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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@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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So happy for you, stay safe and healthy and keep us informed.

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Hi @loula. I was thinking of you and thought I would check in to see how things are going. More specifically, how are you doing in the waiting? How are you feeling as information and answers start coming together? Nancy

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Hello Nancy, you are so nice to ask how I am doing, Tomorrow is the big day I go to the Hemo Dr. and find out the results of the Pet scan and MRI and then find out what treatments are right for me, I tried not thinking about it that I still am in control of my life and it hasn't changed yet! but the last couple days my head feels like remember those spinning tin tops that is how I feel and I can't get it to stop! you can only read so much and then it is time for a cocktail, sure hope I get some good news that it has not spread to brain or bones . oh my cocktails are orange juice haven't drank in 20 yrs and no smoking for 3 yrs, hope they can figure out a treatment that does not upset my red blood count I also have MDS of the red count only. How are you doing hope you are feeling fine and big hugs for thinking about me.

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@loula

Hello Nancy, you are so nice to ask how I am doing, Tomorrow is the big day I go to the Hemo Dr. and find out the results of the Pet scan and MRI and then find out what treatments are right for me, I tried not thinking about it that I still am in control of my life and it hasn't changed yet! but the last couple days my head feels like remember those spinning tin tops that is how I feel and I can't get it to stop! you can only read so much and then it is time for a cocktail, sure hope I get some good news that it has not spread to brain or bones . oh my cocktails are orange juice haven't drank in 20 yrs and no smoking for 3 yrs, hope they can figure out a treatment that does not upset my red blood count I also have MDS of the red count only. How are you doing hope you are feeling fine and big hugs for thinking about me.

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Good luck Nancy. Praying your news is all good. Regardless, we’re hear for you.

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@loula

Hello Nancy, you are so nice to ask how I am doing, Tomorrow is the big day I go to the Hemo Dr. and find out the results of the Pet scan and MRI and then find out what treatments are right for me, I tried not thinking about it that I still am in control of my life and it hasn't changed yet! but the last couple days my head feels like remember those spinning tin tops that is how I feel and I can't get it to stop! you can only read so much and then it is time for a cocktail, sure hope I get some good news that it has not spread to brain or bones . oh my cocktails are orange juice haven't drank in 20 yrs and no smoking for 3 yrs, hope they can figure out a treatment that does not upset my red blood count I also have MDS of the red count only. How are you doing hope you are feeling fine and big hugs for thinking about me.

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@loula Thanks for asking. I am doing well. Like the rest of the world I am grateful to be in the process of getting vaccines.
It sounds to me like you are doing just fine. I have one thing to mention from your reply. You say that being in control of your life “hasn’t changed yet”. Just know that it doesn’t have to change. You will always be in charge of the treatment options that are given to you. That does not mean decisions will be easy or comfortable, but just make sure they are always informed. I look forward to hearing from you again. Peace, Nancy

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@1nan

@loula Thanks for asking. I am doing well. Like the rest of the world I am grateful to be in the process of getting vaccines.
It sounds to me like you are doing just fine. I have one thing to mention from your reply. You say that being in control of your life “hasn’t changed yet”. Just know that it doesn’t have to change. You will always be in charge of the treatment options that are given to you. That does not mean decisions will be easy or comfortable, but just make sure they are always informed. I look forward to hearing from you again. Peace, Nancy

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Hello Nancy, Well yesterday was my day with the Doctor to find out results, He said my MRI came back no brain tumors , but the Pet scan showed two spots on my liver that they want to do a biopsy of. I am stage 4 because of this, they will put a port in my chest when I go for the biopsy, But next Tuesday I go and talk to someone about the chemo. Injections that start next Wednesday, Taxol,Carboplatin, Keytruda. I believe it is four rounds of that but not sure will check on that. Then when that is over I will stay on Keytrurda and see how that works out for me, the checkout lady told me that these Injections usually take 6 hours. I ask about survival and it is incurable 1 to 1 1/2yrs but if the chemo and keytruda work as they are hoping then maybe longer really do not know. So I am in shock a lot to absorb and if anyone has any information on Taxol, Carboplatin, Keytruda please fill me in on it. it is going to take a lot of adjusting to this but I am not going to give up as long as I am able to take care of myself I have a good cat named Floyd he is 3 yrs old, and keeps me happy, I will fight this and give it my all. I think it is the shock of the doctor telling me yes this is going to be what kills you eventually. There is always going to be something that kills us so we all are in the same boat, not the best news to get but I am alive and going to try my best to get through this.
Stay Safe and Healthy.
Cynde

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@loula

Hello Nancy, Well yesterday was my day with the Doctor to find out results, He said my MRI came back no brain tumors , but the Pet scan showed two spots on my liver that they want to do a biopsy of. I am stage 4 because of this, they will put a port in my chest when I go for the biopsy, But next Tuesday I go and talk to someone about the chemo. Injections that start next Wednesday, Taxol,Carboplatin, Keytruda. I believe it is four rounds of that but not sure will check on that. Then when that is over I will stay on Keytrurda and see how that works out for me, the checkout lady told me that these Injections usually take 6 hours. I ask about survival and it is incurable 1 to 1 1/2yrs but if the chemo and keytruda work as they are hoping then maybe longer really do not know. So I am in shock a lot to absorb and if anyone has any information on Taxol, Carboplatin, Keytruda please fill me in on it. it is going to take a lot of adjusting to this but I am not going to give up as long as I am able to take care of myself I have a good cat named Floyd he is 3 yrs old, and keeps me happy, I will fight this and give it my all. I think it is the shock of the doctor telling me yes this is going to be what kills you eventually. There is always going to be something that kills us so we all are in the same boat, not the best news to get but I am alive and going to try my best to get through this.
Stay Safe and Healthy.
Cynde

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Hi,
I have recurrent endometrial cancer and relieving Carbo-Taxol chemo every 3 weeks. No Keytruda at this time.
I do ice my feet and hands for the three hours of Taxol to try to keep from getting neuropathy. I didn’t do it the first time, we did the second and third time and it helped me immensely.
Also, I would ask for a prescription for nausea just in case.
And any other tips for just in case.
Drink lots of fluids all day and night when you wake up to per, take a sip.
I hope this helps

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@miriam57

Hi,
I have recurrent endometrial cancer and relieving Carbo-Taxol chemo every 3 weeks. No Keytruda at this time.
I do ice my feet and hands for the three hours of Taxol to try to keep from getting neuropathy. I didn’t do it the first time, we did the second and third time and it helped me immensely.
Also, I would ask for a prescription for nausea just in case.
And any other tips for just in case.
Drink lots of fluids all day and night when you wake up to per, take a sip.
I hope this helps

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Fat fingers, when you wake up to pee

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@miriam57

Hi,
I have recurrent endometrial cancer and relieving Carbo-Taxol chemo every 3 weeks. No Keytruda at this time.
I do ice my feet and hands for the three hours of Taxol to try to keep from getting neuropathy. I didn’t do it the first time, we did the second and third time and it helped me immensely.
Also, I would ask for a prescription for nausea just in case.
And any other tips for just in case.
Drink lots of fluids all day and night when you wake up to per, take a sip.
I hope this helps

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thanks for the tip - so just put some ice in a tub and put your feet in there and how bout ice in plastic gloves for hands, do you do this before you go for a treatment or afterwards? does the carbo-Taxol make you sick are you able to make your own dinner and take a shower or our you to sick they told me about anti nausea meds, I m wondering if you are able to live a normal life after this injection it is all so new so all the news you can tell me please do. Fat fingers when you wake up how long does that last? Miriam hope I am not going on and on but I sure can use any info you can give me. I will get 4 treatments I believe 3 weeks apart.

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@loula

thanks for the tip - so just put some ice in a tub and put your feet in there and how bout ice in plastic gloves for hands, do you do this before you go for a treatment or afterwards? does the carbo-Taxol make you sick are you able to make your own dinner and take a shower or our you to sick they told me about anti nausea meds, I m wondering if you are able to live a normal life after this injection it is all so new so all the news you can tell me please do. Fat fingers when you wake up how long does that last? Miriam hope I am not going on and on but I sure can use any info you can give me. I will get 4 treatments I believe 3 weeks apart.

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I go to Mayo in Jacksonville, Fl. Bring 1 gallon baggies for each foot and one to put both hands to wrap around like a heating pad. and the nurses there fill them up and wrap up. I have someone with me, so when I need to go to the bathroom, he takes them off and puts them back on. You wear thin socks. When it gets too cold I take them off fora few minutes and then put them back off. You do this as soon as they start dripping the Taxol. Mine is a three hour infusion. Followed by Carbo. The nausea medication to have on hand when your home. Some people get nausea and you want to be on top of that. I haven’t had that yet. Will you be able to cook dinner, some people can. Many people still work through all this. My first week is fatigue, hard to get up , little appetite, but I eat small meals to keep up my strength whether I am hungry. I learned from this group about nutritional drinks and protein drinks from Orgain, they sell it at Walmart, grocery stores etc. I drink the protein drink or nutritional drink, one a day to keep my body going.
Fat fingers was just a term, about hitting the wrong letters on the keyboard, lol.
I don’t plan much of anything the first week, snack and nap. Week 2 and three are better.
Prepare meals ahead of time to heat and eat. Otherwise, chicken noodle soup etc. you will find you have cravings and that will be the only thing that sounds good.
I hope this gives you some idea. I am not on Keytruda, so I don’t know how that will impact the other two.

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