Merrilee Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 Boy - I don't know why I haven't found this site before. Here goes: In November of 2001 started having left neck and jaw swelling. Doctors sent me to dentist after dentist's. Finally my D.O. decided it was something else and ordered a cat scan of my jaw. Arrived at a Ear Nose and Throat Doc. He said you don't need to be here you have lung cancer. But I hurt in the jaw. Found out later that sometime a tumor will present in this fashion . Next question is why don't people know about this sign? They tried to do a needle biopsy but couldn't get to mass . Thank goodness. I still believe that the cancer would have spread if they did that. In my home town no one would do a PET Scan on me.. So ended up in St louis and got one. HOT . Surgery in Jan. 2002 - Still no signs of problem with cancer. Have found lesions in the brain that they can't decide whether or not I have MS now. Funny thing was in docs office last month and three of the other lobectomies in the room were having same MS symtoms. Found Adeno non small cell. stage 1a. They say i'm at a good place. Does that mean i'm cured or is a time bomb waiting to go off again. I really have done well- but fatigue easily and ache on the right side. My therapy has been to travel. Were not wealthy people but since this dx my husband have saved up for two big trips a year. Just got back from Costa Rica . Wonderful time. Trying to live life to fullest . Funny how your priorities change. Thanks for the forum . Sometimes it just nice to find a place to talk. Merrilee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 Welcome, Merrilee! Glad you found us. If you are Stage I, you have a great chance of being clear "forever", but in some cases, it does return. I would say your chances are very good. Glad you and hubby are taking the trips you want. We have been to Costa Rica, and enjoyed it a lot. I still order coffee from there. Best to you. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 Welcome, Merrilee, Glad you found us. Stay with us and keep us posted. Ask away--many here with lots of experience, knowledge and support. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trish2418 Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 Welcome, Merrilee. Glad you found us and glad you're enjoying those trips! Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 You are very fortunate your cancer was caught early. Welcome to the site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelepal Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 Welcome! Glad to found us it's a wonderful place.. Michele Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GracieJules Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 I was being worked up for MS when they found the LC. Keep an eye on it. gracieJules Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missyk Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 Merrilee... Welcome to this wonderful place!!! (And WOW! another neighbor!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaze100 Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 Hi Merrilee, Welcome. Your story about swelling in neck and jaw indicating lc was very interesting. I'd never heard that before. There is so much to learn here from others experience and everyone so friendly & helpful. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrell Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 Welcome!! Very glad you found us. Look for others who have the same thing. There are tons of friends here who will be more than willing to help you. Darrell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 Merrilee... welcome. You have a very good chance for a cure. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 Merrilee,welcome to our support family.You will find many knowing and caring people here.Glad you found out early and were persistant in finding drs. to scan you and help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 Welcome! You are over 4 years survivor! Great news. Most people don't have any early symtoms of lung cancer so your jaw pain was a blessing. I had shoulder pain because the tumor was up in the apex under my collar bone. In that area nerves and blood vessels pass and also the pleura ( lining of the lung) is close. Was yours up in the apex? Just wondering if yours wasn't one of us who got the tumor close to those nerves. Tumors in that area are called Pancoast or Superior Sulicus tumors. Best wishes , glad you found us. Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tatlyn Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 Welcome Merrilee!! Lynda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhutch1366 Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 Welcome, Merrilee! XOXOX MaryAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 way to live your life!! glad you found us. xoxo bunny PS. I went to Costa Rica in Feb. 2005, amazing, isn't it!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 Merrilee, Welcome and congratulations on your fourth year. Enjoy the trips. Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda661 Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 Merrilee: Welcome -- you are already teaching ME things I didn't know! I am pretty new here, but I am sure you will find this group the best for info. and support. XOXO, Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 Hi and welcome You are so lucky they caught your LC early. Only 1 in 4 people are operable. I know you will be fine and C free. Glad you found us. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 Hi Merrilee, big, warm welcome to you! I have heard of neck and jaw swelling as an early sign, but you are the first I have "seen". Also under the eye was the other part of what I remember reading many years ago when my brother was going through l.c. I would look for syndrome in myself and never saw it, so I thought I was clear of l.c. ha! I didn't know how uncommon it was. Well, now I do. I am so glad that you are on your way to more and more travels. I think your priorities are terrific. Can hardly wait to see where you will go next. Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geri Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 You and I started off with this cancer thing at the same time and here we are over 4 years later and still going strong. Nice to welcome another survivor to this little family. Geri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolhg Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 Welcome Merrilee, You are fortunate to have found the cancer early, it is most curative at that stage. Prayers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teresasuesan Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 We went to CR last May, and we had an amazing time. Initially, bought a lodge vacation on Ebay, but ended up spending time on both coasts. I live to travel, and I am always searching for deals. Glad you enjoyed it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethluvswill13 Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 Welcome Merilee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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