Karen_L

Sue,
This is hard news. I'm so sorry you are dealing with it. Lung cancer does seem to like the brain. About a year after my initial diagnosis, a lesion was found on my brain. Because my fist line of treatment included radiation, I had a radiation oncologist on my team already, and the tumor board at my cancer center recommended gamma knife (similar to cyber knife) treatment. Despite the name, no knives are involved! It's a very precise, targeted form of radiation to the specific tumor sites. There are usually not big side effects-- I had none. (My brother-in-law did a 30 mile bike ride the day after his...which is more than I would attempt.) 
I was also started on Tagrisso, a therapy that targets EGFR-mutated cancer that's gone to the brain. 
It's a scary time but take it one step, one breath at a time. Please keep us posted.
K
 
 

I was first referred to a thoracic surgeon at the cancer center near me and her office set up all the testing, etc. Then the results were brought to the center's tumor board, which determined I was not a candidate for surgery (due to tumor location). Then they passed me to the oncologist I currently have. But they are all part of the same cancer center and have a seamless way of passing us to where we need to be. 
I would not be comfortable sitting with an unknown thing sitting in my lung. I would suggest getting to a lung cancer specialist for a consult ASAP. Lung cancer research is moving so fast that we must work with docs who keep up with the field-- no way a general oncologist can do this. 
Fingers crossed for you.
K

A second opinion with a doc who specializes in lung cancer is an excellent idea. 
I had a lime-sized tumor in my right lung, as well as some nodes, zapped. Radiation took a lot out of me, but killed everything, so that was worth it. 
It's hard to wade through the initial period of confusion, and it takes time to understand the options. But if you can see it as a step-by-step process, it can help cope with the uncertainty. 
K

Oooh, apple pie!
I hear you about knives-- I ended up in urgent care 4 days ago to get my finger glued. (He wanted me to go to the ER, but he took pity on me....) I hope your holidays are peaceful and happy. 
 

Thank you, @Pstar. It is truly a gift. Enjoy your holidays.

Thank you, @Pstar. It is truly a gift. Enjoy your holidays.

Had scans on Friday afternoon. The results showed up in my chart a couple of hours later: No nodules, no lymph node issues, stable post treatment scarring in treated area of lung, no recurrence. 
What a relief. This scan was higher on the anxiety scale for me, for whatever reason.
After I read the report, I realized I can be more intentional in how I choose to spend my days. It's so easy to take living for granted....
Oncologist tomorrow, then a respite. 
Karen

Yeah!!! So happy to hear this Karen. You can now kick back and enjoy the holidays in the manner you prefer. 

Yay! So happy for you, Karen! 🥰

Wonderful news! Continued success!

Biopsy done. Came through it with flying colors. Feeling pretty wiped out today but I guess that’s a result of anesthesia and to be expected. Thoracic surgeon told my husband she feels she got a good sampling for biopsy. So now we wait. 

Good for you for taking care of yourself. Here's hoping things go smoothly for the biopsy and that the waiting is endurable. 

Thanks, everybody. It's good to be able to share this news with people who understand the power of such news. 
 
K

Had scans on Friday afternoon. The results showed up in my chart a couple of hours later: No nodules, no lymph node issues, stable post treatment scarring in treated area of lung, no recurrence. 
What a relief. This scan was higher on the anxiety scale for me, for whatever reason.
After I read the report, I realized I can be more intentional in how I choose to spend my days. It's so easy to take living for granted....
Oncologist tomorrow, then a respite. 
Karen

Had scans on Friday afternoon. The results showed up in my chart a couple of hours later: No nodules, no lymph node issues, stable post treatment scarring in treated area of lung, no recurrence. 
What a relief. This scan was higher on the anxiety scale for me, for whatever reason.
After I read the report, I realized I can be more intentional in how I choose to spend my days. It's so easy to take living for granted....
Oncologist tomorrow, then a respite. 
Karen

Had scans on Friday afternoon. The results showed up in my chart a couple of hours later: No nodules, no lymph node issues, stable post treatment scarring in treated area of lung, no recurrence. 
What a relief. This scan was higher on the anxiety scale for me, for whatever reason.
After I read the report, I realized I can be more intentional in how I choose to spend my days. It's so easy to take living for granted....
Oncologist tomorrow, then a respite. 
Karen

Thanks, everybody. It's good to be able to share this news with people who understand the power of such news. 
 
K

Had scans on Friday afternoon. The results showed up in my chart a couple of hours later: No nodules, no lymph node issues, stable post treatment scarring in treated area of lung, no recurrence. 
What a relief. This scan was higher on the anxiety scale for me, for whatever reason.
After I read the report, I realized I can be more intentional in how I choose to spend my days. It's so easy to take living for granted....
Oncologist tomorrow, then a respite. 
Karen

Had scans on Friday afternoon. The results showed up in my chart a couple of hours later: No nodules, no lymph node issues, stable post treatment scarring in treated area of lung, no recurrence. 
What a relief. This scan was higher on the anxiety scale for me, for whatever reason.
After I read the report, I realized I can be more intentional in how I choose to spend my days. It's so easy to take living for granted....
Oncologist tomorrow, then a respite. 
Karen

Had scans on Friday afternoon. The results showed up in my chart a couple of hours later: No nodules, no lymph node issues, stable post treatment scarring in treated area of lung, no recurrence. 
What a relief. This scan was higher on the anxiety scale for me, for whatever reason.
After I read the report, I realized I can be more intentional in how I choose to spend my days. It's so easy to take living for granted....
Oncologist tomorrow, then a respite. 
Karen

Good for you for taking care of yourself. Here's hoping things go smoothly for the biopsy and that the waiting is endurable. 

Good for you for taking care of yourself. Here's hoping things go smoothly for the biopsy and that the waiting is endurable. 

Good for you for taking care of yourself. Here's hoping things go smoothly for the biopsy and that the waiting is endurable. 

Good for you for taking care of yourself. Here's hoping things go smoothly for the biopsy and that the waiting is endurable. 

Good for you for taking care of yourself. Here's hoping things go smoothly for the biopsy and that the waiting is endurable.