Lori51 Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 I'm just dx with malignant tumor in my left lung with "some" lymph node involvement....whatever that means. Next step is a PET scan this Tuesday to see if there's mets to anywhere else. The CT scan showed my right lung clear and what they could see of my liver, clear also. I guess the PET scan will tell more. Friday I have an appointment with the surgeon. I'm only 54 and thought I was healthy. The tumor was discovered on an xray for a dislocated shoulder! My emotions are fluxuating between mass hysteria and denial.....healthy one day...life threatening illness the next...it seems too much. Any advice would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Lori- Welcome to the family. You are so fortunate that your cancer was found early. I hope the PET shows that surgery is possible for you. Once you have the scans completed let us know what your stage is and the treatment plan. The beginning is scary...it will get easier. Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Hi Lori, and welcome! You are in exactly the same spot MANY of us found ourselves...................healthy one day and then the next, well................... So, first off, know you can come here for support!!! For now, try to just take it one step at a time. You are still in the 'discovery' phase, and that IS difficult, for sure. You need to get all your facts and all the info from the docs and scans. Then you must learn all you can. Educate yourself about what you have. Also try to come to terms with the fact that your life WILL be different. It still can be a good life, but you gotta let go of having it just the way it was before. That will cause lots of unnecessary frustration. This week you will learn more. Then you can start your own discovery. Try to take deep breaths and proceed one step at a time. Many more folks will be along with pointers for you. For now I hope it helps that you know you will never be alone from this point on. We are here.......always. Be sure to keep us updated as things progress. That allows us to help you better. Good luck this week. Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Welcome Lori, Glad you found us. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joanie55 Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Hi Lori, Welcome. It will get better, once you receive your exact dx and have a plan of action. Having that plan really helps. It will help you focus instead of just having that feeling of panic. There are better treatments today than ever and a reason to be optomistic. Looking forward to getting to know you better and hope we can be lots of help. Joan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Hi Lori, Denial is a built in gift. It keeps us from going totally insane! It is our friend in so many ways. Don't push yourself beyond your capabilities. I am so glad to hear that you consider yourself a healthy person! Yes. Healthy people will tolerate treatments so much better than those who are not. This is in your favor! It sounds as if your lc may have been discovered at an earlier stage. This is also a very good thing. I was discovered in a later stage, Lori, had lots of treatment with chemo and radiation and I am still around 3 1/2 years later with no recurrence! How about that! There is HOPE! Try to find the good in everything. Try to put a positive spin on everything that comes your way! That really helped me to get through. Lots of people survive lc. There is nothing written that says that you can't too! Come here often. oh. By the way. We have contact persons in different parts of the country to buddy up with if you wish. Where are you located? Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Welcome, Lori! Sounds like it may be good news. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Welcome Lori: my first tumor was found out by accident too. I had the exact same feelings as you. Hopefully, they will shoot for curative treatment and it will be gone. It is no fun, but the only thing that one can do is look to the next step and do it. You have my best wishes. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger C Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Welcome Lori, I know exactly what your feeling. In one minute your whole world changes. Keep your spirits up and see what your doctors decide for treatment. You attitude and knowledge of your decease play an important role. Keeping posting and keep us updated. God Bless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Hi Lori , Welcome. Not many people would be glad to have a dislocated shoulder but perhaps you should be! There are no early symptoms so it is a blessing that you were tested for something else and they found it. Hopefully soon you will come back and tell us what treatment plan is in place. Did they do a biopsy to find out what kind of tumor it is? I hope you have a notebook and a close friend or relative to go with you to these appointments. It is all so upsetting , it really helps to take notes and have an extra set of ears. So much to take in! Waiting to hear how it is going, Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myrnalu Posted April 23, 2006 Share Posted April 23, 2006 Hi Lori, my tumor was found in the er also.I went because of dizziness.Believe me I was as scared as you are.But luckily i found this board and found that i wasnt handed a death sentence.There are so many treatments today and surgery.I have had radiation and chemo and may be getting surgery after my next scans. we will help you all we can marie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda661 Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Lori: Just want to say welcome here, but sorry you had to find us. As you can see, there is a wealth of support and knowledge here for what you are facing. I really can't offer more than what Ry, Kasey, Joanie, Cindi, DonM, (that's just where my memory stops at what I read) and others (ooh, Donna G, I think.....survivor extroidinaire among many here) have already said at this point, but know that I (and soooooo many more) are here to support and help you along the way. Best starting advice: never let fear get a hold on you.....inform yourself as best you can and ask lots of questions, plus vent out those emotions when necessary -- you're gonna' do just fine. This dx is survivable and you have found it early, it sounds. Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErinC1973 Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Lori, Welcome, and I guess it was a good thing you needed an x-ray. I do hope that your PET scan shows limited involvement--it sounds as though you are very on top of things even if right now you feel as though you are in denial... I am sorry you have to be here, but am sure that you will find this place to be an invaluable resource in the coming time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Lori,welcome to our support family.There are many knowing and caring people here. The beginning of all this where you are at now is to me about the worst part of it.All the uncertainty and fear seem to become better after all the initial tests are done and you know what exactly it is you need to do and accomplish and begin fighting it. There is life after lung cancer for many,many people contrary to all the common beliefs.It is usually different than before and you will adjust to what most of us call a new normal. There are many here that will answer your question and help you along the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Hi Lori, I am so sorry for all you are going through the uncertainly is the worse. If they caught it in an early stage which they may have since you had no signs then it is possible that it is operable. Only 1 in 4 cases is. I will pray that is your case. We have all walked in your shoes be it the person with LC or the caregiver. We know how scared you are. It is very very important that you know that LC is NOT a death sentence. There are so many treatments out there now, and if you are able to be operated there is a good chance they can get it all. Take deep breaths and try to relax till we see what exactly what is involved here. Please keep a positive attitude as that is half the battle. Get ready to put on those boxing gloves and fight. You will win this. Thank G-d you had a shoulder injury!! We are always here for you be it for support, prayers or just questions you may have. There is a wealth of infomation here as our members have been through almost everything. Take care honey, prayers sent to you. Keep us posted. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori51 Posted April 24, 2006 Author Share Posted April 24, 2006 I am so grateful to have found this site. I can tell it's going to help me tremendously; the support of others who have been there before you makes so much difference. My PET scan is Wednesday.....not Tuesday as previously thought. Just want to get on with it; I have this nagging fear that every day that goes by without doing something is causing harm. Every little ache and pain I have scares me. I need the rubber mallet.....or at least a key that I can stick in my ear to turn my brain off!!!! I need to get with the lingo....not sure what a lot of the acronyms stand for. How do I start a bio for myself? Thanks everyone who responded and thanks for putting up with my long posts. Writing seems to help. I now have a whole new group of folks to add to my daily (sometimes hourly) prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelepal Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Welcome Lori, Sorry about you DX but I'm sure your going to find alot of support and info here..The People here are so educated so ask away anytime, and know theres nothing you can't ask.. Praying for good things!!! ((((HUGS)))) Love, Michele Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carleen Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Welcome Lori, Sorry you are going through this terrible time right now. I can understand your fear, and the anxiety that you are feeling. I too wish sometimes I could just shut my brain off. But try not to worry too much. I know that our fight or flight instinct has us all geared up to fight fight fight now now now. But a few days are not going to make a huge change of things. It is best to take the time to find out exactly what your diagnosis is so that the treatment you receive is one that is the most effective for your particular cancer cell type. You'd rather take a week extra in the beginning getting accurate diagnosis than spend 2 months getting the wrong treatment. As far as advice goes, I think a couple of people mentioned carrying a notebook to appointments or having a friend or family member go with you. It is so important because with all the anxiety you are feeling and all that you are thinking and imagining some of the lingo and discussion gets pushed out of our minds immediately after walking out the door. A second set of ears or accurate note taking is always helpful when looking back and for future reference. Also, it looks like your cancer was diagnosed fairly early, and I pray that surgery is an option for you. It is the best chance for cure. But, if initially your doctor does not suggest or feel surgery is possible, get a second opinion. It is so important to have that option, and too too many times I've seen people post here who were told surgery was not an option that turned around and went to a specialist or a larger comprehensive cancer center and were able to do surgery. Second opinions are so valuable. Plus if nothing changes, at least you have two talented minds working on your behalf instead of just one. Tell your onc that you intend to beat this beast, and you expect him to share that view and manner. If for any reason you don't feel he is in line with your goals, or you don't like or trust that he is treating you properly or aggressively, well then fire him and find another doctor. Too many doctors out there have terrible bedside manners and have become too jaded and have given up. Therefore they don't try as hard as they would if it was their life or the life of one of their loved ones. Never accept something you don't feel in your gut is right. There are PLENTY of doctors out there. You will be in my prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Hi again, Lori. In the upper right corner of this page there is a list of functions under LOG OUT, click on "my profile" There is an area there where you can write your history. You can change it anytime you wish. It will display under every post you make unless you prompt it not to. Hope this helps. Can you think of any acronyms specifically that we can help you with. Some of them are made up by our group members. Most are taken from somewhere else. Still glad you are here! Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trish2418 Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Hi Lori and sorry you had to find us. Take things one day at a time and try not to let your worries get the best of you. We're here when you need us. Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ztweb Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 You have a ton of support here. Get all the information you can, and lean on whomever you can to get through this. Life most certainly takes a turn when you get this kind of news, but know you have so many people on your side, and in your court. God bless. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elnodel Posted April 28, 2006 Share Posted April 28, 2006 Hi, Lori, Like the others, I'm here to welcome you to the site and, as they all said, sorry that you had to be here but glad you found us. I'll be thinking of you today as you meet with the surgeon. Let us know what the PET scan results are and what you and the surgeon decide. I'll be keeping all crossable parts crossed for you! Ellen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaffie Posted May 1, 2006 Share Posted May 1, 2006 Welcome Lori, I know the shock factor you speak of, by accident is how most early stages are found because there are no real symptoms to speak of. Mine was found while looking at the damage I had done to my neck while playing with my grand-daughter, we were doing somersaults. I hope they get you an accurate diagnosis and a plan implemented to get this stuff out of your body just as soon as possible. Kathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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