Living with lung cancer - Introduce yourself & come say hi

Welcome to the Lung Cancer group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet people living with lung cancer or caring for someone with lung cancer. Let's learn from each other and share stories about living well with cancer, coping with the challenges and offering tips.

I'm Colleen, and I'm the moderator of this group, and Community Director of Connect. Chances are you'll to be greeted by volunteer patient Mentors and fellow members when you post to this group. Learn more about Moderators and Mentors on Connect.

We look forward to welcoming you and introducing you to other members. Feel free to browse the topics or start a new one.
Let's chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?

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

@pixiedust

Hello all: visit with surgeon update! I met with the thoracic surgeon today and he further explained about the paratracheal lymph node. He is meeting on Friday with a team of other doctors as well as the oncologist and will further discuss my situation. Likely I will hear from the Onco either Friday or Monday to come up with a neoadjuvant treatment with platinum-based doublet (PT-DC) and immunotherapy before surgery. A PET scan would follow...if I'm not lit up, surgery would be an option after a rest period. If not a candidate for surgery, then he recommends concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by immunotherapy for at least 1 year. I found this surgeon to be very nice, as well as the Onco and the Pulmonologist - a great team. I am grateful that this has all happened so quickly and I can thank my Pulmonologist who really got the ball rolling.
Sandy aka Pixiedust

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Hi Sandy,
Where do you go for your oncology care?

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@nonobaddog

Hi Sandy,
Where do you go for your oncology care?

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I am seeing Dr. Bradley Switzer and he is with Reliant Medical Group (which is where most of my doctors are)...when I need the chemo/radiation I'm not sure where it will be yet..have not gotten to this point yet. I live in Holliston MA so it will need to be an infusion center that is close to my home!

Sandy

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@pixiedust

I am seeing Dr. Bradley Switzer and he is with Reliant Medical Group (which is where most of my doctors are)...when I need the chemo/radiation I'm not sure where it will be yet..have not gotten to this point yet. I live in Holliston MA so it will need to be an infusion center that is close to my home!

Sandy

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Thank you Sandy. They sound like they are well organized. I go to Mayo Clinic for my treatment and my care team has a similar makeup to yours.

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@lmd1

I was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in October. I never smoked but found out mine is caused by a gene mutation (EFGR). I had to have a tumor removed from the brain and then 3 targeted radiation treatments. . I am now taking Tagrisso. I’m trying to stay positive. Anyone else with a similar diagnosis?

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@lmd1, you may wish to also join this discussion:
– Has anyone taken the targeted therapy osimertinib (Tagrisso)? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chemo-tab/

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@ladycricket60

My lung cancer was a surprise.I had no symptoms but had a chest X-ray as I was going to have a watchman implanted in my heart for AFIB. It showed a mass of 3.4 c so thank god I decided to have the watchman.I am 80 years old and also have diabetes. They did a biopsy and yes it is cancer, started chemo on the 8 of February and the 15. I then have a week off and start over twice more. They will then do pet scan and hopefully surgery. Super tired and yeast infection under breasts. Very painful

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@ladycricket60, I can imagine getting the diagnosis of lung cancer was a surprise. When is it not, right? I hope the yeast infection under the breasts has cleared up. Did you have chemo this past week? How are you doing?

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@tomshepherd

I am in the diagnostic stage of mesothelioma, with entire left lung needing surgery. I have a video conference scheduled with Mayo in a week, following fluid drain and ct-pet scan last Thursday. A biopsy of pleural cavity is expected next, but must be just necessary confirmation. From my research I am expecting removal of that lung due to finding of mesothelioma. I have been an avid follower if this wonderful site,but haven’t seen anything on this type of cancer. Is there hope for a resolution anyone can share?

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Hi @tomshepherd, here is a short list of some of the discussions related to mesothelioma that may interest you:
- Any information on Biphasic mesothelioma response to immunotherapy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/any-information-on-biphasic-mesothelioma-response-to-immunotherapy/
- SMART protocol for mesothelioma https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/smart-protocol-for-mesothelioma/
- Treatment Options for Mesothelioma https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mesothelioma/

Tom, did you have your video consult? May I ask what you learned?

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@colleenyoung

Hi @tomshepherd, here is a short list of some of the discussions related to mesothelioma that may interest you:
- Any information on Biphasic mesothelioma response to immunotherapy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/any-information-on-biphasic-mesothelioma-response-to-immunotherapy/
- SMART protocol for mesothelioma https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/smart-protocol-for-mesothelioma/
- Treatment Options for Mesothelioma https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mesothelioma/

Tom, did you have your video consult? May I ask what you learned?

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HiColleen yes Friday. Good visit with surgeon, looking to be at Rochester early Wednesday for biopsy of pleura, said to be “studded” with mesothelioma areas, but so far not gone beyond the pleura. He will drain again and install a catheter so I can do that at home. However, the ultrasound guided needle drain shows a few pockets of fluid, so it’s complicated now. I will reply here once I have consulted with dr on that matter, not finding that on the drain/scan summary, done by a different person at Mayo. If it proceeds, have to await the outcome of the biopsy before further plans. I am getting maximum support from family and PCP. VERY encouraged being in the care of Mayo personnel, thanks for addressing my plight

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I was wanting to get a watchman as I haveAFIB and my Eloquis was costing me $300 for 2 months..Talked to heart doctor and had chest X-ray. This was in November and showed a 3.5 mass on upper left lobe.Since then I have had neumerous tests including pet scan breathing test and mri on brain plus lung biopsy. Saw a small lesion On my brain but could be a spot from a stroke I had a few years ago. Am having3 different types of chemo for a total of 6 times then mri and hopefully surgery

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@colleenyoung

@ladycricket60, I can imagine getting the diagnosis of lung cancer was a surprise. When is it not, right? I hope the yeast infection under the breasts has cleared up. Did you have chemo this past week? How are you doing?

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NoI had a low grade fever so had to goon antibiotic. Am scheduled for this Thursday again.

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The yeast infection was so very painful it was raw and blisters, fidget a salve prescribed for it that helped but scared it will come back again this week.

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