Dot

Hi Tbone- welcome to this site. I've found it very helpful last year when I was first presented with this horrendous diagnosis. I am 46, diagnosed last year with stage IV adenocarcinoma left lung, numerous lymph nodes. The stage was discovered at surgery- the surgeon made the decision to remove my left lung (and the lymph nodes). I had been in excellent health, never even had a cold and this whole thing was actually found by accident. I was a smoker but had quit years ago (15). I am not totally surprised that I ended up with it but like you, feel a little "cheated" getting it so young. I have not had any followup treatment (my own choice) and up until recently have had clear scans. The latest have shown some spots on my bone scan and my PET scan showed 2 areas uf uptake in my left upper chest. My onc. wants to repeat the tests in a few weeks since none of them seem to corrrelate with each other. All I can say is you learn to live day to day. Sounds like you're hanging in there- try to keep positive and as active as you can. TAke care-much support on this website. Dorothy

Hi- used to visit this site often last yr. after my diagnosis and surgery but stopped for awhile when the new format went into effect. I have stage IV NSCLC (adenocarcinoma), surgery was 5/29/02 left pneumonectomy. No radiation/chemo. (my own choice) and up until last week my follow-up scans have been good. Now Ct scan showed pericardial effusion (mild) and afew spots on the bone scan (ribs and knee). I am 46 with a daughter leaving for college in 2 weeks and another one getting married in 3 months. We are all quite terrified. I am asymptomatic as far as the pericardial effusion goes but my joints are achy. I did also undergo a total hysterectomy 5 months ago and there is always the possibilty of the bone business being degenerative in nature. Hope everyone there is hanging in there as best as possible- this is a wonderful website, since lung cancer seems to get swept under the carpet too often and ignored- we need to be there for each other. Keep positive and as productive and busy as possible- keeps you from losing your mind with this unpredictable illness!Dot