1. < Lung Cancer

They found a mass: How do you cope with anxiety and all the tests etc?

Posted by loula @loula, Feb 3, 2021

I was told last Wednesday I have a mass on right lung, going to doctor today for consult and I can not stop shaking what can you do for the anxiety level with this. not sure what a consult is or what is next all I can think of is this the last day of my normal life.

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Nancy, Alumna Mentor | @1nan | Feb 19, 2021
In reply to @loula "thank you for the info on nurse practitioner. I will be glad to see Monday come..." + (show)
@loula

thank you for the info on nurse practitioner. I will be glad to see Monday come and get the pet scan then Thursday I have the mri, the 3rd I am back to hemo doctor to get results . One thing I have learned in to reading this post and other people's views are it doesn't make it any better to get nervous about something you know nothing about until the time comes and I know the results and the options I have I am going to enjoy my life and try to make the negative thoughts positive ones and thank god I am still here. big hugs to all for being so caring.

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@loula You are making great progress on a difficult playing field. Or should I say “dance floor”? What a great and resourceful idea! Reminds me of the old Richard Simmons exercise tapes that were very popular and lots of fun. They were good for body and mind. I’ll bet that you are helping many others with your post and novel idea. Please keep coming back. Nancy

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gigitoava4 | @gigitoava4 | Feb 19, 2021
In reply to @dutchw "Always hated waiting, so learned not to dwell on it. At this point its counterproductive. No,..." + (show)
@dutchw

Always hated waiting, so learned not to dwell on it. At this point its counterproductive. No, I didn’t seek a 2nd opinion.. I was fortunate enough to get the same oncologist that my wife has and we have full confidence in him, he’s our primary. He referred me to a thoracic surgeon and she verified the oncologists diagnosis, plus it was to advanced for surgery. We have a unusual situation, being snowbirds, we have and get treatments by two separate Drs with opposing philosophies. I have chronic fluid on my left lung and the winter Dr wants me to see a thoracic surgeon down here for treatment. We see them next Tue, 23rd, for a consult. Am a little apprehensive about that and will not consent to any treatment unless first approved by our primary oncologist and thoracic surgeon. It’s necessary you remain proactive with your own care Loula and not afraid to question your Dr... Dancing with the oldies, Eh!! That sounds like fun, keep it up. Hang in there, your doing fine, ditto on the prayers and please keep us posted..

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I can relate with the biopsies. I had about 10 surgical breast biopsies over several years as I grow benign masses. This last mass was cancer stage 2 positive in one lympnode. Estrogen positive. I am a 10 year survivor and am almost done my second 5 year anto estrogen. My grandchildren keep me going. Prayers to all.

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Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Feb 23, 2021
In reply to @loula "said I have non-small cell lung cancer squamous cell T4N2, said I need to have a..." + (show)
@loula

said I have non-small cell lung cancer squamous cell T4N2, said I need to have a pet scan done and a mri of the brain next week then see the hemo doctor after and they will then tell me the stage of cancer and the treatment. I don't quit understand why I am talking to a hemo doctor rather than the pulmonary doctor. had to call the pulmonary doctor office to find out if it is a 3 cm mass (that is what they told me at first) but the lady at the hemo place said no she thinks it is 4 but once I have these tests done they will know for sure, that does not make sense. they should know what size the mass is now. I would think the pulmonary doctor should of told me these results . this lady is a nurse practitioner at the hematologist office is she qualified to tell me this?not the news I was wanting but get these tests done and know what I am facing sure hope it hasn't spread to the brain or other places but we will find out.

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@loula- Good morning. I was out for a few days not feeling well. How did things go for you yesterday?

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loula | @loula | Feb 23, 2021

Hello I had the pet scan it went very well on Thursday I have the mri then on the 3rd of March I will go and talk to the Hemo. doctor and find out what stage and if it has spread or in the brain, keeping in the fear not stage that everything is going to come back that it has not spread. How are you what is going on that you didn't feel well and hope you are doing better big hugs keep well you are always in my prayers.

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1 reply
Nancy, Alumna Mentor | @1nan | Feb 23, 2021

@loula Iwas glad to see your message about the PET Scan and totally excited that you are much more comfortable as you move forward. You are doing yourself proud! We will look forward to hearing from you after that March 3 appointment so be sure to get back to us. Continued Peace, Nancy

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dutchw | @dutchw | Feb 23, 2021
In reply to @dutchw "Always hated waiting, so learned not to dwell on it. At this point its counterproductive. No,..." + (show)
@dutchw

Always hated waiting, so learned not to dwell on it. At this point its counterproductive. No, I didn’t seek a 2nd opinion.. I was fortunate enough to get the same oncologist that my wife has and we have full confidence in him, he’s our primary. He referred me to a thoracic surgeon and she verified the oncologists diagnosis, plus it was to advanced for surgery. We have a unusual situation, being snowbirds, we have and get treatments by two separate Drs with opposing philosophies. I have chronic fluid on my left lung and the winter Dr wants me to see a thoracic surgeon down here for treatment. We see them next Tue, 23rd, for a consult. Am a little apprehensive about that and will not consent to any treatment unless first approved by our primary oncologist and thoracic surgeon. It’s necessary you remain proactive with your own care Loula and not afraid to question your Dr... Dancing with the oldies, Eh!! That sounds like fun, keep it up. Hang in there, your doing fine, ditto on the prayers and please keep us posted..

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Had the appt with a thoracic surgeon today. He was very open, honest and answered all of our questions. Long story short, he did not recommend pleurodesis because of the amount of fluid still on the lung after having the pleurx catheter in place since Dec 2019. He recommended the Mayo Clinic and consulting my primary med team upon returning to our home state. Nor did he recommend lung surgery because, in his words, you have beat the odds already, are doing great, so why take a chance of not getting off the operating table alive. Keep doing what you are doing!!! We were pleased with the consult.

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2 replies
Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Feb 24, 2021
In reply to @dutchw "Had the appt with a thoracic surgeon today. He was very open, honest and answered all..." + (show)
@dutchw

Had the appt with a thoracic surgeon today. He was very open, honest and answered all of our questions. Long story short, he did not recommend pleurodesis because of the amount of fluid still on the lung after having the pleurx catheter in place since Dec 2019. He recommended the Mayo Clinic and consulting my primary med team upon returning to our home state. Nor did he recommend lung surgery because, in his words, you have beat the odds already, are doing great, so why take a chance of not getting off the operating table alive. Keep doing what you are doing!!! We were pleased with the consult.

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@dutchw- Good morning. WOW, this is great for you. In essence, he's saying "why mess with what's working for you right now?" Travel safely and take care! Please keep coming back to Connect to stay in touch!

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1 reply
Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Feb 24, 2021
In reply to @loula "Hello I had the pet scan it went very well on Thursday I have the mri..." + (show)
@loula

Hello I had the pet scan it went very well on Thursday I have the mri then on the 3rd of March I will go and talk to the Hemo. doctor and find out what stage and if it has spread or in the brain, keeping in the fear not stage that everything is going to come back that it has not spread. How are you what is going on that you didn't feel well and hope you are doing better big hugs keep well you are always in my prayers.

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@loula- Am feeling well now. Thank you. You are so sweet. I'm glad that your PET scan went well. I always felt like you did after a scan. It's like getting back some of my power!

How do you deal with fear?

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dutchw | @dutchw | Feb 24, 2021
In reply to @merpreb "@dutchw- Good morning. WOW, this is great for you. In essence, he's saying "why mess with..." + (show)
@merpreb

@dutchw- Good morning. WOW, this is great for you. In essence, he's saying "why mess with what's working for you right now?" Travel safely and take care! Please keep coming back to Connect to stay in touch!

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Thanks Merry.. That’s exactly what he was saying. We were also concerned because of the fluid changing color to that of black coffee and were relieved when he suggested that was a good thing because the fluid is becoming more concentrated. We will be headed home in about 6 weeks, two more Keytruda infusions here first. Will stay in touch, I check connect almost daily..

REPLY
dutchw | @dutchw | Feb 24, 2021
In reply to @dutchw "Always hated waiting, so learned not to dwell on it. At this point its counterproductive. No,..." + (show)
@dutchw

Always hated waiting, so learned not to dwell on it. At this point its counterproductive. No, I didn’t seek a 2nd opinion.. I was fortunate enough to get the same oncologist that my wife has and we have full confidence in him, he’s our primary. He referred me to a thoracic surgeon and she verified the oncologists diagnosis, plus it was to advanced for surgery. We have a unusual situation, being snowbirds, we have and get treatments by two separate Drs with opposing philosophies. I have chronic fluid on my left lung and the winter Dr wants me to see a thoracic surgeon down here for treatment. We see them next Tue, 23rd, for a consult. Am a little apprehensive about that and will not consent to any treatment unless first approved by our primary oncologist and thoracic surgeon. It’s necessary you remain proactive with your own care Loula and not afraid to question your Dr... Dancing with the oldies, Eh!! That sounds like fun, keep it up. Hang in there, your doing fine, ditto on the prayers and please keep us posted..

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I have to make a correction here. The fluid and cancer is all on the right lung, not the left. I’m retired military so have always had trouble determining between my military or civilian right lol.. Sorry about that!!!

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