Symptoms of stage 4 lung cancer - diagnosed 1 month ago

@sksnow- Good morning! I'm always up for great news, and yours is the best!

I'm so glad that you and your team are on the ball in preparation for your treatments! I wish you the best!

Merry

Thank you! This group has been a godsend for me. I feel like I’m out wandering alone on a dirt road in the dark surrounded by all kinds of scary sounds lol. It’s comforting to know there are others out here with me.
I whimpered and you answered….thank you.
Will absolutely keep you posted and Im always praying for everyone.

Thank you for mentioning the hoarseness. I'm stage 3a and live with it daily. I'm hoping when I start treatment on the 15th it will get better. I've been on trilogy inhaler and thought perhaps it was creating the hoarseness. I've skipped a few days using the inhaler and still no change. I believe now it's just part of my lung cancer.

Linda

Good morning, @benz76. I'm also on trilogy. It's very important to rinse your mouth after using your inhaler. I rinse twice. Has anyone ever advised you to do this?

You don't mention anything about your history with lung cancer. Do you mind telling us about your journey so far?

Merry

Good evening
Yes I gargle and rinse twice. I make sureit's for at least 30 seconds on each.
My journey started September 27th. I finally was taking time out from taking care of everyone and attend to my health issue. I had put off back surgery for at least 5 yrs. I'd reached the point that walking was not an option for shopping. We cruise often and I could no longer leave the ship. Standing firm I was going to get my surgery. The surgeon requested the usual prior to my surgery a blood test and chest X-ray. I received a call from my primary five days before our cruise that I needed a CAT scan due to seeing a mass on the X-ray. The scan came back confirming the mass. I opted to go to Mayo Clinic for my care. To date I've had 3 biopsies which have all returned with not enough tissue. Besides the mass in the upper left lung one lymph node is involved by the esophagas making surgery impossible. Monday I start proton therapy and like I said Tuesday chemo. I can do all the discomfort, and illness but for me it's.....my hair. Kudos to all the women who made and will make the sacrifice of their hair. Not sure how I will get through this step!

Linda

Good evening
Yes I gargle and rinse twice. I make sureit's for at least 30 seconds on each.
My journey started September 27th. I finally was taking time out from taking care of everyone and attend to my health issue. I had put off back surgery for at least 5 yrs. I'd reached the point that walking was not an option for shopping. We cruise often and I could no longer leave the ship. Standing firm I was going to get my surgery. The surgeon requested the usual prior to my surgery a blood test and chest X-ray. I received a call from my primary five days before our cruise that I needed a CAT scan due to seeing a mass on the X-ray. The scan came back confirming the mass. I opted to go to Mayo Clinic for my care. To date I've had 3 biopsies which have all returned with not enough tissue. Besides the mass in the upper left lung one lymph node is involved by the esophagas making surgery impossible. Monday I start proton therapy and like I said Tuesday chemo. I can do all the discomfort, and illness but for me it's.....my hair. Kudos to all the women who made and will make the sacrifice of their hair. Not sure how I will get through this step!

Linda

Hi @benz76, I’m hoping that you’ll get to cruise again once you get through treatment! I’ve been on several cruises and always want to go back.
If that lymph node is placing pressure on the esophagus, that may be contributing to your hoarseness. With the upcoming proton therapy, it may take some time to see relief, but there may be hope long term that your voice will return to full force. When I was diagnosed I was still working, and had to stop leading meetings because I could not talk without spasms and a hoarseness to my voice. The lymph nodes in my chest were the cause.

Here is an article regarding ‘cold caps’ . I’m not sure if you have time to look into this before you start treatment.
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Cold cap therapy can reduce hair loss caused by chemotherapy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/cancer-education-center/newsfeed-post/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-cold-cap-therapy-can-reduce-hair-loss-caused-by-chemotherapy-1/
- A related discussion: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chemo-cold-cap/
Has your oncologist talked about your specific chemo and dose, have they told you to expect hair loss?

Thank you for your response and information. The doctor told me the type I do remember there are two. I've been in a block mode I find I have trouble remembering and now just do what they schedule me for. Perhaps better said denial. The good news is chemo is 6 treatments and proton is 6 weeks. The bad news immunotherapy for a year. Hopefully my body behaves and I can do the full treatment plan.

We did discuss the cold cap. I watched many videos on people who have tried the cap and still lost their hair. My doctor did say it adds time to treatment day and since we live out of town less is best. Not to mention there is no place like home! So I will become a member of the brave women who did their journey with dignity.

Thank you for your response and information. The doctor told me the type I do remember there are two. I've been in a block mode I find I have trouble remembering and now just do what they schedule me for. Perhaps better said denial. The good news is chemo is 6 treatments and proton is 6 weeks. The bad news immunotherapy for a year. Hopefully my body behaves and I can do the full treatment plan.

We did discuss the cold cap. I watched many videos on people who have tried the cap and still lost their hair. My doctor did say it adds time to treatment day and since we live out of town less is best. Not to mention there is no place like home! So I will become a member of the brave women who did their journey with dignity.