Living with lung cancer - Introduce yourself & come say hi

Yes he really has never lost his appetite; at times foods have not tasted all that great but he has pretty well maintained his wight over the almost last 3 years - Oct 25 i think is when was diagnosed so will be starting the 3rd years soon

@reibur1951 Sorry to hear how you keep finding out how much fuller your plate can get. Glad to hear your sticking with the experts, even with the distance and additional pulls on your time lately. May you sleep well at night not just from exhaustion but from knowing how you've put your sick friend's best interest first!

@bluelagoon I have never minded or regretted the distant of travel it involves... I fact when ct's are invovled for all of 5-10 minutes we travel to IU Medical/Simon Cancer center for them they know what they want - they are there for the next visit which is 2-3 days later and there is no hassle of getting them sent to them. It beats the care his father received to Me QUALITY of care and COMMUNICATION are of the utmost I do not care how far would have to travel to get it... I know his father's dr/ (hematologist/oncologist) could not understand why he was not coming to his practice but it was because of him - his lack of communication; take this medication because I tell you too and side effects be dam and not listening and talking in analogies (which do not cut the mustard)

My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, about two weeks ago? The time is a blur. He just finished week one of 5 or so projected weeks of radiation. He wasn't feeling well, we thought it was a sinus infection and chest cold. He signed up for his VA benefits and his doctor sent him for a chest xray. Since then, CAT Scan, bronchoscopy, PET scan and endless blood work. The VA has been great, so far. Now we recognize what were likely symptoms that we just thought were just not related to anything serious.

Hello @mcleslie and welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm sorry to hear of your husband's recent diagnosis of lung cancer. I can imagine the time is a blur for you both. Cancer is always an unsettling diagnosis that leaves everyone in a tailspin. I'm glad that he is getting good treatment from the VA.

You said that he had symptoms prior to the diagnosis that was related to lung cancer. If you are comfortable sharing more, what were those symptoms? What is his most difficult symptom now?

Hi McLeslie - I am sorry about your husband's recent diagnosis and that he is not feeling well. Yes, the symptoms mimic so may other things and it can come as quite a shock when you finally get the diagnosis. And that diagnosis is terrifying and difficult. Things do tend to settle down to a new normal however and I am praying for peace and healing for you both. Many survivors here and we are here for you.

What we thought was an on again off again muscle strain/knot in his upper back was likely warning pain. His Dad, who hadn't seen him in awhile said he looked flushed but he has always been an outdoor guy, we thought it was too much fishing. And now his most difficult symptom is fatigue and swelling of his face (we thought it was a sinus infection), shortness of breath. The tumor is pressing against an artery causing the swelling but steroids are helping and radiation should shrink the mass/tumor.

@mcleslie

I can certainly understand that a muscle strain in the upper back would certainly not lead you to think of lung cancer. I'm glad to hear that the tumor can be managed and reduced with radiation and that the steroids are helping the swelling. I'd like to invite @merpreb to this discussion as well. She is a volunteer mentor and has been dealing with lung cancer for a number of years. I'm sure she can add some perspective to your situation.

Do the doctors anticipate that your husband might need surgery at some point or will they wait and see how the radiation is working? Does he still have shortness of breath or has that improved?

@mcleslie - I also welcome you to Mayo Clinic Connect. It's gut wrenching when you learn that your husband is ill. I almost lost my husband a couple of years ago to a bad virus. I know just what you mean when you say that life has been a blur. This is not an easy road. When I first was told that I had lung cancer 20+ years ago I don't think that I even could remember one test or scan from another. It was like someone put me on remote control while I walked around feeling sheer terror. I'm familiar with how the VA responds to medical problems and I must say that I'm impressed with the speediness that your husband has received treatment. What type of radiation is your husband receiving? What type of lung cancer does your husband have?

@hopeful33250 Thank you for inviting me to this post. @mcleslie- I welcomed you here this morning but we really didn't get into the nuts and bolts of lung cancer. I think that when I initially feel that I have an ache or pain I gloss over it too. I think that it's a a matter of self preservation, denial.
I'm curious to know what kind of radiation that your husband is having?