chloesmom

Congratulations on your surgery and your quit smoking anniversary! In a few days, on the 20th, it will be my 6 month anniversary since surgery. I quit smoking on May 21, almost 7 months ago, the night I got the phone call from my doc with the bad news about my CT scan. We've made it this far and we're feeling good!!!!!!! Cause to celebrate, don't you think?

I had a lobectomy in late June of 2003 and adjuvant chemo August-November. My chemo was cisplatin and gemzar. I did not lose all of my hair but did have a lot of thinning that did not stop until about a month after the chemo. My energy level improved dramatically about 2 weeks after chemo ended and after one month, I felt totally normal again for the first time since diagnosis. Hope this helps......

Cathy, I have not had two surgeries, but I did have chemo after surgery. My chemo started about 8 weeks after surgery. I could have started earlier, but had plans to be out of town, and oncologist said it would be ok to wait 8 weeks. Chemo sure isn't fun, but it's doable. My advice would be to stay hydrated and to be faithful to the anti-nausea meds that are prescribed. I really only had a couple of days where I could not function, but mostly continued to work full time. Also, get plenty of sleep---I thought I could fight that and that if I kept pushing I would just eventually start feeling better--that is not the way to do it. Be good to yourself during chemo--it just goes better if you don't push yourself. I hope this helps.

Marisa, I agree with Fay--please don't shoot the messenger. I am a stage I who had surgery in June and just finished adjuvant chemo yesterday. It has been a long haul, not at all pleasant, but doable, and I am glad that I decided to take advantage of the chemo. I had cisplatin/gemzar 3 times and gemzar only 6 times. I am thankful that this was an option for me because, from what I understand, it was not even an option for Stage I people before this summer. I think that this is a personal decision--I wanted to know I was doing everything possible. After about a month passes and I am totally over the chemo and its effects, I will be taking selenium, a cox 2 inhibitor, and an antioxident. I hope that you remain disease free--- chloesmom

FYI- I'm getting gemzar right now--am just over the halfway mark with gemzar and cisplatin. In total will be getting 3cisplatin and 9 gemzar. I have not had very many side effects from the gemzar. Don't feel so great for about 3 days and nothing tastes quite right, but I am taking the Zofran and not sick enough to miss work or anything else I want to do for that matter. I feel lucky though, even the cisplatin is not terrible with the anti-nausea medication...don't feel really myself for about a week, but that's about all. I am a stage 1 person taking chemo to hopefully prevent recurrence. I'm sure that also makes a difference in my ability to tolerate these treatments. I hope this helps.....

Sandy, Way to go girl! Congratulations! Celebrate!

I found that when I got home from the hospital after surgery, it was most helpful if my husband helped me get up and down. He would take my hands and help me pull myself up off the couch or chair. Those muscles that get cut are the ones you use to lift yourself, and they are really sore for a while. I also slept on the couch or in the recliner for the first week I was home. It was easier to breathe if my head was slightly elevated. She may also need some assistance in shampooing her hair--I did, or getting in or out of the shower or bathtub. Also, it is very, very important that she practice with the spirometer--every hour during the time she is awake. That will definately help her conquer the shortness of breath problem. Also light activity is good--several short walks in the driveway, on the sidewalk, etc. can be built upon every day. Stairs might be a good idea as soon as she is ready. I know that when I went back for my first post-surgery check up which was 10 days after my release from the hospital, the surgeon said to really push the walking as much as possible. So I did, and I have all my "wind" back now--it feels really good. Good luck--she will be fine, and is lucky to have you and all that help.

Sandy, I hope you do good--I'll be rooting for you.....

Cheryl, Congratulations on finally being able to have your surgery scheduled. I know that I could not wait to get that awful tumor out of my body. I was absolutely terrified, but I had the epidural for pain relief and when they got that calibrated correctly, I did just fine. Was not on a ventilator when I woke up--doesn't sound like you will be either. Just had oxygen in my nose. Did have the IV, catheter, ekg all that while in intensive care the first night. Try to get up as soon as they want you to. I think that was the beginning of my recovery. I was only hospitalized for 3 nights. First several nights I slept on the couch because it helped me breathe when my head was elevated, plus it was so much easier to get up. If your husband can help you get up that is even better. Take the pain meds. My surgeon said there is no extra credit for enduring pain, in fact it just delays healing. I was on the pain medication (tylenol with codeine) for 2 weeks after I got home. Back at work in 2.5 weeks. I wish you the best of luck--you're young and otherwise healthy--you should do fine.

Connie, So glad you're home--now you'll really start to feel better.

Gina, Congratulations on an important milestone. I just passed the 3 month mark myself, which is a biggie for me. I quit the second that I hung up from that horrible phone call telling me that my CT looked bad. Only time it really bothers me now is when I get up in the morning and pour that first cup of coffee. Otherwise, I know that I can't smoke anymore and am actually glad that my husband and I have both quit. I know this isn't an issue with you, cuz you're a tiny thing, but the weight gain situation is not good. Plus, I'm taking chemo and losing weight through dieting while taking chemo is a big no, no! I too get a kick out of your posts--you have a great attitude. I hope you stay with this board for a long time.

I also have pain and tingling on my entire left side, including my left breast. There is numbness off and on, and the bras I wore before surgery just won't do anymore. I also had breast cancer on the same side two years ago and although the breast healed quite quickly, the lymph node surgery aftereffects (numbness, tingling, sudden pains that went away just as quickly) stayed for quite some time. I did finally go to Victoria's Secret and buy a really great bra. Plan to get some more when I do decide to wear bras regularly again. But yes, my breast is numb, tingly, sometimes sore, especially at night when I am trying to sleep and roll over. Hope it goes away, but again, if that's all there is after that big bad surgery, I feel lucky. I'm 2+months out of surgery now.

Kristy, I'm taking chemo right now--it really doesn't seem to be causing me too many problems. First, while you are getting your treatment, the nurse will inject anti-nausea drugs right into your IV. You will leave with anti-nausea drug prescriptions or maybe even some free samples. I was instructed to take them before bed that night and for the next three days whether I thought I needed them or not. I did that, and while I wasn't really interested in doing much, I was not sick. I also am continuing to work full time and take care of my dogs and my house. My husband is a big help, but I've been doing yardwork, mowing the lawn (trying to build up that lung capacity), and basically whatever I feel like. I think I am tired more and require more sleep, but that's ok too. I was not able to get my treatment this past week because my blood counts were too low, but that happens all the time, and there is nothing I can do about it. Chemo was not required for me, but I wanted some extra assurance that I'm doing everything I can to fight this. I hope your mother takes the chemo--it's not nearly as bad as it may have once been. I think that one of the most important things during chemo is to drink water and more water. You get really sick if you let yourself get dehydrated, and it helps to move those drugs out of your kidneys and the rest of your system if you keep pushing fluids. Good luck to you and your mom.

I am almost through with my first full cycle of chemo. My protocol is cisplatin/gemzar on week 1, gemzar only on week 2 and 3, and then a week off. We will do this 3-4 times. I had blood counts too low the other day to get my last gemzar of the month, so I have to try again next week. Guess you have to be ready to roll with the punches, but as far as sickness goes, I had mild flu-like symptoms the first weekend, and nothing the second weekend. I also have not lost my hair and am told I will not with these two drugs. It sure isn't pleasant, but it's not so terrible either. I just try and think of all those drugs flowing around my system destroying anything bad that may be in there and I can handle it very well. I also think that during chemo you should get extra rest, but I also work full time and really haven't missed much work over this either. Good luck, my thoughts are with you....

Hi Kristy, I am a 47 year old woman who was also diagnosed with NSCLC in June. I did have surgery and am now going through chemo. I have found so far that chemo is fairly tolerable. I take the anti-nasuea meds as they direct, and seem to be pretty ok. I was disappointed last week that I didn't get to have my chemo because my platelets are too low and this would have completed one full cycle. But, I am to see the md next week and get a cbc. If my counts are ok, they will treat me then. I think that people have had good things to say about the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. I have no personal knowledge, but you will find a lot of input on this message board. I also am seeing a therapist and taking anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications. This I believe has been the most helpful thing for me through this whole mess. I am not on strong doses of anything, but I am capable of working, which is something I could not even bring myself to do prior to seeking help. That may be a good thing for you and for your mother. It just helps. Good luck to both you and your mother. My thoughts are with you.

There are many, many Stage II and higher long term survivors here on this board. As far as prognosis goes, no one knows that, so why even ask? Estimates are just that, estimates. Also a lot of that information is outdated and, your brother is young. That definately is a positive. If he is otherwise very healthy, that is a positive. I think attitude plays a big role in survival. He should recover from surgery very easily, if chemo is required, he should tolerate that well. Remember a lot of lung cancer patients are older people, and may have other health issues too, such as cardiac, etc. All of that information must be taken into consideration when prescribing chemo and performing surgery. I do hope that he has a medical team that takes an aggressive approach to this, though. And, as far as "how long does he have", I read an excellent post on that the other day right here on this board. I wish I could remember who, or on what forum, but the idea was--how long do I have? Till the cows come home, till pigs fly, as long as I want, and a few other well-known expressions. There are survivors from every stage of every form of cancer. I wish your brother all good luck, and am happy that he has a sister with such great concern. You will be a comfort to him, and that's your job.

Donna, I feel bad for you and the other folks who have received less than good treatment. It's bad enough to be sick, but to be lied to and treated by uncaring, disorganzied so-called professionals is uncalled for. I went to the University of Chicago for my surgery and consulted with the oncology department there. My surgeon is not the friendliest person I have ever met--I feel that he just totally lacks people skills, but that is not important to me if he fixed me. I do have to say though, that the rest of the people I had contact with at U of C for clinic visits, surgery and aftercare, and the consultation with the oncology were helpful, kind, and extremely efficient in managing our time. All appointments were, within reason, kept on time. They tell you to plan to be there for such and such amount of time for your visits. I think the place is great and would highly recommend it to anyone. The only reason I am not taking chemo there is that a local oncology practice with a good reputation is within walking distance of my home, and I don't care to drive to Chicago 3 weeks out of 4 for the next 3-4 months. Please try to find new doctors--it's bad enough being sick, you don't have to be treated badly too.

Gina, Well said, you are so right.......

Hi Patty6, I also welcome you to the board. I am an early stager as well (1B) and I don't care if you whine. This is tough, no matter what stage and size of tumor. I am 47 years old, and while I see a lot of people who are survivors on this board that are a lot younger than me, but I still think I am too young to go thru this..... I also whine because I was just through all this with breast cancer two years ago, again stage 1--had surgery and radiation, but no chemo. This time, I am going thru chemo because I want that extra insurance that may keep me on the right side of the survival rates, and so far my chemo (cisplatin/gemzar on week 1, gemzar only on week 2 and 3 and off a week for 3-4 cycles) is not too bad. Like Gina, I get nervous every time my mammogram comes up, and I also have a chest x-ray coming in late October that is already on my mind. Welcome to the group--I have learned so much from these good people.

I had the upper left lobe of my lung removed on June 20. I was hospitalized for three days and had an epidural for pain while I was in the hospital. I was sent home with pain pills and weaned myself off of them by the 4th of July. Yes, the surgery is rough, but it seemed for me, the worst thing was the chest tubes. I spent the first night in intensive care and then was moved to a medical surgical floor where the first thing they did was insist I get up and walk. That seemed to begin my recovery. I started feeling better when I started moving around again. Shortness of breath was an issue at first, but it got better every day. The chest tubes were removed the day I went home and after that, I steadily improved and was back at work full time (desk job) in 2 1/2 weeks. I am a 47 year-old, otherwise very healthy female. I hope this helps--what I'm trying to say is the surgery is tough, but recovery seemed quick for me. Doctor said I needed to increase walking and activity every day to get back the lung capacity. I did and feel very happy with my progress. Good luck to you........

Thanks for your responses. I did talk to my onc about this at chemo on Thursday, and she thinks that it may be a reaction from a little golf trip I took right before chemo started. It didn't feel this bad when I came home, but she says with that major surgery, cutting through muscle, nerves, and all that, I may have broken some adhesions with my swinging a club (a lot). She gave me muscle relaxers and I am taking tylenol for pain. Hopefully it will go away soon. As if there aren't enough aggravations with chemo anyway.....

Has anybody experienced the same kind of pain that they had in the hospital after their lobectomy return once chemo started? I feel worse today than I did when I came home from the hospital...and it seems to be muscle type of pain. If I could immobilize my left arm, it would be a lot better, but I know that is not the right thing to do. Back to this when I was totally pain free from the surgery. I have call in to onc's office and am waiting for a callback now. Wondering if it's the chemo drugs, the anti-nausea drugs, or what the heck? My husband has to haul me out of bed--I can't do it myself..... Any insight anyone?

Cathy, Sending prayers your way for your dad and your family. Chloesmom

Had first cisplatin/gemzar chemo treatment Thursday. Felt great Friday. Sat morning woke up with flu-like symptoms (tired, achy, nauseated, etc) Same thing on Sunday even with the anti-nausea meds, which i had faithfully been taking since the treatment. Spent weekend alternating between bed and couch with poor husband trying to do anything he could to help, but it just has to go away, I guess. Better today--hope it's not like this every week, but if it's for the greater good, it will pass.

Hi Muriel, I am a new member, but have been watching this board for a few months. Had upper left lobectomy on June 20 to remove a 3.1 cm adenocarcinoma. T2N0M0 is my status right now. Two follow-ups with surgeon included clean chest x-rays ( ...don't have to see him again for 3 months. Consulted with 2 oncs (one at university where I had my surgery and the one I have had for past two years because of an early stage breast cancer that did not involve any chemo). Both recommended chemo because of the newly shown significant survival benefit. I did not hesitate to agree to the chemo, except that I am feeling so fantastic right now---I am walking two miles most days, playing golf again, riding my bike and was back to working full time 2 1/2 weeks after surgery. But, I have to know that I'm doing everything I can to keep this away for good. I had my first cisplatin/gemzar treatment today and am armed with anti-nausea meds (3 to be exact) and immodium AD. Right now, so far so good, but not taking any chances. Drinking lots of water and will be taking anti-nausea meds before bed and as directed for 3 days.