Newly diagnosed with lung cancer

Posted by grandmaR @grandmar, Sep 12, 2020

Hi All!
My name is Ronnie. I am 65 years old and was diagnosed with lung cancer almost 2 weeks ago. Last Monday, I had surgery.

About 7 years ago during a hospital stay (unrelated), nodules were spotted on a chest x-ray. There was one on my left bottom lung that was larger than the others. I was told it was currently nothing but to keep an eye on it. For the next 7 years I had a CAT scan every 6-12 months. Due to circumstances, including (but not limited to) COVID, I was late with my check-up. About 2 months ago, I started with a new pulmonologist. He ordered the CAT scan. The report concluded that additional testing was suggested because of the larger nodule. With my history of early Melanoma 3 years ago, and the death of my mother from lung cancer, my doctor agreed.

After fighting with the insurance company for over 2 weeks, they finally approved the PET Scan. The PET scan agreed with the CAT Scan report about the cancer. I had 2 consults and decided to go with the doctor from a cancer center. I was given 2 treatment choices, radiation for 5 days or surgery. I opted for surgery. The surgery was done robotically. The nodule was removed and so were lymph nodes (I think 5). This coming Wednesday I see the surgeon for the results of the pathology report and for an action plan. If the surgeon was correct in his diagnoses, no other treatment will be needed. I should just have to be checked regularly (to be determined), exercise to keep my lungs healthy, eat right and be cautious.

Now, other than the incision for the chest tube, there are 2 incisions between my ribs. one is to the left of my left breast. I assume that is where he went in for the lymph node. Since surgery, my breast (on the left side) has been very painful and the pain goes around to my back. The intensity chances. Some days I feel pretty good, but days like today, I actually needed a pain pill (which I haven't taken since day 2 after surgery). Have any of you experienced the same sort of thing after surgery?

I pray for each and every one of us to have a positive outcome from our surgeries and treatments.
Bless us all!

GRANDMAr (Ronnie)

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diana5 | @diana5 | Aug 25, 2023

Hi Merry, Thank you for your words, and advice. What gets me through at scary times? My faith in God, I pray and ask for Him to guide me and my doctors. We all want to have control, and this is a time when we don’t have it. Not easy for sure. My kids are definitely the reason why I’ll endure whatever is coming my way. Music is always how I relaxed, so I’ll continue to do that. Thanks again for your words!

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 3, 2023

In reply to @diana5 "Hi Merry, Thank you for your words, and advice. What gets me through at scary times?..." + (show)

@diana5, how are you doing today? Do you have a date for surgery?

mattey741 | @mattey741 | Sep 4, 2023

Hi Ronnie just to wish you every recovery. You are a very brave person. Matt.

diana5 | @diana5 | Sep 4, 2023

In reply to @colleenyoung "@diana5, how are you doing today? Do you have a date for surgery?" + (show)

Hi Colleen,
I’m doing well, thank you. Yes, I have a date 9/20, though with the last PET/CT scan the doctors found a small mass .6 in my head, and a .8 nodule in my left adrenal gland. I had an MRI with and without contrast of my head, and I’m sure I’ll hear from my doctor on Tuesday. Follow up blood tests for the adrenal nodule as well. My doctor said these are not related to the carcinoid tumor in my left lung. So, we’re going forward with the lung surgery. Thank you for checking on me!

whahoo | @whahoo | Sep 4, 2023

I think what you’re feeling is normal. The rib cage pain could be nerve pain. The surgeon has to disturb a lot of nerves. I was put in Lyrica (generic) for about 4 weeks after surgery to help with the nerve pain. Talk to your surgeon.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 4, 2023

In reply to @diana5 "Hi Merry, Thank you for your words, and advice. What gets me through at scary times?..." + (show)

Diana- You are more than welcome! I think that kids are an excellent reason to do anything, even endure very scary times. One of the reasons that I quit smoking after 35 years, cold turkey was because of my son. Then it was for me.

Merry

Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Sep 25, 2023

In reply to @diana5 "Hi Colleen, I’m doing well, thank you. Yes, I have a date 9/20, though with the..." + (show)

Hi @diana5, I hope you are doing well. You may even be post-surgery by now, if all went as planned. I've been getting regular CT scans for over 3 years now, and I'm often surprised at what shows up. I've had nodules on my adrenal gland show up and then disappear a few scans later. I hope your nodules are nothing of concern. Did you have the surgery?, how are you doing with recovery?

diana5 | @diana5 | Sep 25, 2023

In reply to @lls8000 "Hi @diana5, I hope you are doing well. You may even be post-surgery by now, if..." + (show)

Hi, I did had my surgery as planned on the 20th, and everything went well. My dr tried to do a section, but at the end went with the original plan of removing my left lower lobe. He was afraid of not taking enough lymph nodes. I was released the day after (less than 36 hrs since going in), because I had no fever, or any issues, and I’ve been home since. I’m doing my breathing exercises, and trying to take it slow, but my personality struggles with that. We have done nothing with the nodule on my adrenal gland, but the plan is to do an MRI soon, to determine what it is. I’ve been told by another dr, and radiologist, that if there is fat in it, it’s nothing to worry about. So I’m hoping when I get the MRI, the nodule is a fat girl/boy, ha ha. Thank you for checking on me! Really appreciate it. ❤️

thieschafer | @thieschafer | Sep 26, 2023

You seem to have a really good attitude. It is normal to worry about the issues that come up around the main event. I wish you the best of luck going forward. Everyday, I consider myself lucky that my adenocarcinoma was found and removed.