impression: Stable exam without evidence of local tumor recurrence or thoracic metastasis."  Needless to say l'm rid of my "scanziety for 2023".  I meet with the Oncologist tomorrow, but now it can be just a friendly chat.

Lou

Sending you best wishes Bridget, and hope your wife makes a full recovery so you can continue to have some good times together, 
Blessing from Oz
Marilyn 

Very good news indeed 
Cheers 
Marilyn

Very good news indeed 
Cheers 
Marilyn

Sending you best wishes Bridget, and hope your wife makes a full recovery so you can continue to have some good times together, 
Blessing from Oz
Marilyn 

Hi Aussie here,
I see you live in Victoria so you have one of the best specialist cancer centres in AUS, I can understand your anxiety it's very difficult to wait, however I am sure you will be referred to a specialist centre quite quickly, I live in a regional area in NSW and have to travel to Canberra to see my oncologist, is the nodule 1,6mm or Ctm, because that will make a difference as to how quickly they make a referral, he has had a CT scan so most probably a PET will be next, it's hard to remain calm but we have excellent treatment options here. Perhaps you can contact your GP or whoever ordered the heart scan to ask about the specialist appointment, wishing you all the best, may all be well.
Marilyn 
 
 

Hi Aussie here,
I see you live in Victoria so you have one of the best specialist cancer centres in AUS, I can understand your anxiety it's very difficult to wait, however I am sure you will be referred to a specialist centre quite quickly, I live in a regional area in NSW and have to travel to Canberra to see my oncologist, is the nodule 1,6mm or Ctm, because that will make a difference as to how quickly they make a referral, he has had a CT scan so most probably a PET will be next, it's hard to remain calm but we have excellent treatment options here. Perhaps you can contact your GP or whoever ordered the heart scan to ask about the specialist appointment, wishing you all the best, may all be well.
Marilyn 
 
 

Hi Aussie here,
I see you live in Victoria so you have one of the best specialist cancer centres in AUS, I can understand your anxiety it's very difficult to wait, however I am sure you will be referred to a specialist centre quite quickly, I live in a regional area in NSW and have to travel to Canberra to see my oncologist, is the nodule 1,6mm or Ctm, because that will make a difference as to how quickly they make a referral, he has had a CT scan so most probably a PET will be next, it's hard to remain calm but we have excellent treatment options here. Perhaps you can contact your GP or whoever ordered the heart scan to ask about the specialist appointment, wishing you all the best, may all be well.
Marilyn 
 
 

Hi Auk
I don't comment here often cuz I am an Aussie but I found this forum invaluable when I was first diagnosed like you it was found during a surveillance scan, mine was for a previous uterine cancer now NED, anyway my lung nodule was a similar size to yours was staged at 1b, no lymph involvement and no further treatment required, that surgery was June 2021 so far 2 scans down and all is well, I will be under surveillance for the next 3.5 years. 
The tips on recovery after surgery were invaluable and helped enormously as did the very kind people here on this forum, my recovery took about 3 months i had upper right lobectomy, I am now back to walking my dog 2-3 kms every day and I will be 76 in June.
Wishing you a smooth surgery and a full recovery take care and good luck
Marilyn

Hi Marilyn,
Your comment is very reassuring. Thank you for taking the time to reach out to a stranger across the globe. I wish you continued health!

Hi Auk
I don't comment here often cuz I am an Aussie but I found this forum invaluable when I was first diagnosed like you it was found during a surveillance scan, mine was for a previous uterine cancer now NED, anyway my lung nodule was a similar size to yours was staged at 1b, no lymph involvement and no further treatment required, that surgery was June 2021 so far 2 scans down and all is well, I will be under surveillance for the next 3.5 years. 
The tips on recovery after surgery were invaluable and helped enormously as did the very kind people here on this forum, my recovery took about 3 months i had upper right lobectomy, I am now back to walking my dog 2-3 kms every day and I will be 76 in June.
Wishing you a smooth surgery and a full recovery take care and good luck
Marilyn

Hi Auk
I don't comment here often cuz I am an Aussie but I found this forum invaluable when I was first diagnosed like you it was found during a surveillance scan, mine was for a previous uterine cancer now NED, anyway my lung nodule was a similar size to yours was staged at 1b, no lymph involvement and no further treatment required, that surgery was June 2021 so far 2 scans down and all is well, I will be under surveillance for the next 3.5 years. 
The tips on recovery after surgery were invaluable and helped enormously as did the very kind people here on this forum, my recovery took about 3 months i had upper right lobectomy, I am now back to walking my dog 2-3 kms every day and I will be 76 in June.
Wishing you a smooth surgery and a full recovery take care and good luck
Marilyn

Thanks my surgeon referred to my tumor as unremarkable common in smokers and non smokers, so probably no markers of note, I am however on 6 monthly scans for the next few years so an recurrence should be found early, fingers crossed 2 down so far so good, at this stage I feel very lucky that it was picked up early and wasn't a  connected to my previous uterine cancer also 1b from 5 years ago I have just been cleared with that so now they are focused on the lung cancer, yep I feel very lucky indeed and I am grateful for every beautiful day. 
Blessings all 

Thanks my surgeon referred to my tumor as unremarkable common in smokers and non smokers, so probably no markers of note, I am however on 6 monthly scans for the next few years so an recurrence should be found early, fingers crossed 2 down so far so good, at this stage I feel very lucky that it was picked up early and wasn't a  connected to my previous uterine cancer also 1b from 5 years ago I have just been cleared with that so now they are focused on the lung cancer, yep I feel very lucky indeed and I am grateful for every beautiful day. 
Blessings all