Two Kinds Lung Cancer and dealing with other issues

@shortshot80 Hi Nancy: I'm sorry to hear that you have not been well. It sounds like you have had a very difficult time. Do you have friends and family nearby for support? I so appreciate your comment, "No treatment of any kind yet, and also no pain. Am fortunate for several things." You appear to be taking a positive outlook and that is great. It looks like you have a lot of tests coming up. Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. Teresa

shortshot80/ Nancy)
I have been here before, now, yesterday my oncologist says I need radiation on/in my left lung. Next Thursday I will meet with a new doc to me/cohart of my oncologist who takes care of the radiation part. I had a pet scan couple weeks ago, that is what determine's my
radiation. I have to also go another 50/60 miles for the place they do it in. That just shook me as I wasn't expecting that. I was diagnosis Jan 22/16. I haven't had anything but good reports up till now. I guess I expected good reports for the rest of my life! DUH! I'm an old lady who didn't expect anything like this for the end! Now What? I came home last evening, my husband is hungry so when's dinner. Don't know just a few minutes and I'll fix something. Well I can help (he is 89) oh yeah! So I go into the kitchen, pulling a couple things out of the frige, knocked a cup of coffee all over the counter and the floor. I'm tired and started to cry as I cleaned it up. Finally got it cleaned up, floor mopped, and stuff on the stove. Well the oven isn't working......gosh oh gee...what else. Well hubby got his dinner but I'm just bushed/ over whelmed/teary/tired.... you name it. "just my normal self. Anyway here I am. Looking for????
Nancy

Hi Nancy,
Thank you for having the courage to share your news with us. It's not easy getting bad news. We can be so strong for so long and then BAM. It's not helpful that you then came home to the demands of the "normal routine" of serving and being wife when your world just shifted beneath you.

I'm bringing in @llwortman @merilee @hopeful33250 and @burrkay into this discussion. They've been there and know what you're going through.
We're here Nancy and we're listening!

Welcome back to Connect Nancy: I do remember your story and I agree with Colleen Young. "you are brave to share your story". I commend you. I am a 9 year lung cancer survivor. I must say personally, I feel it is amazing that you have no pain. My shoulder and back pain became unbearable. Then Mayo Clinic proper diagnosed me & properly treated me! ((local doc's had no Idea a never smoker could have lung cancer)).
I cannot emphasize enough that you seek proper diagnosis.
I understand the tired feeling, lack of motivation the frustration when you do not feel good. You deserve to have a good cry. So do not be hard on yourself.
You are incredibly strong. You are only as old as you feel...but I also understand feeling well beyond years when you feel like you do. It's ok!
Take time for 'YOU". I drove 50 miles to the airport and flew 2 hours and then drove to Rochester MN - Mayo Clinic for 80 minutes...on a good day. I can
tell you this, I enjoy the travel. I use this drive time to clear my head. Enjoy the scenery and take deep breaths.
While waiting for doctors appointments, I breath deep and think about cleaning my lungs by taking in deep slow breaths, and quietly blowing out as I cleans my lungs.
After lung cancer surgery initially, I was difficult for me to breath, with most of my left lung missing. But the Paced Breathing app ( provided by Dr Amit Sood - Mayo Clinic) gave me permission to accept my cancer (who does that?) and become resilient, allowing my body to heal as best it could. And enjoy living, truly living one day at a time. (who gives us permission to do that?)
Now that I have lived this practice of " breathing and meditating" (just 5 minutes three times a day) It has changed my life. Although I must tell you, in the beginning of my diagnosis I was stunned. The shock was beyond belief. There was not much hope. However, today there is so much help.
The Help that is available with specialized research centers like Mayo Clinic really can help emotionally, physically and spiritually. I say spiritually meaning the whole being , and not in a religious sense.
So my dear focus on you. Speak up... let me give you a secret way to make a point: When I worked I spent a lot of time in Japan. In the Japanese culture,
people often whisper. I witnessed and learned using this "whisper practice"" really got attention of everyone, including crying babies. So, I have found this practice is very valuable to get my point across. i.e.;" I am taking some time out for me, excuse me for a few minutes!"
You have a lot of wisdom. Remember, people on Connect are here to support you! So feel the silent blessings and know you are not alone. You are strong and brave.
Think about getting that second opinion...I have an amazing team and Mayo Clinic, so let me know if you would like any of their names ...for me it is worth the traveling! On of my Nick names is: The Traveling Patient!
You deserve a big hug! I will be thinking of you. Take care of you!
Linda

@shortshot80 Hi Nancy: Thank you for taking the difficult step of posting us when you were at a low point. That took great courage and I admire that! I can understand how devastating this diagnosis can be. I've had 3 cancer surgeries and each one has carried with it the thought, "I just can't believe this is happening again." Sharing your disappointment with others is wise and healthy. I agree with Linda's suggestion of getting a second opinion from a specialized research center like Mayo. It can make all the difference in the world! As I live in SE Michigan I went to Univ. of Michigan Hospital for my 3rd surgery and it was a much better experience. Best wishes and please keep in touch with us. We are all in your corner and routing for you. Teresa

shortshot80 (nancy) January 22,2016 I had a surgery where the surgeon placed a four foot plastic hose in my left lung to drain it. Four days in the hospital (St. Vincent's) Portland,Or. They did all kinds of stuff, found I have "mesothelioma in my left lung and plain old lung cancer in my right lung. Doc explained the meso in in the seems of my left lung. Nothing to help that! Cancer of my right lung can possibly be helped by several things. Perhaps surgery, radiation, or I don't know what else. I have to talk to the doc in charge of the radiation next Thursday. BUT I think I would rather have surgery than radiation. One of my daughter in law's had cancer back in 1997 had radiation and then died within 10 days. Radiation scares me. So I don't know what to think.Last several days have been very emotional. Also very tired, I am 84 and all this is really hard for me. Nancy

Will keep you in my prayers, I had radiation for a local reoccurance in chest nodes..The only thing I had was alot of inflamation and difficulty and pain when I had to swollow due to the location of radiation, Everyone is different ...good luck to you and your decision.
Stay strong. . Merilee

Merilee, Thank you, I'm not really sure that I want radiation.. I think I'd rather have a surgery if it possible where ever the spot is. I know it is in my lung, but which one, I'm not sure. Think it is my right lung. I just know I'm too old for this stuff. shortshot80 / Nancy

Nancy I did have surgery/ chemo when my cancer was first diagnosed stage 2A non small-cell Adeno carcinoma in 2015 at that stage I was able to have surgery... approximately six months later I had radiation due to some cancer in the lymph nodes in the chest that the surgery and chemo missed the first time around ..that is when I had the radiation.. If the doctors feel surgery is a possibility then you have options. Good luck to you
Merilee

Hi Nancy:
Proper diagnosis and proper treatment are key for a good quality of life.
If you trust your doctors and their teams. Be brave. We are fortunate we
live in an era where the medical technology is so advanced. Everyday
researchers who are dedicating their lives to cancer are finding amazing
cures. I'm an example of great follow up and the best care.
My husband loves telling people I'm in better shape now than before VATS
surgery to remove most of my left lung. I have learned how to be resilient
and practice taking care of 'me' with diet, exercise, practice breathing and
letting go of stress with meditation every day.
And now there is connect, with amazing people to share and support you.
Let's keep connected! I'm thinking of you.
You deserve a cyber hug,
linda