[Stage IIIA, T1cN2Mx squamous cell carcinoma of the left lower lobe]

9 hours ago, Tom Galli said:

Phil,

Welcome here. Eighteen years ago, I was diagnosed with Stage IIIB squamous cell NSCLC. I had pre surgical chemo and radiation and after had my right lung removed. 

I completely understand anxious and scared. No surgery is a picnic. Here are some tips and tricks to prepare and heal quickly.

Let us know how things progress.

Stay the course.

Tom

Tom Thank you for this info it will help very much

[Newly diagnosed]

Thank you Everyone for your kind words and warm welcome.

Phil

[Stage IIIA, T1cN2Mx squamous cell carcinoma of the left lower lobe]

Good Afternoon,

 My name is Phil I’m 62 and was diagnosed with Lower Left lobe stage 3A squamous cell carcinoma. I have had two chemo sessions since diagnosis with neoadjuvant treatment with Opdivo, carboplatin, and Taxol2 and ZIEXTENZO (pegfilgrastim-bmez) day after treatment. This is in preparation for surgery to remove a less than 5cm mass. Has anyone had this or similar treatment and surgery for nsclc? 
Honestly very anxious and scared about surgery.

Thank you Phil

[Newly diagnosed]

On 5/19/2022 at 5:22 PM, Pstar said:

Phil,

I agree with everything Karen said about receiving chemo. My experience was basically the same. As far as the MRI, I was really nervous but it wasn’t that bad. The noises can be a little unsettling but I just closed my eyes. Hopefully you are not claustrophobic and the entire procedure was over with in about 20 minutes for me. Best of luck and keep us posted.

Pstar MRI went well took my Xanax and listened to my music.

Thank You 

Phil

[Newly diagnosed]

On 5/18/2022 at 5:26 PM, Karen_L said:

Phil,

I was a Paclitaxel/Carbo girl for 5 or 6 weeks while I underwent concurrent radiation. What to expect? I can tell you my experience, which seems pretty common. Arrive, get the usual check-in: weight, blood draws. They place a needle in a vein and tape it  in place. It's got a small tube and, depending on your situation, maybe other stuff, attached, to which they can run a controlled flow of the medicine. Once the bloods have been looked at and are OK for treatment, you get the go-ahead for the infusion. In my center, you get to pick a comfy chair with a view you like. 

Once settled in, they'll give you Benadryl and steroids beforehand. Then the nurse shows up with the bag(s) of magic elixir, hangs the bags, and keeps an eye on things throughout your visit. If you have to go to the bathroom, they show you how to do it with the device the fluid bags are hanging from. Maybe you'll get to have some cookies or some other snack. (I was partial to the jungle crackers.) 

I usually slept through most of my infusions. I also brought stuff to keep me occupied: technology & headphones, book, sweater or blanket. My place always offers heated blankets-- who can say no to that? My facility is also still requiring masks, which I would wear even if they didn't. 

Once the fluids have finished, they take out the needle, you pack your stuff, you go home. I don't remember significant after-effects from the chemo, but in order to be prepared for anything, they had me fill prescriptions for three or four anti-nausea meds before the first treatment. I was lucky; once any nausea started, I just took the meds as a matter of course, as prescribed, and never felt awful. YMMV (Your mileage may vary)

Usually, I would have a rest when I got home, mostly because of the radiation. 

If you've never had an MRI, you might want to consider asking for some calming meds to take beforehand. The MRI can take about 45 minutes. I was good without meds for the first two, then I was no longer willing to work on coping with being in a noisy big tube-- having cancer was enough to be coping with. I have a brain MRI next week; I'll take my medicine (from my doc) before I arrive at the MRI place.

I hope this gives you a sense of what you might expect. Again, everybody's cancer center is different, as are treatments. My message: you can do it. 

Karen

Karen thank you for this info and your experiences. I had a port placed about a week ago for my chemo treatment. MRI all done just waiting on results now. Then I have a pulmonary function test to prepare for surgery in a few months. My chemo will be around 6 hours each session with a 3 week break in between. 
Thank You so much

Phil

[Newly diagnosed]

Thank you Mark and Lou.

I will be starting my chemo soon. I am scheduled for MRI of my head this Friday then chemo will be scheduled. I’ll be getting

Opdivo ( Nivolumab )

Paclitaxel ( Taxol, Onxal )

Paraplatin ( Carboplatin )
and Pegfilgrastim day after treatment

Then onto surgery.

Thanks Phil

[Newly diagnosed]

Good evening,

   My name is Phil I am 62 y/o male. I was just recently diagnosed squamous cell carcinoma of the left lower lobe with a couple of lymph nodes. I will be starting my chemo in a week or so, I need to have head MRI before they start. I’d like to know what to expect on my first visit for chemo therapy? Honestly little scared about all this. I will have 6 hour chemo every 3 weeks after 3rd session then we will be discussing removing the mass in my lung. Any input would be greatly appreciated 

Thank you,

Phil

[New Here]

Good evening,

   My name is Phil I am 62 y/o male. I was just recently diagnosed squamous cell carcinoma of the left lower lobe with a couple of lymph nodes. I will be starting my chemo in a week or so, I need to have head MRI before they start. I’d like to know what to expect on my first visit for chemo therapy? Honestly little scared about all this. I will have 6 hour chemo every 3 weeks after 3rd session then we will be discussing removing the mass in my lung. Any input would be greatly appreciated 

Thank you,

Phil