Leeb1217 Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Hello. My name is Lee. I'm a female. I have recently been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma right lung and also of a lymph node between my lungs. I am going to consult with doctor at UIHC IN IOWA CITY tomorrow to discuss treatment. I'm pretty scared.I am still recovering from a hysterectomy and oophectomy where a a very large mass was removed from my pelvic area. It was borderline. I just went back to work on light duty after being off for 6 weeks. I'm a cook at a rehab center. I'm worried about my ability to work while undergoing chemo or radiation. This sucks. Any ideas? THANKS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Hello Lee Welcome. I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. Did they find the lung cancer because of testing they did for the pelvic tumor? You sound as if a plan has already been set for Chemo and radiation? I started with that treatment. Mine was tough. It was worth it. I am still here. Please let us know an update. How you tolerate the treatment has a lot to do with which drugs they use and what type of radiation. I had radiation daily for weeks. My friend this year only needed 4 days with the latest type. Keep us posted. Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Lee, You have got a lot going on! Please do discuss your ability to continue working while having radiation and chemotherapy with your physician. I was unable to work during my first line [first sequence of treatment] radiation and chemotherapy primarily because the radiation sapped all the energy from me. I was able to work during second line [second sequence] and third line [third sequence] chemotherapy but needed to take a couple of days off during the middle week of my three week cycle. But reaction to radiation and chemotherapy is different from person to person. Some people breeze through but others do not. You won't likely know how you'll do until you enter into treatment. As for ideas, here are some: 1. Make arrangements to have someone take you to your first several treatments. You may not feel well enough to drive after your treatment. 2. Wear warm clothes to your sessions. For some reason, they keep radiation and infusion treatment areas very cold. 3. Bring something to read or a smartphone or tablet with internet capability. Most treatment facilities have WIFI and reading and internet connection help to pass the time. 4. The chemo nurse will go through all of your personal history before your first infusion. Ensure you reveal all the medication you are taking and have a complete listing of all of the things you are allergic to. In fact, so many people will ask for medications you are taking, that I find it helpful to keep mine as a "note" on my smartphone. I just bring up the note and hand it to the nurse. If you don't have a smartphone, write or type a list of your medications and keep it in your purse. 5. Depending on the type of chemotherapy you'll receive, you may be prescribed a pre-treatment course of steroids. These may make you very hungry so if the session extends over the lunch hour, bring a substantial packed lunch. If not, bring snacks because you will be hungry. You'll have many more questions and this is the place to ask them. Here is a good source of information about lung cancer that you may find helpful - http://www.lungevity.org/about-lung-cancer/lung-cancer-101 Stay the course. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeb1217 Posted November 7, 2015 Author Share Posted November 7, 2015 Thank you Donna and Tom for the reply and the tips. I am going to have 40 treatments of radiation Mon-Fri for 6 weeks. I will be given two types of chemo . Cisplatin on the 1st and 8th day and then they will repeat. Then Etoposide, Mon - Fri every 4 week x 1. It is a 128 mile round trip from my home to the clinic, so driving back and forth every day is a real burden. Working is going to be out of the question. The American Cancer Society provides lodging for cancer [patients at a nearby facility, named Hope Lodge, where I can stay while receiving treatment although there can be a waiting list, so because I am insured under an Iowa Medicaid type of coverage, it will pay for up to 60 days of lodging that I could utilize if necessary. While in consultation yesterday with one of the oncologists, he stated he would be ordering an MRI to get a brain scan, prior to beginning treatment. I just got a letter from my employer today stating that the company paid life insurance was cancelled as of Oct.31. I have no other. This is all very overwhelming. I am doing my best to stay positive, yet it is wearing. Everyone keeps telling me I need to be strong and fight, and I know that I will. Where did your strength come from when you felt the weakest? I believe in God, but I'm not good at praying, mainly because I don't like asking for things. Been that way all my life. I figure if God means to provide and or bless us, he will do so. So, I'm leaving things in his hands. Thanks for listening. Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeb1217 Posted November 7, 2015 Author Share Posted November 7, 2015 Oh, by the way Donna, in answer to your question, yes they found the lung tumor while testing due to the pelvic tumor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 So glad they found that lung Cancer with the tests. I had the same chemo ! VP 16 is Etoposide. , Along with that the Cisplatin and daily radiation M-F for 6 weeks. Then surgery , then more of that chemo. I pray your tumor responds as well as mine. Keep us posted. Donna G Leeb1217 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 Lee, For me it became fundamental: treatment or death. Choosing treatment meant choosing life. I also realized I had a choice about my attitude toward life and treatment. It took me awhile but I found a way to enjoy myself during treatment. Not everyday, but most days. I looked for little things to enjoy throughout each day. As for God, I prayed to be satisfied with His will. I tried to do my part and relied on God to do His part. Looking back, my attitude about treatment and outcomes was essential. Stay the course. Tom Leeb1217 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeb1217 Posted November 7, 2015 Author Share Posted November 7, 2015 Tom, thank you for sharing your perspective, or retrospect if you may. I'm hanging in there and hopefully I will be able to find some joy along this journey. You seem to be a wealth of information and personal experience. God bless you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeb1217 Posted November 27, 2015 Author Share Posted November 27, 2015 I've had 6 chemo treatments and 7 radiation treatments since 11/17/15. So far so good, I have only been nauseated/vomiting once and it was a day and it was due to taking the chemo in pill form over the weekend instead of intravenenous. I'm just speculating. I've noticed a lot of swelling in the extremeties around the knees and ankles. I'm having a hard time sleeping due to the steroids given prior to the chemo. My appetite is healthier than I would like, but I'm told this will pass. I've got a 3 week break from the chemo and then will do another 6 days of it at end of December. Radiation every day Mon-Fri thru Jan. 4. I am staying at the American Cancer Society "Hope Lodge" in Iowa City, IA. It's a beautiful place filled with hope. I get to go home weekends and spend time with my family and pets. I'm hoping this all works in my favor. Have a healthy and happy thanksgiving all. ~LeeB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Lee, So you've noticed the 'roid rush. Sleep was hard but trying not to eat everything in the house was harder. Swelling was a side effect I also encountered. This should be the extent of your chemo treatment side effects. It should because almost every cancer patient I've known reports a "repeatability" factor with chemo side effects - once they set in, they stay the same and even occur at the same day - time after infusion. Radiation however will slowly start to affect your stamina and energy levels. I've heard good things about ACS lodges. Glad your experience is a good one. Focus now and tell yourself this treatment will work in your favor. Expectations are a part of the treatment attitude and you must wear the mantle of success. So put it on: your treatments will work in your favor! Stay the course. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CindyA Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Hi Lee, Welcome to the LCSC message boards. Wow, you have a lot on your plate. I read where you mentioned that you are worried about work. Cancer and Careers is a great resource for people in the workforce. Here is a lionk that I think may help you. http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/at-work/Back-to-Work-After-Cancer Also, aside from our message boards LUNGevity has a wealth of information on their website as well in the survivor resource center. Here is a link to that section http://www.lungevity.org/support-survivorship/survivor-resource-center Please let me know if you have any questions about any of our support resources. I look forward to your next update. We are here for you. Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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