10drum Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Greetings, I am a 62 year old male. I live in South Central Illinois. I had prostate cancer removed in April of 2013 at MD Anderson. All went well, lymph nodes and margins were clear, it was good news. I was back at MD Anderson for my annual follow up and we went to St Luke's for cardio screening and a spot was found on my right lung. I had no symptoms. MD Anderson removed the upper lobe of my right lung in June of 2014. Stage I, adenocarcinoma, lymph nodes were clear. They have given me a 70% chance that it will not return in 5 years. All in all I feel extremely blessed, however I worry constantly. Spring is coming and the last two springs have been terrible, so I worry about "what's next?" I am hoping to connect with others who struggle with the same fears and perhaps get some direction as to professionals in my area who can help me with my fears. There are many options available at MD Anderson for support, but they are in Texas. A support person at MD Anderson pointed me to this web sight. I will watch these forums, and thanks for all replies. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Sounds like perhaps needing to go for follow up for prostrate cancer may have saved your life ! Stage one lung cancer with no symptoms could have become much more of a problem if it had a chance to progress. . I went to the doctor for pain, I was stage 3B. I had chemo, radiation, then Right Upper Lobe removed then more chemo. The good news is this all started on Dec. 3 1997. Here it is Feb 24 2015 Cancer Free and reading your message. Phil keep us posted. Any problems after the surgery? Have they scheduled a follow up CT? Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10drum Posted February 24, 2015 Author Share Posted February 24, 2015 Donna thanks for the reply. I am a Shell Oil retiree and they are the ones who sent me to MD Anderson for my prostate, they paid for everything except transportation and lodging. We rented an apartment for a month for each surgery. The Cardiologist at St Luke's is who found the spot on my lung. Shell pays for the heart hospital and children's hospital as well. I really feared the surgery because the prostate surgery was so much worse than what I anticipated, so I expected the worst, but actually it was a cake walk when compare to the prostate. I had a little bit of a cough and I still have some congestions. Yes, I went back for a 3 month follow-up cat scan in October and all was clear (knock on wood), but mostly I thank God. I go back every 6 months for I think 3 years and then annually for 5 years. I tell people I am living 6 months at a time. My father had prostate cancer and my mother had the same lung cancer I had, then she developed bone cancer, so naturally I worry a lot about what's next, but when I hear stories like yours it really warms my heart and gives me hope. Thank you so much!!! Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadbelt Belle Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Very understandable that you are wondering, 'when will the other shoe drop?' Hope my story helps you a little: At age 51 I had stage IV colon cancer (adenocarcinoma) with mets to the lung diagnosed in 2005. I never smoked, no symptoms until I felt like I had bad allergies or breathing trouble. Was told I'd probably only have a couple of years at best even with colon surgery and it was too much to work on the lung too. Well, lo & behold, I responded well after the initial surgery and 3 1/2 years of chemo which made the tumor in the lung shrink. There was then a renewed promise that a lobectomy of my upper left lung could be possible. That was done in 2009 with another 12 months of chemo. This week marks 5 year anniversary since last infusion and 5 years of clean CT scans!!! It's scary and a lot of pain during the journey. But yes, it's normal to wonder if you'll ever be 'normal' again. Maybe better than before because you'll enjoy life to the fullest. RKL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CindyA Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Hi Phil, I hear scanxiety is very real. Do you have any hobbies that you like to do that may help to take your mind off of the "what's next" at least temporarily? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 I feel like the odd man out now casue I am not cancer patient but a former caretaker!!! welcome to the place no one wants to be but is glad they found... Lots of support and knowledge..... keep us posted on how your doing!!! glad thye found the bugger (Cancer) when they did and now to KILL THE TUMOR!!!! A fave Mantra of mine. "Die Tumor Die!!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10drum Posted March 2, 2015 Author Share Posted March 2, 2015 Thank you so much for the words of encouragement. Cindy, I can relate to scanxiety. I think I'm suffering from that, along with cabin fever. Yes I have hobbies, I restore old British motorcycles. I have one I've been working on complete and I am waiting for the weather to improve so I can roll it out and test run it, but we have snow on ice, on snow, with more coming, so it may be awhile. I was a electronic technician for 35 years and have opportunities to go back to work on contract, but it will involve travel & I don't want to work 50 to 60 hours a week. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 THAT IS AWESOME!!! Wow!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diane flynn Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 Hello...nervous but optimistic. ct scan feb.25th showed upper right lobe of lung 4mm x 10mm spiculated nodule. Surgeon says "gold standard" lobectomy (mar.23 uw Madison, wi. hospitals.) Said lymph nodes on ct scan look fine. IF cancerous, he said probably a stage 1a adenocarcinoma. Input?? Suggestions? (other surgeon said a wedge.) -Diane also very very nervous about going under Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10drum Posted March 13, 2015 Author Share Posted March 13, 2015 Diane, I sent you a PM. Just to let you know, I was so scared before my surgery, because the year before I had my prostate removed and the recovery was worse than I had anticipated. The lung surgery was a cake walk compared to the prostate. They did the surgery late in the afternoon and I did not get to my room until 11pm. The next morning was sort of tough, but after that I was up and around just fine. I didn't loose any weight (lost 20 lbs with the prostate surgery), I had a mild cough for about 8 weeks, I walk a couple of miles a day without any issues. As I said above I do worry, that's why I'm here. Don't hesitate to contact me. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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