1.1 cm adenocarcinoma
Hi, you wonderful and kind people who replied to my first post about my diagnosis. You all are helping me stay only halfway down the darkest rabbit hole I have ever been down. I see both a surgeon and a radiation doctor early next week. I have the brain scan in early August. But tell me, as you accept this more, does the feeling of doom get any better? I feel like I should be preparing for my demise and writing a farewell letter to everyone. I feel like in the time it takes to get all the ducks in a row, this nodule is just going to explode, and everything will be over. I can cry at a moment's notice and then turn around and tell me that it's all good and I've got a good few years to go. I feel so alone, and I know I'm not. My primary doctor called me last night just to see how I was handling the news once he got the results. He told me I am one of the strongest little women he knows. I don't feel like that right now. Next week I guess I have to decide if I want to go with surgery or radiation. Any experiences or opinions are welcome. Looking at your own mortality is super scary. I'm terrified.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.
Connect

I’m happy to hear that you’re only half way down the rabbit hole, it’s still an improvement. As to deciding what to do as your next step is best decided by you and your doctor, I was recommended a lobectomy and I’m glad I did, in fact I had another wedge removed about two years later, I’ve heard the surgery referred to as the gold standard for treatment of early stage lung cancer.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 Reactions@blue717 for me the worst time was between knowing I had cancer and not knowing what I could do about it. I think you will feel better once your staging and diagnosis are complete - and you decide on a treatment plan. It takes time to do all of the testing and waiting to finish that process is difficult. One thing that helped me was writing a list of questions I wanted to ask the oncologists when I met with them. if you're planning on getting a second opinion, you can also schedule that in tandem. try not to think about the worst case scenario and try to do things to take your mind off of all the stress.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 ReactionsHi,
I’m glad you are meeting with your Doctors soon, and as mamajite also said, my thought too is that you will feel better once you have a plan in place.
I felt so much better once I did.
Right now this is so new and raw, it is difficult. I’m sorry you are facing this.
Try to be extra extra kind to yourself, that may not be easy right now but may make an overall difference in how you feel.
Very kind Doctor to have called you, of course it doesn’t feel like you are strong now… your strength is still there however… It’s just hiding under anxiety for now.
My team recommended a lobectomy, I agreed. My mass was 2.2 x 1.3 x 1.2 cm. They removed it along with my right middle lobe…. It was the best decision for me. I’m glad I had it done.
I am confident that both you and your team will make the best decision for you too.
Big hugs 🤗
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 ReactionsThat you are only halfway down the rabbit hole is testimony to your strength. For me it got easier over time. I'm 25 years out with stage 4.
Take encouragement from knowing they're considering surgery. Most of the time it's only done with curative intent. At a Cancer Survivor Day event ten years ago I met a man who was 25 years out from his lung cancer diagnosis and had a lung removed at that time.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 ReactionsMorning! I don’t believe there is a person on here that has not felt the same as you do right now. Mine was about the same size as yours and it was stage 1b. Left upper lobe. I was 58 at the time of my surgery. I am now going to be 62 in about 2 months. Every one says I am such a strong person, but when you get this diagnosis it’s a big kick in the gut! And yes, it makes you face your own mortality. BUT…surgeries and medicines for it have come so far! My surgeon decided on a segmentectomy to remove mine and save lung fuction. It was done by VATS. I thought I wanted the “Cyberknife” radiation, but I am now so glad I had the surgery instead. They cut it out and get clear margins. I thought all your same thoughts at first. Then I decided to go in to planning and preparation mode for the surgery, and recovery, and that shifted my negative thinking. Also, I found this site with the most wonderful people that gave great advice and showed me I was not alone and I could make it through this! We are here for you! Stay OFF OF DR. GOOGLE! Research on reputable medical sites like Mayo, Cleavland clinic.org or any of those. You’ve Got This! Prayers for you!🙏❤️
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@cmcguire10 Thank you for your kind words. It does help knowing that there are kindred spirits out there who can related to my feelings. No I never go to google webs or any of those sites. I stick to Mayo , Cleveland Clinic and Moffitt. More now I need reliable information. I am so grateful for this group who is helping me from going totally bat sh’t crazy.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@denzie You are truly an inspiration.
Typo is in the entry. I'm 15+ years with stage 4. I can't edit it sorry.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction