1. < Lung Cancer

Has anyone in this group undergone surgery for removal? Is it working?

Posted by annallee @annallee, Jun 21 1:25pm

I was recently diagnosed with stage 2 adenocarcinoma lung cancer in my upper left lung. Much to my surprise, the surgeon says he plans to take the whole upper left quadrant of my lungs! I thought they would only take out the 2 spots that were found. Does this sound normal? I know I will survive with missing a part of my lung, but what else should I expect? I was also told that follow up chemo is not likely, but may do so as a preventative.

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char09 | @char09 | Jul 18 6:31pm
In reply to @char09 "No, skull lesion and right lung module will be monitored for now. MRI in 6 weeks." + (show)
@char09

No, skull lesion and right lung module will be monitored for now. MRI in 6 weeks.

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Lisa, sorry but that last post sent early. 😉 So , no the doctors are not treating the skull lesion as of now, but watching it with MRI’s for now. My team of doctors are not in agreement as to what it is at this point.
It’s a little scary for me. Will start radiation on the malignant lung tumor on Monday, the 22nd.

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cmcguire10 | @cmcguire10 | Jul 19 11:17am
In reply to @char09 "Lisa, sorry but that last post sent early. 😉 So , no the doctors are not..." + (show)
@char09

Lisa, sorry but that last post sent early. 😉 So , no the doctors are not treating the skull lesion as of now, but watching it with MRI’s for now. My team of doctors are not in agreement as to what it is at this point.
It’s a little scary for me. Will start radiation on the malignant lung tumor on Monday, the 22nd.

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Hello char09-Are they using SBRT as the radiation method? I just wanted to wish you the BEST OF LUCK with your treatments, and I pray you will have GREAT results! God Bless You!

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char09 | @char09 | Jul 19 11:24am
In reply to @cmcguire10 "Hello char09-Are they using SBRT as the radiation method? I just wanted to wish you the..." + (show)
@cmcguire10

Hello char09-Are they using SBRT as the radiation method? I just wanted to wish you the BEST OF LUCK with your treatments, and I pray you will have GREAT results! God Bless You!

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Yes, SBRT as radiation method. Thank you for the encouraging note.

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mollie2 | @mollie2 | Jul 19 12:15pm
In reply to @flusshund "@annalee, yes, it's a big surprise when you first hear your doctors want to remove the..." + (show)
@flusshund

@annalee, yes, it's a big surprise when you first hear your doctors want to remove the whole lobe, but it's very common. In the past, like in 2018, they almost never took out just a piece of the lobe. Nowadays, it happens, but it's still rare. You'd have to ask your oncologist what qualifies for removing less than the whole lung lobe.

I was diagnosed with Stage 2b and had my upper right lobe removed using robotic-assisted surgery using the da Vinci II robot. I can't even find the 4th little scar most days. And it's a good thing they did take the whole lobe because they found out the cancer had already metastasized to a nearby lymph node.

The original plan was surgery with no chemo or radiation. But because it metastasized, I had 4 rounds of chemo. The cut line also stained positive for cancer cells, so I had 33 rounds of chemo.

Life expectancy is much higher when they do the initial surgery as quickly as possible. I now give talks on lung cancer awareness and the importance of prescreening. In my talks, I describe the days after diagnosis as "the whirlwind" because it sure feels like that. Sound like your doctor has the right plan

My nonsmokers lung cancer metastasized to my brain 2 years later, and I had to have brain surgery. In that case, they DID just remove the cancerous cyst and not the entire brain lobe. 🙂 Also, realize that cancer care, especially lung cancer care, has made HUGE strides in the last 10-15 years. I have the EGFR Exon 19 mutation and take a daily pill. I also had zero nausea during chemo.

Good luck with your surgery. Let us know how to goes and what comes next for you.

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I had surgery on March 8th for EFGR non smoker mutation. The right upper lobe was removed and I’m now on Tagrisso for three years. I have stage 1b and am 67 years old. My breathing is fine and I walk and play tennis regularly. The Tagrisso has side effects. The worst for me is fatigue which I’m managing as best I can. My voice has been slow to come back to 100% because my vocal cords were compromised from the breathing tube during the lobectomy, I will see an ENT if not better. Grateful the nodule was discovered early and keeping a positive attitude and outlook ! God bless everyone on their particular journey 🙏

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sonshine161 | @sonshine161 | Jul 20 12:40pm

I had my entire left lung removed due to adenocarcinoma and asarcomatoid carcinoma. Several months after recovery I’m playing golf and walking 3-4 miles a day, playing with the grandkids and enjoying life. Surgery is the best chance of a cure. 🤞

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burdyblue | @burdyblue | Aug 14 3:52pm
In reply to @fontspec "I have had a double lobecetomy, 2/3 right lung, 1/2 of left lung plus. After the..." + (show)
@fontspec

I have had a double lobecetomy, 2/3 right lung, 1/2 of left lung plus. After the right lung surgery, I had chemotherapy treatment. I have some now in left lower lung which I have had radiation. The only issues I have is in breathing. I am easily out of breath when I walk or anything under a physical environment. Surgery is the best option, I’m ten years after right lung removal.

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Very encouraging to hear. Thank you.

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burdyblue | @burdyblue | Aug 14 4:02pm
In reply to @kenhorse "I had my right lower lobe (for a 1.2 cm tumor) removed in April of last..." + (show)
@kenhorse

I had my right lower lobe (for a 1.2 cm tumor) removed in April of last year by VATS, along with 13 lymph nodes and was amazed how little pain was involved in my recovery. I never needed anything more than acetaminophen and that was only for the first 4 or 5 days afterwards. I was staged at 1a with clear margins and lymph nodes. No chemo or radiation (so far). I pretty much resumed my normal activity level within a few months.

As of last month (my last CT Scan), I remain NED with no shortness of breath issues. I'm amazed! Oh, I turn 70 this October.

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I have an ademocarcinoma about the same size coming out next week, upper lobe left lung, by RATS, robotic assisted thoracoscopic, that appears contained at stage 1, but shall see. I hope I will be able to withstand the pain, too, with just motrin and tylenol by the time I leave the hospital. I just turned 69. Shortness of breath frightens me, but I understand the body adjusts? Thank you for sharing. May you have continued recovery.

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burdyblue | @burdyblue | Aug 14 4:04pm
In reply to @donniehanberry "Six years ago I had the upper lobe of my right lung removed along with a..." + (show)
@donniehanberry

Six years ago I had the upper lobe of my right lung removed along with a dozen or so lymph nodes due to Squamous Cell Carcinoma. After pathology I was told that the doctors got it at Stage 1A and I recovered to no ill effects even with forty years of smoking and COPD.

I'm lucky that I don't use oxygen, inhalers or any breathing aids and I am 85 years old.

Donnie Hanberry

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That is some stamina you are lucky to have. It gives me hope at 68. Thank you for sharing.

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burdyblue | @burdyblue | Aug 14 4:10pm
In reply to @ladylennie "I had my upper left lobe removed in February. It's considered the gold standard for curative..." + (show)
@ladylennie

I had my upper left lobe removed in February. It's considered the gold standard for curative intent. I had 12 lymph nodes removed-all negative and negative margins. Also lower left lobe wedge positive for aah (not considered cancer). Since I also have nodules in my right lung, i had chemo-4 cycles pemetrexed carboplatin with no side effects. The joy of multifocal adenocarcinoma.Will have scans 7/8 and if all is well, 1 year keytruda every 6 weeks. So far so good.

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Wishing you strength and courage to keep moving forward.

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ladylennie | @ladylennie | Aug 14 4:42pm
In reply to @burdyblue "Wishing you strength and courage to keep moving forward." + (show)
@burdyblue

Wishing you strength and courage to keep moving forward.

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Thank you. Best of luck to you. I found the pain wasn't all that bad. The worst of it started a few weeks later was neuropathic. Gabapentin really helped me. I'm walking a couple of miles at an 18 minute mile trying to get back to a 15 minute mile. And back on the tennis court when the weather cools. By the way, I'm 82.

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