Deb IL Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 My name is Deb and a friend was recently told that she has lung cancer. If all the scans PET and CT of head are clear they will do a lobectomy on Tuesday. Any suggestions to help her with recovery? Also what questions to ask the oncologist? I've learned with my mom having pancreatic cancer that asking questions and researching treatment options before hand makes the doc visit a little less stressful. I'm so glad that I found this site. Also, noticing some shorthand and not quite sure what some of them mean. Thanks for any info/advice that you can give. Thoughts,prayers,and hope, Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrell Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 Hi Deb, I'm glad you found us, but I'm sorry you had to. We're here to help you. The first week or so after being diagnosed is a confusing, roller coster and strenuous time on your nerves and body. Everyone here will tell you to ask all the questions you can. What type of cancer is it? What can I expect from the treatment? What treatment can I expect? If Chemo, what kind? What side effects? If radiation? How many treatments? Having a lobectamy tells me they caught it early and it's not small cell (I could be wrong). Doc thinks he can get it from surgery. Probably following up with chemo/radiation. Your body will change. This is a life changing experience. Don't read any of the statistics. You be your own statistic. The one that goes into remission, lives a long happy life and can help others who have gone through the same. OH, don't forget to ask God for a little help. You'd be surprised. All the best to you and your friend. Love, Darrell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sakell76 Posted November 2, 2006 Share Posted November 2, 2006 Deb- Sorry to hear your news but I am glad you have found this site. Welcome. Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb IL Posted November 2, 2006 Author Share Posted November 2, 2006 Thanks Darrel for the info. Yep, a dang ole' kidney stone may have saved her life. Found the lung nodule from her CT scan for the kidney stone. That's gone now but this nasty ** has grown. It is atypical in shape for either cancer or a benign thing. I do know that atypical is a good thing with cancer from my mom's experience. I do hope and prayt that she doesn't have mets so that surgery is an option. I know with my mom(pancreatic cancer) how lucky she is if surgery is an option. Nothing worse than statistics and no hope! Been there and done that. Sounds like you've had a rough year with some positive things thrown in. I'll be writing down the questions for my friend to ask and I'll also give her and her husband this site. Thanks again for your helpful info. Thoughts,prayers,and hope, Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb IL Posted November 2, 2006 Author Share Posted November 2, 2006 Thanks for the welcome. Sorry about you losing your mom to this disease . My mom is a 1 year pancreatic cancer,stage 4 survivor. I say survivor b/c the doc's told us 3-6 months a year ago. Thoughts,prayers,and hope, Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j's girl Posted November 2, 2006 Share Posted November 2, 2006 Deb, welcome! I hope everything works out for your friend. My Mom had surgery and it took a lot more out of her than chemo and radiation. Mind you, she had her entire lung removed but regardless, it's a big surgery. Mom ended up with pnemonia because she didn't get "the stuff" in her lungs coughed up. She said that she wished she would have tried harder from the start. So if nurses tell her to cough, it's important. They'll likely want her to get up and moving shortly after surgery too and that's important as well. I've heard that of all our muscles, lungs have a very short "memory". If they are not exercised they forget how to work. Hope all works out well. Shauna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chloesmom Posted November 2, 2006 Share Posted November 2, 2006 Hi Deb, Just wanted to introduce myself and tell you that I'm also a survivor from Illinois. Had a lobectomy in June of 2003. Where is your friend being treated? Are you in the Chicago area or downstate? I went to the University of Chicago and highly recommend them. Anything I can do, just give a shout. Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernrol Posted November 2, 2006 Share Posted November 2, 2006 Welcome Deb, Your friend should ask all the questions she can think of. She should have some one with here to take notes and be a second pair of ears. After all the test and they give the results, I always recommend a second opinion. Even if it just confirms the first diagnoses, it is well worth doing and most insurance companies cover it. Most of all it is important to stay positive and pray a lot. Keep us posted. Stay positive, Ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolhg Posted November 2, 2006 Share Posted November 2, 2006 I had an upper right lobectomy in July 2005. Be sure to use that spirometer. If you do not know what it is you will by the time you get out of surgery. We all hated it at first, but DO USE IT! Drink lots of water. Do not let yourself experience a lot of pain before you seek relief (pain medication). Do eat properly. I experienced serious indigestion. Doctor said it had nothing to do with the surgery, but other people who had the surgery also had that problem. It helps to eat small amounts at a time instead of a large meal at a time. Be kind to yourself, rest and above all remain positive. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raindog Posted November 2, 2006 Share Posted November 2, 2006 Hi and welcome Deb, I hope things go very well for your friend. My very best thoughts and wishes to you both, -Rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted November 2, 2006 Share Posted November 2, 2006 First off, sorry about your friend. I know the anxiety of finding out that distressing news. But at least your friend is able to even have an operation. She is very lucky as only one in 4 is able to have the operation. I don't know her staging so I can't comment on if she will need chemo or not. Usually if an an early stage IB to IIB they recommen adjunctive chemo which is just for preventive purposes. With more advance staging it is usually manatory to have chemo. But I said usually, I know peoole who did not have any. But if it is recommended she should defintely get it done. My husband also had a lombectomy of his upper left lung. The surgery is painful, so make sure she has some good meds to take to help her through it. My husband was fine with it. Make sure she does use that spirometer that will help expand her lung capacity. Some people think of it as the dreaded thing, but it is very important that she use it every hour. She should just rest and drink plenty of water. She must not dehydrate. After they take out the tumor they will probably take out some lymph nodes to test them to see if it spread of not. That is when they will actully get her staging. It is all doable, she just has to use that spirometer, drink plenty of water and liquids, eat meals in small invtervals and get plenty of rest. Take little walk around the house. Also you may want to buy her one of those squishy pillows to hold on her chest if she has to cough. A friend of ours gave Joel one and he loved it and use it. It really did help. I pray your friend will be alright and that the Cancer was just contained to that area on the lung that they removed. Lucky for her she had an Xray for a different reason. That is how they also found my husbands. Good luck and keep us posted. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cherylh Posted November 2, 2006 Share Posted November 2, 2006 Hi Deb I am new here too but wanted to let you know that I will be praying for your friend. Keep us posted Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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