1. < Lung Cancer

Newly diagnosed with lung cancer. Never smoked. In shock....

Posted by aksinspringfield @aksinspringfield, May 29, 2022

hi all. my name is Amy. i am 56, non smoker, former triathlete, eat healthy.. etc..
had a high heart rate working out starting over a year ago. ignored it, as i thought i was just not in normal shape and i had reduced hard workouts because of hip pain. I developed a cough about 4 months ago. finally got a chest xray in late April... fast forward to now. stage 4.

first, i had no idea there was a "non smokers" lung cancer and that is could present with little or general symptoms.

i appreciate all of the advice on here about being patient- waiting is the worst! i have an A team of docs that i trust but they encouraged a second opinion, which isnt scheduled for 4 weeks.

any ideas on how to best prepare my body for chemo/immuno treatments? i am still working out and still eat pretty healthy. are there supplements , etc?

thank you
Amy

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

aksinspringfield | @aksinspringfield | Jun 10, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "Good morning Amy and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm sure that this was a huge..." + (show)
@merpreb

Good morning Amy and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm sure that this was a huge shock to you since you have never smoked. Hearing that you have cancer is a blow all by itself. I was 51 when I was first diagnosed and it is now 24+ years later. My cancer is different than yours.

Cancer has its own timetable, waiting to be the norm, your time is best spent doing exactly what you are doing. Exercise, but make sure that you walk when you get out of breath or begin coughing. Are you bringing up any blood?

Clean eating is the best and keeping busy until your next appointment. Have you had any bloodwork as yet? Other than a CT have you had an MRI or PET scan?

Jump to this post

In last 4 weeks i have had CT, PET, brain scan, ultrasound, mammogram, needle biopsy, wedge resection on right side and VATS to remove tumor and lower left lobe
They took blood a couple of times

Recovering from VATS now- much more painful than i expected- i am walking, but tire easily… seems to be common

Thanks for your comment! Im learning a lot on this site

REPLY
2 replies
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jun 10, 2022
In reply to @aksinspringfield "In last 4 weeks i have had CT, PET, brain scan, ultrasound, mammogram, needle biopsy, wedge..." + (show)
@aksinspringfield

In last 4 weeks i have had CT, PET, brain scan, ultrasound, mammogram, needle biopsy, wedge resection on right side and VATS to remove tumor and lower left lobe
They took blood a couple of times

Recovering from VATS now- much more painful than i expected- i am walking, but tire easily… seems to be common

Thanks for your comment! Im learning a lot on this site

Jump to this post

@aksinspringfield- I was shocked when I first tried to breathe! Then it got a lot easier. Lung surgery, no matter how it's done, is major and can be very invasive depending on where the tumor is. And recovery is very tiring. You've had chest surgery!

Keep putting one foot in front of the other! You sound like you are doing just great! As you heal more I'm sure that you can share your journey with others and be a part of this terrific group. Have you read other discussions in this group?

REPLY
1 reply
aksinspringfield | @aksinspringfield | Jun 11, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "@aksinspringfield- I was shocked when I first tried to breathe! Then it got a lot easier...." + (show)
@merpreb

@aksinspringfield- I was shocked when I first tried to breathe! Then it got a lot easier. Lung surgery, no matter how it's done, is major and can be very invasive depending on where the tumor is. And recovery is very tiring. You've had chest surgery!

Keep putting one foot in front of the other! You sound like you are doing just great! As you heal more I'm sure that you can share your journey with others and be a part of this terrific group. Have you read other discussions in this group?

Jump to this post

Good morning
Im still in a lot of pain from lobectomy surgery last monday:-( seems to getting worse, not better.
Every time i breath in its like knives in my shoulder area. Im working deep breathing but most of the time very shallow.

We bought an abdominal wrap, which helps some
Anyone have suggestions or insight as to how long yhe paon will last?

Thank you

REPLY
1 reply
aksinspringfield | @aksinspringfield | Jun 11, 2022
In reply to @merpreb "One mile is a lot, post surgery. Your lung does need to heal. Please take it..." + (show)
@merpreb

One mile is a lot, post surgery. Your lung does need to heal. Please take it easier! Build up to what you usually do.

Healing takes time.

But good for you!

Jump to this post

Yes,@merpren you are right.
I have found out the hard wsy that it gets worse before it gets better
My walks on Thursday didnt hurt at the time, but i think set me back pain wise
Every breath hurts now.
Ill get thru it - hopefully sooner rather than later
Thanks!
Amy

REPLY
1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jun 11, 2022
In reply to @aksinspringfield "Yes,@merpren you are right. I have found out the hard wsy that it gets worse before..." + (show)
@aksinspringfield

Yes,@merpren you are right.
I have found out the hard wsy that it gets worse before it gets better
My walks on Thursday didnt hurt at the time, but i think set me back pain wise
Every breath hurts now.
Ill get thru it - hopefully sooner rather than later
Thanks!
Amy

Jump to this post

Amy- May I suggest that you call your pulmonologist and get the pain checked out, just to make sure? Pain should have diminished, not increased.

After my first lobectomy, I felt so good by Thanksgiving-a good month or so after it and lifted something after holiday shopping. I actually broke a rib!

Better safe than sorry- please don't think that I am suggesting that you have hurt yourself or done anything wrong. It's just a precaution.

WHat do you think?

REPLY
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jun 11, 2022
In reply to @aksinspringfield "Good morning Im still in a lot of pain from lobectomy surgery last monday:-( seems to..." + (show)
@aksinspringfield

Good morning
Im still in a lot of pain from lobectomy surgery last monday:-( seems to getting worse, not better.
Every time i breath in its like knives in my shoulder area. Im working deep breathing but most of the time very shallow.

We bought an abdominal wrap, which helps some
Anyone have suggestions or insight as to how long yhe paon will last?

Thank you

Jump to this post

Lung surgery is tough and you have to rest and really take it easy. I'm not sure an abdominal wrap is safe because like a chest wrap it could cause restriction in breathing. I made a suggestion in another post before I saw this.

Amy, you are just out of surgery! A lot of people are very surprised by how much it takes out of you. Not only has your chest been invaded but you've had a lot of strong medications that you aren't used to.

Do you have pain medication?

REPLY
aksinspringfield | @aksinspringfield | Jun 11, 2022

Yes, many medications- i tried to wean off too soon i think

Ill ask my doc about abdominal wrap, thanks!
I just wanted support for when i cough
Patience is not my strong suit but after reading comments, it seems like it may take longer than i thought to recover

Thanks again!
You are amazing with the prompt replies!

REPLY
1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jun 11, 2022
In reply to @aksinspringfield "Yes, many medications- i tried to wean off too soon i think Ill ask my doc..." + (show)
@aksinspringfield

Yes, many medications- i tried to wean off too soon i think

Ill ask my doc about abdominal wrap, thanks!
I just wanted support for when i cough
Patience is not my strong suit but after reading comments, it seems like it may take longer than i thought to recover

Thanks again!
You are amazing with the prompt replies!

Jump to this post

Ha, ha. I just happen to be on Connect. As the mentor of the lung cancer group and a mentor supporter for other groups, I take responding very seriously. I never had a Connect. I never had anyone to turn to who felt at ease and who was able or willing to talk about cancer or lung cancer. A lot has changed!

REPLY
dedehans | @dedehans | Jun 11, 2022
In reply to @aksinspringfield "In last 4 weeks i have had CT, PET, brain scan, ultrasound, mammogram, needle biopsy, wedge..." + (show)
@aksinspringfield

In last 4 weeks i have had CT, PET, brain scan, ultrasound, mammogram, needle biopsy, wedge resection on right side and VATS to remove tumor and lower left lobe
They took blood a couple of times

Recovering from VATS now- much more painful than i expected- i am walking, but tire easily… seems to be common

Thanks for your comment! Im learning a lot on this site

Jump to this post

If the doctor prescribed painkillers (hydrocodone) TAKE THEM!!! Makes it easier to to all the walking and moving you MUST do to recover faster. Pain is so stressful and stress inhibits healing so take them for a while til it gets a bit easier. Then do what i did, switch to Margaritas. Keep us posted.

REPLY
1 reply
aksinspringfield | @aksinspringfield | Jun 11, 2022
In reply to @dedehans "If the doctor prescribed painkillers (hydrocodone) TAKE THEM!!! Makes it easier to to all the walking..." + (show)
@dedehans

If the doctor prescribed painkillers (hydrocodone) TAKE THEM!!! Makes it easier to to all the walking and moving you MUST do to recover faster. Pain is so stressful and stress inhibits healing so take them for a while til it gets a bit easier. Then do what i did, switch to Margaritas. Keep us posted.

Jump to this post

Ha! Love that!
Im taking everything now- hate to but it is necessary

Thank you’

REPLY
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