Hi

[Coco22]

Hi hope everyone is feeling well. I was diagnosed with stage 1B adenocarcinoma in 2020, with atypical adenomatous hyperplasia throughout the remaining 5 lobes. I get scans every 6 months  with no other treatment, does anyone have advice how to cope with this.

[LouT]

Hi  Coco,

Welcome to our forums.  I'm glad to hear that your scans have been good (no other treatment needed).  Can you be a bit more specific as to your question?  Did you mean coping with ongoing scans, fear of recurrence or the disease in general?  Once we have that we can better respond.

Lou

[Coco22]

Hi Lou,

Thanks for responding. I fear the other nodules in my lungs will grow and spread and if I should of had followed up with chemo. My mom passed a few months before my lobectomy. She was diagnosed and died in less than 2 months. Coping with the fear of recurrence is my question.

[Justin1970]

Hi sorry to hear your going through this it really is scary times I was diagnosed last August and when I had my first scan after treatment I was very disappointed as it had only shrunk a bit but the oncologist said it was great news, I think we all worry about it spreading mine recently went to my brain and that put right back to the beginning of this journey, you will get through this I had to have antidepressants and it really has helped, goodluck with everything and take care

Justin 

[Coco22]

Thank you Justin for your response, stay well.

[LouT]

Coco,

Most nodules (~60%) are benign so let's have the doctors determine which nodules are the malignant ones and then you should discuss this with them.  Some studies were just done on early Stage 1b and higher lung cancer and it was determined that adjuvant treatment with add-on chemo to surgery may produce some lower incidence of recurrence, but you need to remember you and your case are unique and not all people that had the adjuvant treatment did not have recurrence, but this would have been something you and your doctor would decide together.  If the tumor was small enough, no metastasis, and margins were good, the doctor likely decided that you met the criteria for a "surgery only" treatment.  Btw, you spoke about the "5 remaining lobes, I'm assuming you had a lobectomy and that would leave you with 4.  Normally we have two on the left and three on the right.

Now, how to get on with it.  I had a lobectomy in 2019 (lower-right lobe) and did not have any follow up chemo.  I also had other irregularities in my lungs (mild COPD and a nodule or two) and these are examined at every scan.  The way I deal with the fear of recurrence and (ultimately) dying is to accept and be grateful for the fact that I was diagnosed so early (Stage 1a) and the surgery was successful.  I also came to terms with the fact that this could recur and I decided to take advantage of the life I was given to do good for others.  I am active in Al Anon, an Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group, and contributing what I can here on Lungevity.  I also work at and support community food distribution and fighting domestic violence efforts.  It's a busy life, but a rich and rewarding one.  In my case these activities give me a good sense of purpose and satisfy a need in me.  They also make me very grateful for the life I've been given and I intend to live it until I can't.  You see...worrying constantly about the future robs us of the present and does absolutely nothing to improve the life we are living.  Giving in the present fills us with all good things and enriches our future.  Please take the time to find your purposes...it could be painting, photography, music, donating time, grandchildren...then immerse yourself in them the way a child dives into a cool pool on a hot summer day and you'll be surprised how good you can feel.  Eat healthy, move (walk, yoga, etc.) and look to the future for opportunities to do more of what is meaningful to you.  If you decide to do any of this we'd love to hear how it works out for you.

Lou

 

[Coco22]

Hi Lou,

Thank you for your response, your story is amazing and you are right I should stop worrying and find something that gives me purpose. I am currently in nursing school and when I graduate I do want to volunteer my time. I am grateful this was diagnosed early. Thanks again .

coco22

[LouT]

Coco,

You're most welcome.  I have a soft spot in my heart for nurses.  My mother was one and my sister and one of my daughters are also nurses.  You'll soon be in a position to touch so many people at a time in their lives where they need it the most.  That's a wonderful gift to have.  

Lou