Surgery Tomorrow

[Aimee]

Well my RLL segementectomy is tomorrow. The waiting has been hard.  Most days I have done pretty well but today is going to be a struggle. I am kind of a wreck. Of course I am worried about what it will come back as even though the preliminary tests are relatively "good". But I am also worried about the actual surgery. I mentioned I had a stroke last year. I am fine from that but a PFO was discovered for which take daily blood thinners. I had to stop taking those on Saturday and am worried about that, etc. etc. etc. My neurologist doesn't seem too concerned but I am. 

Just a ramble, I guess but I am thankful to have this group to ramble to. 

[edivebuddy]

Waiting is the worst part of all this because your mind is free to imagine what it wants.  I've not had lung surgery but I've had plenty others and they all turned out way easier than I expected.

 

Good luck to you and May your recovery be wpeedy

 

 

 

[tgif i guess]

yea - tomorrow you will know so much more about where you stand and what the plan is for your fight

when i was caught obsessing on tests or waiting for results, i'd cook a buttermilk pie (or something easy) and deliver it to family, friends or the doctor's office

and no - i did not make the crust - i'm a nerd, not a cook

let us know how the surgery goes 

[LouT]

Aimee,

You're likely in surgery as I write this, but hang in there.  Know that many here are rooting and praying for you.

Lou

[Aimee]

Thank you all for the good wishes.  My surgery was yesterday morning.  My doc said I would likely be in the hospital for 3 days depending on the chest tube, etc.. However, much to my delight, they were able to remove the chest tube this morning, the chest xray looked good and PT cleared me so I was discharged this afternoon.  So far I have had no pain. Just Tylenol even in the hospital. this may change when whatever they numbed me with wears off. They armed me with stuff stronger than Tylenol if so. I have my spiromenter and and ready to tackle the recovery period. I am an active person so this will be a bit of a challenge.  

No pathology report yet. The doc did say the margins, etc. look clear but it all comes down to the report.  I will update when I know more in that regard. Of course I am nervous about that but having this surgery hurdle cleared is a big relief.  

I appreciate you all for your shared experiences. It has helped so much.

Aimee

[Livin Life]

Sooo glad you did well through the surgery and the early recovery so far.  Sounds like you are doing as well as you could be for this stage of the game.  Now the waiting for path as you said.  Once you get a plan that will help a lot too.  I don't know that from a lung cancer perspective (or yet) though had a preinvasive breast cancer and having a plan made such a difference.  Hopefully you are done with the exception of monitoring - no chemo, etc. needed.... Await your update....

[Aimee]

Thought I would give an update one week out. I am feeling quite good overall.  I am back to walking the distances I was pre surgery just not the speed. I am still ready to hit the sack by about 9pm and still have a kind of dry cough that is more annoying than painful.   My daughter's dance recital is this weekend so I have been busy with that. Busy is good. 

The pathology report is still not back.  They said it could be another week. Very frustrating but not much I can do about it. 

I hope you all are doing well. The surgery tips posted were very helpful. 

[Livin Life]

Great to hear from you, Aimee and glad you're doing well.  It sounds like you're doing quite well.  Is your stamina during the day as good as it sounds or are you having to pace and rest quite a bit during the day.  Busy with the recital made me think you've been quite active and it's just been a week.  Do take good care this weekend AND enjoy the recital!!  Thanks for updating us!  Hoping you hear about path soon....

[LouT]

Aimee

Thanks for the update.  I'm glad that the tips helped out, they really do come from experience.  Keep up the good work (spirometer, exercise, rest, healthy food and attitude), and you'll be back to a normal routine quicker than you thought it would happen.  

Lou

[Aimee]

Hi LivinLife.

My stamina during the day has been really good. Not normal but better than expected.   I am a college professor on summer break so there isn't the stress of missing work or anything like that.  I am doing less than I would bc of the lifting restriction. My daughters have taken those tasks (lawn mowing, vacuuming, trash, etc). I may have them keep those duties after all of this.   The dance recital has been a welcome distraction.  Follow up next Tuesday with the surgeon. Hoping for a path report sooner rather than later. 

Aimee

[Aimee]

Hi all. Me again.

I got the path report on My Chart.  I haven't yet spoken with the doctor but the report says the following: 

Sections show a lung lesion in which the outer boundaries (1.4 cm on glass slide) are defined by mucin-filled alveoli. Within this area, there is lepidic adenocarcinoma in situ, measuring 0.7 cm, composed of columnar mucinous cells with low-grade cytologic atypia. Within the area of lepidic AIS, there is a 0.3 cm focus of microinvasive adenocarcinoma with associated stromal reaction.

The lesional cells are positive for CK7, CK20 (focal), and TTF1 (focal). The cells are negative for CDX2. Napsin A appears to be negative, with interpretation complicated by substantial staining of non-neoplastic elements. The morphology and immunophenotype support the diagnosis of minimally invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung, mucinous.

 

I am not exactly sure what it all means but I think the MIA diagnosis with all clear margins and lymph nodes (it said that earlier in the report) is a positive outcome. 

I know y'all aren't doctors, but you certainly have a wealth of experience and expertise. What ya think?

 

 

 

 

[edivebuddy]

That's actually a great report. MIA has a near 100% 5 Year  and over 97% 10 year disease specific survival after surgery 

 

[Aimee]

That is great to hear. Admittedly, I don't know much of what I am reading. MyChart is a double edged sword. 

[Livin Life]

I agree with edive though he also has about 250% more knowledge about these things compared to me : )  It does sound good though from all I've learned the last several months.  Nice you have time over the summer to recoup!  Good timing on the surgery given that...  Glad your energy has been good so early on and that you're taking it easier, pacing, etc.  Let us know if there are any other treatment recommendations for you after meeting with the surgeon.  And btw I agree with you on letting your kids keep up the help permanently - tell them they can never leave LOL...  

[Aimee]

Hi all.

I met with the surgeon today for my two week follow up.  Although he is presenting to the tumor board today, he believes they will concur that no further treatment is necessary. Three month follow up CT and regular ones for five years. He said a recurrence of this would be rare. I asked about when I could do things-swim, play tennis, fly... He said the very annoying dry cough was normal and would go away as the lung reorganizes itself. More importantly, I asked if there could be a genetic component to this.  I have several first cousins who have Linch Syndrome. We believe it is from the side to which I am not related by blood but we don't know this for sure.  Given that and the fact that I do not and have never smoked but still ended up with this, he felt genetic testing may be a good idea.  I believe in information even though it can be overwhelming. 

 

 

[LouT]

Aimee,

Great news all around.  Congratulations on getting through all this.  Keep yourself healthy, and happy and live each day fully.  

Lou

[Aimee]

Thanks Lou. 

I intend to do just that, a lot more purposefully than before. Continued good stuff to you!

Aimee

[edivebuddy]

There is no established link between Lynch syndrome and lung cancer. While not unheard of, lung cancer is not generally hereditary. I believe even when there's a family history of lung cancer it's most likely environmental.  20 years of living with radon. Breathing your families second hand smoke.  Living next to a coal furnace. Growing up in a smog filled city.  

Most female lung cancer patients on the planet never smoked.   This is heavily influenced by Asian statistics where 80% of female lung cancer patients never smoked.  If you have lungs you can get lung cancer.  

The number of Americans smoking has been on a steady decline  since the 70s.  Yet during that period the incidence of lung cancer has not. For women in particular at one point smoking was cut in half yet the rate of lung cancer more than doubled. Coming down only by about 16% from it's high point.

Chaos is a universal law and   330 billion  cells divide each day in the human body.   Random genetic mutations just sometimes happen.  Don't bang your head trying to figure out why.  Eliminate any obvious candidates and live the rest of your life knowing you beat one of the deadliest of  human diseases. 

 

[Aimee]

Thanks edlivebuddy.

I am not going to go crazy trying to figure out why...or try not to anyway.  I didn't mean to imply Lynch syndrome could be a culrpit. It has just been a topic of concern and focus in my family over the last few years so it makes me think of genetic elements.  I am pretty sure the why will remain a mystery. But, if I can get some genetic testing done and find out more about my makeup it may point in the direction of necessary vigilance in other areas. I don't want to spend my days buying trouble though either. Mostly I am going to focus on better nutrition and getting back to swimming and tennis and traveling and being thankful for every crazy day.