Maryanne Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 Joel is going into the hospital to do a wedge section on his good lung next Monday. His Pulmonary doctor call him today. It seems the doctors will not take his wait and see. They want it out...period. Now even his pulmonary doctor agrees with them. I know this came from his Onchologist as he is the dominent one and he wanted this nodule out since it grew and also when they had their meeting last Wednesday, they all agreed it has to come out. We were the ones who wanted to wait and see along with his Pulmonary. Anyway, he has an appointment again with his surgeon on Thurs. I know that he would have to have this out eventually, so maybe we were just putting off the inevitable... There are a couple of good things (I guess) 1. it won't be around the holidays. 2. The are using the VATS and only taking a wedge section insead of a lobe. 3. His recooperation should be fast. We have a Bas Mitvah to go to on Sat. and he plans on going... We are just little confused as his surgeon last week said that they would do a VATS and take it out, send it to pathology and if benign that would be it , but if it is C, then they will take the lobe. Now they are saying that will not take the lobe just do a wedge. Kinda confused there Of course the wedge is fine, but would they get the margin if it is C....would he then need chemo???? Will keep you posted... A confused Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 Second opinion, Mar? They (both the surgeon and onc.) were telling me that I had recurrence. The onc. was dominant (like yours, I guess) and truly yelling at me! There was that inner voice that stood in the way knowing that there was nothing there. I saw the surgeon 3 times. The first time he saw the film, he was barely able to see what the onc was talking about. The next time I saw him, he could see it better. (same films) and the third time I saw him, he could see clearly that there were a lot of nodules..."too many to count", he said. Those two were in professional cahoots. My guts said "bull-oney!" That was over a year ago. I never had surgery. Every scan since then has been clear in that area. And this was from a so-called lung cancer specialist onc. and lung cancer specialist surgeon. They give lots of lectures to lc patients and their families, you know, drumming up business. Second opinion, Mar? (even 3rd?) hang in there, girl. It may be worrisome and may not be, but cutting is a big deal. Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 Maryanne: Everyone agrees there is something there. It doubled size in between scans. It shows marginal uptake. Obviously your oncologist is concerned that it may be cancer. If it were big enough to biopsy, I would want it out. I have read that a primary cancer does not have to be very big before it spreads to other parts of the body. I would make sure though that I knew exactly what was going to happen. If there is some confusion about how much lung comes out, maybe that confusion lies with the specialists too. Did the pulmonolgist say that Joel would do ok after a lobectomy or after a wedge resection? If it were just going to be a wedge resection, and there is cancer, I would ask for a second opinion. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 Well darnitall, Maryanne . I am sorry to hear Joel has surgery to look forward to again. On the otherhand.............good to get it OUT and move on, right? We're thinking of you guys and have only the very best vibes sent east to NJ. Love, Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted October 3, 2006 Author Share Posted October 3, 2006 There is no way he is going to go for a second opinion. These doctors saved his life and he trust them 100%. And Cindi, my friend, they were watching his nodule since last Nov. It was stable and they were not concerned. Unitl his recent CT and PET showed it double in size and had uptake in the Pet. Also Cindy, his lung capacity is 97% so he is a good candidate for being losing more lung. They just seem to want it out. Iam more concerned about the wedge. As the surgeon first said that they would wedge it analyize it and if it is Cancerous they would take the lobe. That is what concerns me if they just take a wedge would they get it all? We are seeing the surgeon again on Thurs and we will address that issue. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchurchi Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 Maryanne and Joel. I'm sorry all this is happening. I am hoping you are able to obtain all the answers to your questions when you see the surgeon. Alan and I will hold you both close in our prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 Sorry this is not the news you wanted, but at least he will get it over with. My dad just had a wedge resection with VATS and he did really well after. I can't answer your chemo question, but I can tell you his pathology report read the margins were clear, so they can tell that too. Keep us posted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mendy Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 I am so sorry you are having indecision amongst your medical team. Sounds like they have a plan at this point. If you feel that your thoracic surgeon is really good and has lots of experience with lung cancer, you have to let him call the shots. Your husband did well with the last surgery and since this is early you shouldn't have to worry about spread and they will be able to check the margins. They can't speculate beyond what they know and a wedge resection is standard for something small. I wish you both lots of luck for an easy recovery and clean margins. Mendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharonjo Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 Maryanne, Hope all goes well with Joel's planned surgery. I will keep you both in my prayers. God Bless, Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chloesmom Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 Hi Maryanne, It sounds to me like that mass really does need to come out of there. If it's bigger than it was before then it's got to go. Maybe this is what they are planning, and this is what happened with me. They took the mass(wedge resection) and sent it to pathology. They did a frozen section and tested it for malignancy. It came back positive and they then did the lobectomy. Had it been negative, they would not have taken the entire lobe, but a lobectomy is the preferable surgery if you have enough lung function to handle it afterwards. At 97%, Joel certainly can handle the loss of another lobe. I know surgery is not what you guys were looking for but with VATS it sure does speed up recovery time, and I'd sleep a lot better if I were you knowing that thing was going to be outta there. good luck, Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda661 Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 Maryanne: So sorry to hear about all of this with Joel. I can't offer any good input other than my thoughts and prayers are with you both. Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 M and J, I just want to be sure you guys know that I care, that I have you in faithful prayer and that I am sending all positive thoughts and support. Love P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geri Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 So sorry that you guys are facing this, Postive thoughts for a good result. Geri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolhg Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 Maryanne I am praying that all goes well for you and Joel. I certainly hope that this nodule turns out to be non cancerous. Prayers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 I'm very sorry to hear this.It does seem that all all agreed it should come out of there.It is very hard to have to go thru this but hoping they save his life again. Keeping you and Joel in our thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Maryanne, Prayers for you and Joel. I know this is a hard time for both of you. Hope his surgery goes well and that he recovers quickly. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 My prayers to you, Joel and to the doctors taking care of him. Love, Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamasbabygirl Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Sending prayers of love and strength for both of you-lots of them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 well doggonit anyway, Mar. I just hate that Joel has to go through this again. I just felt so certain that his first round of treatments was going to be it for him. (wishful thinking!) I am hoping for Joel that it will just be a little wedge. nothing more. Just rotten luck that something is showing.... Sorry guys. Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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