Hi Amy @aksinspringfield ,

My name is Juliette. I’m so sorry you to hear what you are going through. The waiting to get results and start a treatment plan is so hard.
At 45 I was ignoring some similar minor symptoms. I did hard workouts and had noticed my heart racing and I was struggling to keep a good pace running but thought I was just tired, or it was the heat, etc. I ate healthy and had always exercised. December if 2019 at my annual doctor visit I found out I was anemic and in an x-ray for a GI referral they saw the tumor in my right lung. The anemia turned out to be unrelated to the cancer - I was also diagnosed with celiac disease. I received a lung cancer diagnosis December 26, 2019.

I have had all my treatments and surgery at Mayo even though I live in Des Moines. You said your second opinion is in 4 weeks. I have learned to be my own advocate with appointments which is completely not my personality. Always kind and patient with whoever I am dealing with but persistent. Asking about cancellations, helping get records they need to review, etc. One of my initial appointments at Mayo was scheduled 3-4 weeks out but a nice scheduler offered to email the radiation oncology team and one of the doctors worked me in weeks sooner. Also, a cancer foundation near you may be able to help. Where I live Above and Beyond Cancer has a cancer center ran through an endowment that can get referrals for you for doctors. It is ran by an oncologist. You may have something like that where you live that can assist you.

I would also get connected with an oncology social worker. They are a wealth of information as to programs you may qualify for. The one I work with can help with disability applications if you decide to apply, dietitian, support groups, etc.

Enroll the support of a close friend or family member to find out about these things. They want to help and will love an assignment. My husband and best friend found these things for me, I was too overwhelmed to tackle it all.

I worked out throughout chemo and radiation. My oncologist told me it was good to continue working out, just not to work out to the point of being sore and being in recovery mode.

I have the EGFR Exon 19 mutation. As mentioned by others you will want genetic mapping done of your tumor biopsy if not already being done.

You asked about supplements. I recently saw an Integrated MD and wish I had gone to him sooner. Depending on your treatment plan some supplements interfere so just make sure you tell your oncologist what you are taking. My Integrated MD is the one that suspected celiac which I just got a diagnosis for at Mayo last month. They are helpful to look at the whole picture of your health instead of just one aspect. Mine worked at our local hospital for 30 years and supports traditional medicine. He has been a great help to me.

Please let me know if I can answer anything else.

Take care,
Juliette