Confused: Lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis and more

Posted by shamrock5jeg @shamrock5jeg, May 4, 2021

New to this forum. Actually, never tried any type of forum so I really don't know what I'm doing. Anyhow, after reading some of the posts I guess I am not so bad off. I have lung cancer in my right lung, pulmonary fibrosis, peripheral neuropathy, chronic pancreatitis and just developed shingles last week. Am treating skin cancer on my forehead with fluorouracil cream. Need more radiation for Basel cell on my neck. Left lung cancer was treated with SBRT and is "cured".Right lung is not being treated due to the fibrosis. Still function pretty good, Only take 4 meds. Walking is the biggest problem. Want to dance again, walk, climb stairs, drive a stick shift. Want my legs Back! Sorry I rambled on. My heart goes out the others I read about. Wish they could solve all the problems, it hurts to me to read their stories and makes mine so trivial.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer Support Group.

shamrock5jeg | @shamrock5jeg | May 5, 2021

In reply to @merpreb "@shamrock5jeg - WHy not a dancing class?" + (show)

Great idea! Need to check around. Need to say thanks to all. Been a help already.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | May 5, 2021

In reply to @shamrock5jeg "I only have lung cancer and no hospice. @merprep I live alone in a house that..." + (show)

Oh, dear. I didn't realize that you meant that your daughters had died also. I suspected but wasn't sure. I am so so sorry for this loss of yours. Your grief must have felt horrendous at the time. And I'm sure that it's a weight that you still carry--too much for any man. You mentioned I think, that you took 4 medicines. Do they help with your breathing?

shamrock5jeg | @shamrock5jeg | May 5, 2021

In reply to @merpreb "Oh, dear. I didn't realize that you meant that your daughters had died also. I suspected..." + (show)

@merpreb. One for bp (under control) methylprednosolone for copd, creon for pancreatitis and inhaler for copd. Helps the breathing but really messed up my voice. Been 5 years of being alone with memories and heartache. It never ends.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | May 5, 2021

In reply to @shamrock5jeg "@merpreb. One for bp (under control) methylprednosolone for copd, creon for pancreatitis and inhaler for copd...." + (show)

No, it never ends. I use Trelegy for COPD and my lung cancer. It's excellent. I think that it's pretty new.

shamrock5jeg | @shamrock5jeg | May 5, 2021

In reply to @merpreb "No, it never ends. I use Trelegy for COPD and my lung cancer. It's excellent. I..." + (show)

I use Breztri plus a rescue inhaler. (Albuterol) Trelegy did not work. I hope are staying well. Need more exercise if I could just breathe.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 5, 2021

In reply to @shamrock5jeg "I use Breztri plus a rescue inhaler. (Albuterol) Trelegy did not work. I hope are staying..." + (show)

My Mom, who had asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, heart failure and arthritis and had a stroke had a technique that worked for her. First of all, early on she used a cane, later a walker. She would walk until she felt quite short of breath, lean on the cane or walker to rest, then decide whether to walk a little farther, or to turn for home (this was in the halls of her building in latter days.) She tried to do it 3 times a day. She managed to VERY slowly build her ability to walk, until she could go 2 full blocks.
I used the same technique when recuperating from severe pneumonia in 2018. My first walk was only to the mailbox and back - 100 feet total. Within a few months I could walk a mile on a good day.
You might not get as much progress with your COPD, but a little at a time I bet you would see progress. By challenging your lungs, you might be surprised
Sue
PS - I always have my rescue inhaler in my pocket when I walk.

shamrock5jeg | @shamrock5jeg | May 5, 2021

In reply to @sueinmn "My Mom, who had asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, heart failure and arthritis and had a stroke had..." + (show)

Sounds good, only problem I have to drive 6 miles to find level land and sidewalks, driveway is all downhill (1/4 mile). Wish I could walk up it. Will try your suggestion somehow. Country living is great....sometimes! Thank you.

otter2154 | @otter2154 | May 5, 2021

In reply to @shamrock5jeg "Sounds good, only problem I have to drive 6 miles to find level land and sidewalks,..." + (show)

If you lived in northwest Atlanta, we’d stop by and take you out to dinner!

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | May 5, 2021

In reply to @shamrock5jeg "I use Breztri plus a rescue inhaler. (Albuterol) Trelegy did not work. I hope are staying..." + (show)

Have you tried pursed-lip breathing? It's awkward at first but after a while, you learn to get deep breaths into the lower part of your lung (s), hence more O2 to breathe easier.https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/patient-resources-and-videos/pursed-lip-breathing-video. It made a big difference to me.