Lung Cancer Support Group: Looking for support from others

I hope you do not have to wait long to see the doctor and get all your questions answered.

I’m very comfortable with the group at John Stoddard. It is a small group which is perfect for Zoom so everyone can talk. It stays positive and supportive.

I spend a lot of time on Google searching for the Latin terms in radiology reports and often times I'm redirected to Mayo or Memorial Sloan Kettering, Moffitt, MD Anderson for a definition. I like to be informed before I have those conversations with my care team.

Tom- That's a lot of research! SOmetimes Latin words hold precious gems of fine-tuning a word!

I recently found out that I have another cancerous lesion. I will definitely check it out after I get everything settled with treatments. Thank you for sharing your information.

Did you find it as easy to open up there as it is here, on Connect?

Terri Wahls has written a lot about the microbiome, even though her issue is MS. She also has a good cookbook. I found both in the library. If you follow her on FB, there are plenty of free podcasts.

Wow! What can I do, if anything, about thinning hair? I know you will say it is the least of my worries, and you are right! I just have had no one address this problem. Is it only mine? I know about wigs and wiglettes, but is there a product that may restore hair to even near normal health?

Julliet- I'm afraid that you aren't going to like my answer. I'm afraid that this is one of the side effects of cancer treatments. You are far from alone on this. I do not know if there is a product to stop this. Nor do I know if it would be compatible with chemo or immunology.

A good friend of mine, when she was undergoing chemo for breast cancer, had another artist friend paint her head.

There are scarves, and caps with hair attached. You can cut your hair to a different length, color it something wild, and become a different person with a different look altogether.

And some women go all out:
https://www.self.com/story/lip-sync-chemotherapy
http://politicsandfashionblog.com/2020/10/14/i-refused-to-wear-a-wig-during-chemo-heres-why/
For women hair loss seems to tie in with our femininity. And I can understand this as I love long hair. My hair only thinned during chemo. But you can use any hair loss to make statements, show your pride in survivorship, make a political statement...any number of things.

If you joined a cancer support group maybe start things for your own rally!

This might not be your cup of tea but I found that being with people who are in your circumstance does a world of good, especially when you give people your knowledge.

So what do you think?

Merry

It's so good to hear from someone about this concern. I hate to even bring it up, because my medicine has been so successful during my Stage 4 Lung Cancer. I've been feeling so well and am able to live normally, But I have this problem. If I felt sick, I would not worry about such a trivial thing. I have lost hair texture but have been blessed with thick, short hair. I have lost hair in my bangs, which I am told is normal. I've really lost hair strand by strand, not in globs. I have headbands and turbans ready. I'm just interested in what others are doing. I have had so much care and support and encouragement. I wish others the same.

Hi! I started losing my hair about the 4th week og my chemo. My hair was thin to begin with and I've lost a fair amount but still not bald. I too have head gear ready to go. It's a weird in-between time. I am hoping mine grows back in different. My friend's hair was stick straight and grew back in kinda wavy/curly. Really cute. I have read some posts that say that we'll lose more after our 2nd treatment.

Good morning @zadah7. Unfortunately, you are correct. Usually the more chemo, the more there is hair loss. I'm glad that you have prepared for the eventuality. But remember that everyone is different, just like when hair regrows. You never know what you will see.

But it's exciting too. Just think, what color would you like to see? Red hair?