Newly diagnosed with lung cancer

@grandmar- Good morning Ronnie. Welcome back to Connect. It's been about a year since you last posted. I know that this past year has been pretty rough for a lot of people because of COVID-19. And a lot of lung operations and treatments were delayed. I hope that you and your family fared well throughout it.

Lobectomies change the geographical structures of the chest cavity. And on top of that, there are chest tubes that are needed to drain old blood and fluids from the chest cavity. I had a lot of painful cramping on my right side after my first lobectomy and wound up re-breaking a rib. Since it's only two weeks since your operation I would give it more time. Your chest has to get used to its new structure. It takes a while to heal from chest surgery.

Are you up and around? Otherwise, feeling pretty good? What kind of cancer was found?

@grandmar, so good to hear from you again. Lung cancer! My goodness. Good for you for advocating to get the PET scan and to get treatment. It sounds like you may have caught the cancer at a relatively early stage. Do you know what type of lung cancer you have/had and what stage? Maybe this will all be revealed at your upcoming appointment.

I agree with @merpreb. You will likely need more time before the pain on the left side subsides. Who is at home assisting your with recovery?

Hello!
Yes, it has been a minute since I last posted. Frankly, things were going well and when COVID struck, I was busy homeschooling my 3rd grade granddaughter. Lucky I was a former teacher!

The first doctor I had a consult with talked about removing the bottom lobe of my left lung. That is not why I decided not to go with him. The doctor I chose felt that just removing the nodule and some lymph nodes would be just as good. Guess time will tell. I actually went with this doctor because he is part of a cancer center and the center as well as the doctor was recommended by another doctor in Maryland.

Anyway, I've been up and around since the day of my surgery. Right now I can't go swimming, so I go on the tread mill for approximately 1/2 hour, twice a day. Since I have walking issues, it is not fast but at least I keep pace and work my lungs. Other than the pain, I feel fine. No problems breathing!!!!

As far as the type of cancer, once I see the doctor, I am sure he will give me a more definitive answer to that question.

How are you doing?????

Ronnie

@granmar Am so glad you got the cancerous nodule taken care of early. Sorry you had to fight the insurance company. They can be so ugly about obvious treatments and diagnostics! Anyway, I also had a similar surgery and recall almost the same sort of pain you are experiencing. As I recall it lingered off and on for about a month. Like the responses above, your body has to adjust to the changes that have happened during and after the surgery. You WILL feel better. Give it time and take it easy, but keep up breathing exercises, and other things suggested by your surgeon according to his treatment plan. in mt case my surgeon got it all and so far so good--lymph nodes were clear. I go back for 6 months to 1 year CT scans to make certain no cancer has returned. I hope this is what happens for you. Give yourself time to heal and know the discomfort will go away. Also, I stopped the pain pills and relied on Tylenol 8 hour tablets as needed for pain. It really helped. Wishing you the best. Please keep in touch. Would really like
to know how you are doing.

Hi Colleen!
Yes, lung cancer! It was a real surprise to me! I knew about the nodules. You just never know!

This entire thing with the PET scan was such a bother. The insurance company wanted a biopsy first. The guy at the lab said that the PET scan is more expensive so they prefer the biopsy first. So, they'd rather have me cut than take a non-evasive test. It's behind me now and frankly, I can't worry about it any more.

As I mentioned above, when I go back Wednesday, I am sure I will have more definitive answers, including the type of cancer. All I know is that it was very early, Stage 1 but I don't know what letter (which depends if there were any lymph nodes impacted) and it is very slow growing.

Yes, I probably need more time to recoup before the pain goes away. Guess I am impatient! My hubby is home with me and is taking fantastic care of me (as he ALWAYS does)! What made a difficult situation even harder is the fact that he was not allowed in the hospital for the consults, test results, day of surgery or Wednesday when we get the results and develop a plan of action. I certainly understand, but I believe that when there are certain circumstances, at least one person should be allowed to accompany the patient! Oh well!

Hope you and your family are well during these unusual times!

Ronnie

Hi, nice to meet you!
I am glad you have responded so well to the surgery! Sounds like you really have experienced what I am currently going through. I've had 2 other major surgeries over the last 2 years on my spine. One was VERY painful and a long recovery and then one day, just like that, it was gone. Given my experience with those surgeries and others, I should have asked about the usual after surgery recovery and pain, etc. Oh well, it isn't anything I can't life with.

Actually, I do take the Tylenol Arthritis, which is very helpful. However, on those horrific days when nothing helps, I do take a pain pill. I try to take them only at night, however. I often roll over in my sleep and wake myself up in pain. At that point, it is hard to fall back to sleep.

Believe me, I know the pain will go away!

I'm so happy that the surgery has worked for you. If my lymph nodes are clears, I shouldn't need any other treatments. Regular check ups should be the only thing, along was CAT scans.

Will keep you informed when I find out more.

Have a great day!
Ronnie

@grandmar- Hi!I'm doing great, I really am. As @alamogal635 says I'm also glad that you had this taken care of while it was still small. Boy, you jumped up pretty soon after surgery!

The last time that you were on here your sister is Europe was ill. I hope that she is better. Is she?

Interesting, After a CT scan then a PET scan, I was told I had at least stage 2 lung cancer. They did the biopsy to determine if it was higher than stage 2 and where the cells came from. My options were radiation or take the lobe with the large nodule.

The biopsy determined I didn’t have lung cancer. I can see why the insurance company wanted the biopsy.

@grandmar It's great to meet you too. Wow, you had back surgery 2xs. From what I've heard jit can be excruciating. Will try to avoid that and keep on with spinal injections from time to time. I'm not as brave as you. Anyway, you certainly have a wonderful and upbeat attitude! Do take the prescribed pain pills when you need them. I wasn't criticizing at all. They were so stingy with me because they were opioids that I just got a few and was really cautious as to how and when I took them. So glad to hear from you and get to know you. Thank you for keeping us informed. You have a fantastic day, too.

Hello!
Yes, I had 2 spinal surgeries within t6 months of each other. I was also taking injections, but they stopped working. I could no longer take the pain 24/7. I couldn't sleep and I was miserable. I did LOTS of research to find a good surgeon. I knew I needed surgery on my lumbar and cervical spine. I decided on a neurosurgeon since my cervical spine was involved. I found a FANTASTIC doctor. He did the cervical spine first. He replaced 2 disks. This was an easy surgery to heal from. I was off pain meds within 2 days!

The lumbar surgery was HORRIBLE!! The pain was terrible!!!! It took me about 3 months to feel myself. I do have to say that for the first time in over a decade I was pain free. However, I probably waited too long for the surgery because I have permanent nerve damage in my legs. I have balance issues, neuropathy and I need to walk with a cane. But not once did I regret having the surgery!

I am fine with pain pills, I just don't like them and I take them only when necessary. I'm no hero!!! Also, I worry about addiction so I always have it in the back of my mind!.

Will touch base again soon!
Have a wonderful evening!!!!
Ronniie