Guest Laurene Posted February 8, 2003 Share Posted February 8, 2003 Hello All, I just found this group. I am a 47 y/o female diagnosed 2 years ago with an uncommon form of lung cancer called a Pancoast Tumour. This particular type of lung cancer has a very poor prognosis due to the fact that it remains asymptomatic for a long time and, therefore, is not very often discovered in time. I was diagnosed with NSC Stage 3 due to spread into the chest wall and ribs. At the time of diagnosis it was deemed inoperable due to the location spread (against the spinal column). After 6 weeks of radiation and an aborted attempt at chemo (very, very sick & hospitalizad) it had "shrunk" enough to attempt resection. The two thoracic surgeons that performed the operation did not know whether or not they would be able to remove the tumour until they were in the operating room. I didn't know until I woke up what they had done. They removed the tumour, a section of the chest wall and 4 ribs. A long, eventful recuperation ensued including another week in the hospital with chest tubes to remove a litre of fluid from the site. They knew I would have some nerve damage from the surgery but it wasn't as extensive as they thought it might be. After I recuperated I am left with no feeling in my left torso and axilla, a distorted upper thoracic spine, limitations to my breathing and fatigue but I have full use of all my limbs and no evidence 19 months later of any recurrance. You'd never know on casual meeting that I ever had anything wrong Since treatment I have been trying to find another person with the Pancoast tumour diagnosis to no avail. It's very lonely not to have anyone to identify with. I am glad this group is here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted February 8, 2003 Share Posted February 8, 2003 Laurene, what a wonderful testimony to hope! Thanks so much for adding your story here and giving us all a ray of sunshine. My wife, Lucie, was dx last Oct. with NSCLC, Stage IV, and has undergone radiation on three bone met sites and two chemo treatments. Dec. and Jan. were lost to hospitalization for infections and dehydration, then recovery. We start chemo again next week. So happy to hear your good news. Right on! Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 8, 2003 Share Posted February 8, 2003 Thank you, Don, for the kind words. Please tell your wife that I am thinking about her and sincerely hope things go well. My initial diagnosis was very dire. The doctors were very impressed with the outcome against so many odds. I still have to see them every three months for tests but have been upgraded recently from about a 6% chance of survival to 50% chance. There is always hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Posted February 8, 2003 Share Posted February 8, 2003 Laurene, What a wonderful story, everyones cancer is so different...but it affects us all at heart the same way...I just love to hear a story as wonderful as yours.. That will make those doctors question those statistics and hopefullly give inspiration to the next person who enters into their office looking for hope and faced with a similar situation...We all know that attitude is so important I hope that God blesses you with many more healthy years!!! Thank you for sharing your inspirational story with us.... Laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 9, 2003 Share Posted February 9, 2003 Thank you, Laurie, for the kind word and thoughts. I am happy if my story helps anyone. I read over your posts and sincerely hope your mother is improving. I, too, was very, very sick from the Cisplatin and had to cease chemo. It was lucky that chemo was only an adjunct to my main treatment of radiation. Please tell your mother that someone in Canada is rooting for her. Hugs, Laurene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted February 10, 2003 Share Posted February 10, 2003 Dear Laurene, I am so glad to hear your doing so well for all you have been through. This isn't a cake walk that's for sure!!! I knew of a couple people that had a pancoast tumor, but I'm sorry to say, they are no longer with us. This was a few years ago though. Another lung cancer that is not all that common is BAC (Bronchial Alveolar Cancer), this is a form of Adenocarcinoma, and not easy to treat either. Little is known about BAC like Pancoast Tumors. I had my left lung removed, along with two ribs, and two cancerous lymph nodes and a few extra's to be on the safe side 7+ years ago. I still have numbness in that area and from what I am told I will forever!!! (small price to pay to be here)! I agree with you as well, that you wouldn't know to look at me that I was a lung cancer survivor of Stage IIIA-B. I hope you will find some information here that might help you and if not, I know you'll find a lot of wonderful people that will be very supportive and understanding to your concerns. Warm and Gentle Hugs, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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