Ann Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 When you find out that someone has lung cancer what advice do you give? A contractor that we do work with, who I conside a good friend, just told me he has been told that his doctor "thinks" he has cancer. results are a bit indecisive, as first he was told there was something there and then that they thought there was nothing. Now, it turns out that the "nodule" that was 5 cm a month and a hald ago is now 8 cm. I advised him to stop "playing" with family doctors and call MD Anderson immediately for a second opinion. I tried to do this in a very "non-panic" mode but I was really worried. Is there anything else I should or shouldn't have said? Anyway....please say a prayer for Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daggiesmom Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 I think you gave him great advice. That's a fast growing cancer (5-8 in on month) and could be small cell. That was perfect what you said. Only thing else he can do is get that appointment fast, take notes when he goes and go with a relative/friend to the appointment. Prayers for Dave. Joanie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 Ann you did the absolute right thing. SO MANY PEOPLE GO INTO DENIAL WHEN THEY HEAR THE C WORD. A former customer of mine i learned from talking to him that he has SCLC not that i could'nt tell by his new bald features that he had been getting chemo. Anyway i thought i was being helpful when i told him he had the most dangerous form of Lung Cancer and he had to really fight hard as it was a long tough road. Well he avoid's me pretty much now as he believe's he has beat it and i hope he has but the hard fight part i think upset him so now i leave it along and hope he's right ....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 I think you did the right thing to get him to get a second opinion. The man needs to go to a good oncologist right away and start some treatment on it soon, if it is cancer. I don't think it has to be M. D. Anderson, but he certainly needs to go to a good oncologist in his area. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted November 8, 2005 Author Share Posted November 8, 2005 Don...I recommend MD Anderson to anyone in this area. Dennis was a patient at the MD Anderson in Orlando and I can't speak highly enough of their entire medical staff. The treatment Dennis and I both received at Anderson was so wonderful. The doctors have a very positive - let's kick butt - attitude. The Orlando facility is only about an hour and a half from Palm Bay and I consider them to be well worth the drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 Praying for Dave. He trusts you with this enough to confide in you, Ann. Maybe follow through with a note of encouragement? Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 I just had the same thing at work with one of my employees. They are watching a nodule-- I told her about the same thing and to ask about a PET scan to see if it would light up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 I did not know about M. D. Anderson in Florida. I thought you were talking about the one here in Houston. Since the one you recommended was in your area, I think that is fine. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eppie Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 Advising someone is always hard to do. If there is one arguement I want to win it's the one where someone is able to live better or longer. You did good, Ann. I hate second guessing myself. So I think getting a second opiniion is good. Prayers to Dave! Eppie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 Ann you did great. I did that recently to someone who had a cancer scare (not lung). I said "I do not want to be pushy or butt in, so you can tell me to shut up, but this is what I would do and I am only saying this from experience with my mom." And I went into the steps of gathering all records, keeping copies of scans, getting into a surgeon and oncologist, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 Ann, You did right, he told you about himself, so he was looking for an answer or a push in a right direction and you did it. Good for you and him. J.C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 No question about it Ann, you did the right thing. I hope he takes your advice. Prayers sent to your friend Dave. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 You are a good friend, Ann. Glad you are one of our friends, too. P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolhg Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 I think to encourage a person to get the best medical help available is the right thing to do. If they do not take your advice as it was intended you still know that you said/did the right thing. Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 I think you did just what you needed to do ! I was recently in a similar situation :My brother- in-law had an abdominal CT Scan last month- his doctors (general surgeon) office (the nurse) called and told him the abdominal scan was fine but they did see a spot in the lower lobe of his right lung and they would like to re-scan him in 3 months......click......It toatlly freaked him out-he called the office back the next day with questions for the docotor-no return call...I suggested he go back to his PC who had referred him to the general surgeon (for abdominal pain)and talk to him- he did and was sent immediately to a pulmonologist- Who by the way says that the spot that the lesion is in is not a place where he has ever seen a malignancy so they will rescan him next month just ot compare size..... With everything I read on this site and given what Racehl went through the past two years I will ALWAYS encourage people to seek out a second opinion when dealing with anything supsicious on thier lungs!!!! More info than you wanted- sorry for being so long winded!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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