bluemax14 Posted October 30, 2005 Share Posted October 30, 2005 The Chamberlain procedure is what I was scheduled to have last Wednesday. I was under the impression the surgeon would just make a small incision in my chest and put the scope thru it. when I took the bandage off 2 days later I could see that the incision was 3 inches long. I haven't been able to see the surgeon to talk to him about this. Does anyone out there have any experience with this procedure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted October 30, 2005 Share Posted October 30, 2005 Yep... The Chamberlain Procedure is not the same thing as a Mediastinoscopy. The Mediastinoscopy involves an incision at the base of the throat, a scope is inserted, and the doc can look at the central structures of the chest. I have had two of these, and I call the resulting scars my "Sub-Chin-Grin". The Chamberlain involves making an incision off center in the upper part of the chest (my incision is only 2.5 inches!). They do this when they are trying to see areas of the chest that are away from the center and in the front of the chest. I had a great deal of internal scarring from my first two thoracotomies so this procedure was not very effective in allowing my docs to view those parts of the lung/chest they were most interested in seeing: The Hilum. I had the second Mediastinoscopy and the Chamberlain Procedure (AKA Right Anterior Thorascopy) at the same time. They are used to look at different areas of the chest. PS...Blue, just between the two of us, three inches IS a small incision as far as Thoracic surgeries go. Honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemax14 Posted October 30, 2005 Author Share Posted October 30, 2005 Thank you Fay for the reply. I was thinking maybe the knife slipped when he cut me! did you have stitches or glue. Mine looks like he glued it back together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted October 31, 2005 Share Posted October 31, 2005 I wish I could have had the glue! It is my understanding that there is much less chance of infection setting in if the docs can use the surgical glue to close the incisions. Here's to hoping you heal quickly and completely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemax14 Posted October 31, 2005 Author Share Posted October 31, 2005 Would you believe I was wrong again? I went to see the surgeon today and he said he did use stitches! I couldnt see them because the skin is rolled up over them. the skin is rolled like a scott towel, but only the size around of a pencil. He told me the cancer was stage 3, not good news but I guess not the worst. I'm still waiting for an appointment with an oncologist.We don't have many to choose from in this small city. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyoung20 Posted October 31, 2005 Share Posted October 31, 2005 Where are you located? Maybe it would be possible to go to a comprehensive care center and get them to send a treatment recipe to whatever oncologist you are going to use. Don't sell yourself short. The best treatment, I feel, is vital to success. You have to believe you are getting the best treatment. 2nd opinions are a must. In other words, do it right the first time--you don't want to have go backwards with treatment. Good Luck with everything and I'll be praying for you!!! Sorry to be so abrupt but when I was first dx. there were some things that should have done but we didn't know any better. I don't want to see anyone make the same mistakes because it is all so overwhelming. GOD BLESS!!! Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 Blue, Then leave your small city and go elsewhere for treatment! I had my surgeries at hospitals located 3 to 4 hour drives from where I live. Once a month I went to a hospital located 800 miles away in order to be able to receive an experimental drug in a clinical trial with the hopes it would keep my then Stage IV Lung Cancer at bay for a while. Start thinking about how to get elsewhere for treatment. It could mean the difference between long term and short term survival. And if you'll share where you live we can search for a large comprehensive cancer center. Lots of Stage III patients are found to be acceptable surgical candidates after evaluation at large cancer centers where many lung surgeries are done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 Blue, One more thing. Even if you really are not a good surgical candidate it doesn't mean there are not valid treatment options for you. I know too many long term Stage IIIers to believe there isn't very good to reason to be hopeful. Did your docs say what kind of NSCLC you have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemax14 Posted November 1, 2005 Author Share Posted November 1, 2005 I live in Jonesboro Arkansas, 70 miles north and a few miles west of Memphis Tenn. Which might be worth looking into. I called the surgeons office today. and talked to his nurse. She set me up with an appointment with a medical oncologist for November 9th. I really wonder why it is taking so long to recieve any kind of treatment. If this thing is growing and spreading I'm in trouble deep. I can't even ask for a second opinion for treatment because I haven't recieved a first opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyoung20 Posted November 1, 2005 Share Posted November 1, 2005 Bluemax, I am in Memphis. We have a wonderful comprehensive care clinic here called "The West Clinic". It is closely affiliated with M.D. Anderson. So, the treatment recipe would be what is best for you. Vanderbilt is also an awesome facility. Let me know if I can help you. My onc. is great. He saved my life and there is no waiting. GOD BLESS!! Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 I don't know anything about Memphis, but Dr. Carbone at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville is considered to be one of the top 5 Lung Cancer Specialists in the Country. And Vanderbilt University is a major medical facility. It is probable that there would be more treatment options available to you there. I mention this only because I noticed that you have other health issues in addition to the Lung Cancer, as do I. This impacts the treatments available to us, and it is usually better for us if we are seen at major medical centers where there are specialists who can assist us in treating our other medical conditions while undergoing treatment for Lung Cancer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemax14 Posted November 2, 2005 Author Share Posted November 2, 2005 Thank you Jamie for the reply. Do you know any oncologist that specialise in lung cancer? I would appreciate a name and phone number if you do. I looked at your profile and see that you like playing pool. My wife and I have a pool table in what used to be our back porch. Converted to a room. It's not a big room and we have to use some very short sticks for some shots. Afraid we are not very good either. By the way I see that you and lots of other survivors are quite young. I just passed my 73rd birthday. Would like to hear how others of my age are coping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyoung20 Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 The doctor's names is Arnel Pallera. He began his career in hematology and now specializes in oncology. Lung cancer is his field. There are other oncs. there that also deal with lung cancer. The West Clinic is wonderful. A very welcoming environment with many nice and caring people. The number is 901-683-0055. Let me know if you need anything else. I am so glad that I could help you. GOD BLESS YOU!!! Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemax14 Posted November 2, 2005 Author Share Posted November 2, 2005 Thank you again Jamie; I have the name and number written down now and will give him a call soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyoung20 Posted November 2, 2005 Share Posted November 2, 2005 Great!! Your welcome!!! GOD BLESS!! Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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