Livin Life

Sending support and healing energy your way, Tmph!

Sending support, PattyAnn.... You have received great, specific and broad helpful recommendations above!! I've seen so many people go through chemo, including a sister. They have all done well, which is relative of course. At the same time when somebody had a difficult time it was only for a few days as the treatment worked through their body and then the side effects waned. Then the next 2 weeks is soooo much better depending on the treatment cycles. The predictability of that has helped folks I know quite a bit (time limited and symptoms improve before long in between treatment cycles). Agree on antidiarrheals (often Immodium though also other options) and Zofran for nausea. My sister kept a lot of her fav foods on hand due to chemo - often small snack-like foods she could grab throughout the day. Her tastes changed a lot with chemo, which was good at times (no longer liked alcohol - she actually couldn't stand the taste of it - which was good for her lol). It returned later and she could enjoy a drink here and there....

Hi Hercules! I agree with 6 month scan - would hope that wouldn't be a problem with insurance. It too had several ground glass nodules found in Sept 2023. They got a 3 month scan approved then another 6 month scan. Given all those are stable we're moving out longer. Most of mine were also 6 mm though I had one or two that were larger (9 mm and 11 mm or similar) tho still small so maybe that made the 3 month possible. Wishing you the best with your pulm appointment and hope you can get a sooner scan!

I so agree with edive and Karen! Yes, on scans being anxiety-provoking. I often think it increases a few weeks before to 2 weeks or so after depending.... I hope you're being seen at a national cancer center or will schedule with one as a second opinion. You likely could do that telehealth if all your reports, notes and imaging is sent prior. I hope you get answers you trust and are comfortable with - meaning feeling accurate.... I too have several bilateral ground glass opacities. Most were not there in 2015 and 2016 though two were and those are deemed stable. All but one of the others are now deemed scar tissue, possibly early stage ILD (autoimmune). So they are still watching 3. Had two scans in 2023, one in July and next will be longer. It is important to distinguish whether multifocal (whack a mole possible then as edive indicated) or metastatic which gets back to chemo as an important part of treatment - which you've also had....

Glad you found this site, Therese! Indeed there are long-term survivors of small cell.... Sure hoping Larry continues responding as well as he has. I like Tom's idea of meeting with a radiation oncologist too!

Just want to send support, PattyAnn! I'm glad you're on this site - you're aware now of all the information and warm support here. Hopefully you've explored some other threads you can relate to as well. I agree on getting into therapy for added support and coping while you're going through this- can be very helpful!

Welcome, Wanda! Glad you've explored some posts. Combined with Lou and Edive's I hope it continues becoming clearer you are in a very good starting point catching things so early..... Wishing you well with surgery and recovery-Please keep us posted. Sending positive energy your way....

Sending support to you and your father, Alex! I know the difficulty of supporting family through cancer.... Your dad is lucky to have you even while this is difficult for both of you in different ways. I hope you have supports for yourself too. Make sure to take care of you during this time too - as best you can - I realize things suffer so I think in terms of "adequate" for such times....

Sending support, Diana! That was a long hospital stay! Agree with the others on early stage and treatments will offer you more "insurance." Wishing you well and please keep us posted......

Yes, I gathered more involved and glad Lou was able to provide info.... and yes on the waiting.... so difficult! Again, keep in mind talking with your PCP about adding Vistaril (aka Atarax) or Buspar as an adjunct to Xanax IF that is appropriate for you - both of those meds can be taken prn as well. Vistaril helps calm ruminating though is more sedating (depends) during the day- it's an antihistamine..... used as an antianxiety med as well.

I'm back to Karen's suggestions then of getting in touch with your team about other causes though also recommendations that can help....

So edive's feedback reminds me some of when I had more of an xray (more involved than that) guided biopsy prior to my diagnosis of preinvasive breast cancer. It was not a CT though I bet there are similarities. I know I didn't feel a thing as far as the biopsy itself went- they numbed me up very well. It was the hard table (neck turned to one side for too long and ribs on the hard table) that were painful. I knew to be as still as possible while they worked to get the sample they needed. It was over with before I knew it....

I have not had that experience and don't know anyone first hand that has had that for lung cancer. Hoping others will come along soon with some info. Just want to send my best as you proceed with biopsy, whichever version you undergo.....

Absolutely amazing and miraculous! You are a miracle!!! So thankful you're willing to share these specifics, pics included... so helpful and hope giving....

Just sending support... I'm being monitored for adeno though not diagnosed at this time. My two sisters had lung cancer though small cell so very different situation. I'm assuming my dad's was adeno tho that was 1975 so not germane to now.... I agree with your friend having a frank discussion with docs, asking them to be very honest (b/c not all are) about pros and cons as your friend expresses their concerns about treatment. Maybe that leads to treatment and maybe that confirms your friend's concerns. I'm a firm believer in people having as much info as possible so they can make decisions they are most comfortable with regarding treatment, type(s) of treatment or no treatment....