Lung Cancer and Looking to 2019 and Beyond

2019 is off to an excellent start! My CT scan results were good. The small tumor is stabalized at its half shrinkage size shown on the prior scan done 2 1/2 months ago. There were no metatasic signs in any other areas. Thank God. I have an appt. with my radiologist next week to discuss brain radiation. Am doing research to decide whether or not to go forward with that plan. Just feeling like I need some time off without any more therapies. But, since small cell lung cancer is very aggressive it is a worrisome decision.

@colleenyoung
I also appreciated the mentioning of Lung Cancer; as I just learned that the property in which I currently reside, is over a Waste site/dump! My friend also confided in myself and told me many Women living in the Townhouses on our property have Breast Cancer! My Asthma has been so exacerbated by the construction on our property, which is being upgraded, that my new Pulmonologist added a Nebulizer to my medications! I am personally furious with my Management Company; as they have been lying to us as Residents, don't care about our living conditions until things are of an urgent matter, etcetera!
I can't wait to move out of this Complex!

@conniechoi84 Welcome to Mayo Connect. Thank you for joining us and for your great questions. My blog has my entire journey up until I develop PTSD. My blog is still active. I'm so so sorry that your mother in law has lung cancer. It's terrible disconcerting when you are hit in the head with having cancer. She must have had an Xray. CT scans will bring her closer to a diagnosis. There will be lots of blood work and maybe breathing tests.
Your mother-in-law is very lucky to have the both of you to support her. This is what she will need from now on, if it indeed is cancer.
Don't let her be indolent. Eating, a balanced diet and exercise are the most important things for her right now. She probably isn't getting a good night's sleep but if she can nap encourage her to.
I also suggest that you concentrate on one thing at a time. No what ifs! They will drive you batty. There are no answers to what ifs. The most important psychological thing for your mother is for her to feel in charge. She has just had her world kicked out from under her. She needs to get as much control back as possible. She needs to make all decisions after discussions with you and her doctors. Right now honesty is most important. That days of hiding things from people are long gone, buried deep in history where they belong.
You will be learning an entire new world and vocabulary. Make sure that you line up your priorities, one test, one day at a time. And take care of yourselves as well. If it is cancer than you have a long ride ahead of you.
Please let me know what the results of the CT scan are. And what kind of cancer they think that she might have.

Here is my entire blog so far. I am still writing. https://my20yearscancer.com/ I hope that you pass this on to your mother in law to read.

Hi Merry- I found your blog posts when I began researching Lung Cancer treatments online and was interested in your story of survival and being a mentor for others with Lung Cancer. My mother in law went to the doctors for pneumonia treatment and when her doctors took an X-ray of her chest, they found multiple spots on her lungs. Her doctor said “it’s most likely cancer”. We were in shock. She went in for a cold and came out a cancer patient. She is getting her CT scan on Thursday and we will know for sure whether it’s cancer or not. In the meantime, my husband and I are lost. Any advice on how to get her better in regards to nutrition, exercise and etc will be greatly appreciated. We have so many questions but don’t know where to start. What is expected to follow if her CT Scan is positive for cancer? Also, can you share your story of survival?

@conniechoi84 Welcome to Mayo Connect. Thank you for joining us and for your great questions. My blog has my entire journey up until I develop PTSD. My blog is still active. I'm so so sorry that your mother in law has lung cancer. It's terrible disconcerting when you are hit in the head with having cancer. She must have had an Xray. CT scans will bring her closer to a diagnosis. There will be lots of blood work and maybe breathing tests.
Your mother-in-law is very lucky to have the both of you to support her. This is what she will need from now on, if it indeed is cancer.
Don't let her be indolent. Eating, a balanced diet and exercise are the most important things for her right now. She probably isn't getting a good night's sleep but if she can nap encourage her to.
I also suggest that you concentrate on one thing at a time. No what ifs! They will drive you batty. There are no answers to what ifs. The most important psychological thing for your mother is for her to feel in charge. She has just had her world kicked out from under her. She needs to get as much control back as possible. She needs to make all decisions after discussions with you and her doctors. Right now honesty is most important. That days of hiding things from people are long gone, buried deep in history where they belong.
You will be learning an entire new world and vocabulary. Make sure that you line up your priorities, one test, one day at a time. And take care of yourselves as well. If it is cancer than you have a long ride ahead of you.
Please let me know what the results of the CT scan are. And what kind of cancer they think that she might have.

Here is my entire blog so far. I am still writing. https://my20yearscancer.com/ I hope that you pass this on to your mother in law to read.

@mdcjb- Good morning and welcome to Mayo Connect. Chemo is the really pits! Different people react differently. I don't know why some people say anything about light in anything regarding chemo. Other than tough side effects form chemo how are you doing with recovering from surgery?
Did you have your entire lung removed or just a part of it? What chemo are they giving you? You might want to switch browsers. Other than that I haven't the slightest idea what to suggest. Do you have anyone at home who could help you with getting my blog?

Hi Merry,
Thank you for the quick response. I will try to view it from my tablet, and then move on to my laptop. I'll get it figured out.
My recovery from the surgery was phenomenal. Or so I'm told lol
I'm still having nerve pain but I am only 7 weeks out.
I had a pneumonectomy, removal of the entire right lung. The thoracic surgeon as well as the nurses have all said my recovery has been much better, and quicker than the highest percentage of patients they see with the same surgery.
Today is day 7since chemo and I'm still vomiting. This can't possibly be right. I've lost another 10 lbs this week. I'm down to 94. Unfortunately, it continues in a downward trend, and obviously not something I'm wanting right now.
Carboplatin and Alimta is what I'm getting. The nausea meds aren't working, and even ice chips cause me to vomit. I've taken to sucking on pieces of watermelon for moisture. I can't swallow the pulp unfortunately.
I am not on the minimum MG available for those drugs, although I was lead to believe I would be. I'm getting 700 mg of one, and 500 mg of the other. I know that's not huge, but definitely higher than the minimal.
I have an appointment tomorrow with the thoracic team, and while there will see if I can maybe meet worh someone from oncology. As of right now, this is not something I care to continue. Especially when no one is willing to give you any idea of the time you may be gaining.
Oh, btw, my tumor was large, about the size of a peach and towards the chest wall. At first no lymph nodes involved but after removal, 3 of 30 did have it. Didn't travel though, just in the ones right by the mass. Like it kinda rolled in there. Lazy cells lol
Gosh, I've written a book. My apologies.
On to my tablet!
Regards,
Diana