Phoenix Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 Greetings, all! I'm a newbie... a CAT scan taken at the end of February showed a grape-sized mass in my Mom's lower right lobe. PET scan on 2/27 (results communicated 3/1) confirmed it is "active", and therefore probably cancerous. Mom's lung specialist wanted the lobe removed by the end of that next week (3/12), but the surgeon ordered a ton more tests to ensure there was no evidence of a metastasis from another spot & that she was strong enough for surgery. So now we’ve got a list: blood work, pap smear, bronchoscopy, colonoscopy, mammogram, x-ray, and a cardiac stress test. All but the colonoscopy should be complete by the end of this week, but it may take yet another week for the results of the bronchoscopy. We’re looking at over a month in between finding the mass and deciding on a treatment plan! Is this typical? I am terrified! I thought that we are in a race against a metastasis, and it is taking so long to even get to a plan for what we’re going to do! I’m sorry if I sound panicked, but I AM. I would be grateful to hear of your experiences with how long it takes to get tests ordered, taken, and obtain results – and if anyone has any suggestions as to getting them done more quickly. Thank you so much ~ Phoenix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanCarl Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 Phoenix, That amount of time isn't all that unsusual depending on what kind of cancer it is. If it is Non-small cell it is a very slow growing type of cancer and there is time to make sure of the diagnosis and to map out a treatment plan. Small cell type cancer is more aggressive and therefore quicker action may need to be taken, but you still have some time and getting the diagnosis correct the first time out is VERY important. I had the first hint of something wrong on Sept 26th, 2003 and got my final dx on October 26th, exactly one month. Like you my first reaction was "get it out ... NOW!" I know this is a scary time for you but try to be as patient as possible. Getting an accurate dx for your Mom can mean all the difference in the world when it comes to beating this. Dean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy RN Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 I agree with Dean when it comes to being patient. I am wondering also why it is taking so long to decide what type of cancer it is. The only way I know they can do that is a biopsy. With me I had a chest xray on a Fri. that showed a ?? spot. I had a CT that afternoon that showed a few other ?? spots in other places. On the next Mon. I had a bronchoscopy to get a sample. On Wed. I saw the Dr for the diagnosis from the bronch. which showed small cell lung cancer. On Thurs I was admitted to the hospital and more surgical biopsies were done on the mediastinal area and I had a port put in while I was asleep for the upcoming chemo. I also had all the reg tests, bone scan, PET etc done. I stayed thru the weekend and first dose of chemo started on Mon. So from the first hint that something was wrong til the first dose of chemo was 10 days. A VERY LONG 10 DAYS. I would encourage the Dr to hurry up with the biopsies so you know what your mom is dealing with. Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NellW Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 Our close friend was dx the last of Jan. and is still waiting for treatment. Lot's of tests and therapy (pulmonary rehab) ordered by the surgeon. Surgery will be a week from Friday if all goes well. Still a couple more tests to get results from. Heart tests, and biopsy on thyroid nodule. It's nerve wracking for sure! Praying for you and your family! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail Posted March 18, 2004 Share Posted March 18, 2004 My tumor was spotted on March 19 and surgery was April 24. And there was a lot of tests inbetween. Hang in there-we're here gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted March 18, 2004 Share Posted March 18, 2004 Well I guess we're the exception. My husband was told on a Tuesday that he had lung cancer (even though they had only done a chest x-ray they were pretty sure). The next day he had had a CT, biopsy, and his first radiation treatment all within 24 hours. The reason this happened so fast for him is that our family doctor passed the schedulers, called the doctors directly and told them to move him along to the next step. We are very fortunate we had him in our corner looking out for us. Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted March 18, 2004 Share Posted March 18, 2004 Hi Phoenix, I agree that it always helps when you have a doctor who simply picks up a phone and talks to another doctor...you are suddenly scheduled for scans, probes, blood tests, stress tests and tests you never dreamed existed back to back. Just try to stay calm, but stay on top of it. Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets oiled. And remember you have a whole pool of support behind you here. Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eileen Posted March 18, 2004 Share Posted March 18, 2004 Hi ---mine was a little less than a month between finding and surgery--- first I had the cat, then a needle biopsy,- when that was positive, then I had all the bone scans and the head MRI----, then saw the surgeon, then had pre-op testing---so I think about a month is normal. It does take time to schedule all the tests as well as get results I know you must be impatient, but the testing is necessary---I rememebr before I had my surgery, I was nervous but wanted it out now!!!! good luck to you and your Mom, I am hoping for good test results, and please keep us posted- best wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhutch1366 Posted March 18, 2004 Share Posted March 18, 2004 Hi Phoenix, I was getting the first hint of cancer in an xray the end of March, had a CAT scan to confirm within 3 days. April was a succession of tests and consults, with surgery originally scheduled the first week of May. I know I wanted the darned thing OUT!! but the doctors wanted all the facts first. Hardest waiting of all, waiting to start doing SOMETHING about the beastly interloper. I counsel patience, knowing how hard it is. Time for distractions -- books, movies, talking to friends, I ate a lot of steaks (treated myself). It is hard but necessary to allow yourself to be distracted from focusing on the cancer. Attitude is everything, and it sure helps to keep you otherwise relatively healthy and nutritionally in good shape before you start any therapeutics or surgeries. Hang in there, the time will pass... it always does. XOXOXOXOX MaryAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted March 18, 2004 Share Posted March 18, 2004 Hi Phoenix,I was diagnosed with cancer April 29(day after my birthday)and had surgery June 23 with lots of tests and scans in between. Hang in there.Prayers coming your way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted March 18, 2004 Share Posted March 18, 2004 HI- They found my tumor the week before Christmas, '01. Surgery was 2/22/02. Lots of tests and worrying in between as I stumbled around in a fog. If you can possibly speed things up, do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy Posted March 19, 2004 Share Posted March 19, 2004 Phoenix, I know this may seem overwhelming at the moment, especially as you have hardly had time to recover from the shock of it all. Just try to take deep breaths, ("Snowflake" will tell you this too,) and try to slow down and take a day at a time. This will help you help your Mom fight this awful disease. Prayers for you, your Mom and all the family. Paddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix Posted March 19, 2004 Author Share Posted March 19, 2004 Thank you SO MUCH to each of you. Your responses are reassuring and have very much helped me to catch my breath, slow down and work to be patient. I have learned one of the reasons it is taking so long is that my Mom was diagnosed with COPD about three years ago. Her lung function is very poor (medical term = “severe”). If this is the only location, surgery would be the treatment plan of choice with no follow-up chemo or radiation. However, the tumor is located in a healthy part of her lung tissue, of which there is little remaining. Her lung function would be reduced even further. Therefore, if there is any evidence of cancer in another location, they do not want to risk the surgery. If surgery is the plan, the surgeon is not planning to biopsy, but immediately remove the mass and surrounding tissue. I do not know why he is not planning a biopsy: thank you for raising the question that I may pursue this! And thank you also for the advice to be a “squeaky wheel” – I will definitely do so! Finally, thank you so much for the emotional support you have all provided in both encouragement and prayers. I am so thankful for this site – being able to read about others’ experiences and receive counsel is a Godsend. Thank you all for being such a blessing. ~ Phoenix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.