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I want the straight poop!


Guest MomOTwins40

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Guest MomOTwins40

Ok, here's what I want to know - Do people go into remission from late stage lung cancer (specifically 3B adenocarcinoma) and live long lives - without surgery? No one will give me an answer, not even my doctor! Should I be pushing for surgery? Can I go into remission and never have another recurrence? Is it possible? Please, someone give me the straight scoop!

Thanks,

Veronica

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Dear Veronica,

I am not a doctor, but two very reputable medical people told me that patients can have a "complete response" (none of my doctors ever use the term "remission") from chemotherapy treatments without surgery and live a long life. One doctor was an "oncology fellow" working with Dr. Chandra Belani who is a top specialist in NSCLC at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The other doctor is a thoracic surgeon with St. Joseph's hospital in Atlanta. Now, having said that (and believing that) I have often also read that the "cure" for lung cancer is through surgery.

The truth is that no doctor really knows what is going to work for a particular patient. After all my experience with doctors and lung cancer and chemo and radiation and having asked the same questions you are asking, my advice would be to seek out a top thoracic surgeon who specializes in lung cancer to get an exact read on your case.

I was always told my tumor was inoperable but in the end, it wasn't. I am still recovering from my surgery--they weren't able to take the whole lung or even a lobe. Instead I had a segment of my right lower lobe removed and radioactive seeds implanted. Dr. Rodney Landreneau at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center performed this very delicate surgery. I go back for a check up in July. Time will tell if this is working.

Please take care and keep asking questions.

Good Luck,

Ada

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Guest MomOTwins40

Thanks for your reply. Can you give me advice on how to find a good thoracic surgeon who specializes in lung cancer? I live in Columbus Ohio so I'm guess The James and OSU is probably where I would go. What do I do? Just ask my current doctor for all my scans and records and then make an appointment there? Thanks for all your help.

Veronica

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Dear Veronica,

I did a little research for you. I have a book, America's Top Doctors, that lists top doctors by specialty and region. I didn't find anyone in Columbus or at the Cleveland Clinic specializing in lung cancer surgery in the book. Of course that doesn't mean that there aren't top doctors in this specialty at these locations, it just means that they didn't make it into this particular book.

One doctor from Columbus is listed as someone with special expertise in Transplant-Heart, Coronary Artery Surgery:

Dr. Robert Michler

Ohio State University Med Ctr

410 W 10th Avenue

Doan Bldg N847

Columbus, OH 43210

614-935-5502

You might want to call his office and ask who they refer lung cancer patients to.

When I first started researching for myself, I came across this book. I think I also typed in "thoracic oncology" in my search engine on the internet. That's when I learned about the University of Pittsburgh Lung Cancer Center. We called and made an appt. for a second opinion with a medical oncologist, Dr. Chandra Belani. I was able to get an appt. within two weeks and because of the way my insurance is set up, I didn't need a referral. I am lucky because my health insurance covers all of this. Also, I keep copies of all of my scans and copies of the reports for my own files. We traveled to Pittsburgh (from Atlanta) and found out I wasn't a candidate for surgery. Eventually though after 1 1/2 years of treatments in Pittsburgh and Atlanta, we were again referred to a thoracic surgeon by Dr. Belani and this time they said they would try to perform the surgery. I had the surgery in January.

In Pittsburgh they do a number of procedures for lung cancer patients. They do radiofrequency ablation, cyberknife, and regular surgery and something else that I can't remember.

This is not an ad for Pittsburgh by any means. It's a lot easier to see doctors in your own hometown, but it may be worth a trip in order to get a second opinion. Second opinions should be covered by your insurance.

I have found that I have to be my own advocate in this. Normally, I am not really very assertive, but I have become much more assertive through all of these experiences. I am fighting for my life and it feels good to take an active role in all of this.

Let me know if I have confused you or helped you. I am here to answer any questions you might have. Consider me your cheerleader Veronica.

Ada

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Guest MomOTwins40

Thank you Ada for all the info you have given me. I, too, feel like I need to do EVERYTHING possible to make sure I cover all bases. I am not a very assertive person either, but I'm going to get my courage up and mention this to my doctor on Wednesday. Thanks again and thanks for the cheers!

Veronica

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Guest patti_ann

Hi:

I am in the Cleveland, Ohio area and was treated at the Cleveland Clinic by Dr. Murthy who is associated with Dr. Rice, both of whom

are excellent thoracic surgeons. You might want to consider them as an option. I do not have any information regarding surgeons at OSU.

Pat

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Hi,

Well, I can say that I am a soon to be 8 year Lung Cancer Survivor of Adeno, Stage IIIB (WITH) surgery! As for without, I honestly don't know.

Yet, I do know of those with Stage IV that are survivors of 3+ years.

As for the doctor not giving you an answer I say: "GOOD FOR HIM/HER" Smart move on the Doctor's part! I say that because I'm guessing they don't honestly know anymore then we do as who will survive and who won't!!

Anything is Possible, however, I HONESTLY DON'T think this is something that is BLACK AND WHITE! Only because everyone is different. So, as for answers to your questions regarding survival, I say, only the man up-stairs has your answers.

There is NO time frame on how long any of us has or IF the cancer will return. God only knows! I know in my case, I'm pretty sure I shouldn't be here today, but I am!!! :):) And will my cancer come back? WHO KNOWS!! I have NO idea if it will come back!! And I don't think my doctor's know the answer to that either. Nor would I expect them to give me an answer to that question. They are doctor's not GOD! :wink:

So, from my humble opinion, there is NO STRAIGHT POOP ANSWER for your questions!! But, I sure would get a second, or third opinion if I wasn't comfortable with what I was hearing from my Doc's. So, this one is up to you my friend.

Good Luck.

Warm and Gentle Hugs,

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I am from Newark, Ohio, and have seen two different thoracic surgeons in the Columbus area. One is Dr. Tishko at Mt Carmel East and the other is Dr. Ross at the James. They are both good and recommended.

Neither would remove my right upper lobe because cancer has spread to my right lower lobe. So, they staged me at IV and I went through chemo and radiation. I have been in remission for two years. I live from scan to scan and am due for new scans the end of the month.

I honestly don't think the doctors can tell you anything but statistics. He is not God. Matter of fact, my oncologist always gives credit to God for my remission.

Good Luck and God Bless

Sue M

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  • 3 months later...

I don't know how old this post is but we live in Newark, Ohio. and when they found a mass in my s/o right upper lobe 4.5 cm big.... His step daughter worked at Grant and she did some checking and reccomended Dr. Esterline at Grant. He did my boyfriends surgery and removed his right upper lobe. We really liked him. Good Luck!!

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I can't give the "the straight poop" can only tell you what I have experienced. My dad was diagnosed in January 2001 with a 1cm tumor in his left lung and one met in his hip. He was 76 years old at the time. He underwent Chemo for 6 months.... Carbo/Gemzar and the tumor shrunk to a very tiny size (don't know exact)... He has not had any medication since then... just screened every 3 months (ct scans, MRI, blood) as a matter of fact, he gets his results today from his latest screening. His doctor keeps telling him "someone up there is looking out for you" because he has done so remarkably well. Yet, when he was first diagnosed and we went for our first onc visit - that same doctor told him, John, you will have many years ahead of you... so then why is he surprised he is doing well???? My reasoning for this - they honestly don't know all the answers and people respond differently - I wish I could give you a more definitive answer - but you seem like a strong person who is doing well and has an iron clad constitution to beat this thing. My bet is on you!!! Love, Sharon

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