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1 cm lung cancer tumor with COPD & emphysema: Anxious

Posted by franki24 @franki24, Jan 11 6:26pm

Hi: I am 75 years old and recently diagnosed with emphysema copd and 1 cm nodule that grew 1mm since last year and solidified. I had a pet scan that proved positive for cancer.
My pcp is optimistic that a VATS will take care of the growth as he has determined the copd and emphysema are mild. I typically walk 2 miles mostly up hill almost everyday and am able to breathe quite easily and do all that I need to do.
I am hopefully having a video visit with UPMC surgeon who is highly respected

I am experiencing extreme general anxiety and have been reading many of the comments on here and so appreciate all of you writing about your concerns,success and troubles.

Thank you

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franki24 | @franki24 | Feb 12 5:18pm
In reply to @gustavo1975 "@franki24 Hello Franco, I have read all your comments, like everyone's, I wisha all of you..." + (show)
@gustavo1975

@franki24 Hello Franco, I have read all your comments, like everyone's, I wisha all of you a speedy recovery.

Franco, you are one step away from surgery, I wish you with all my heart that you get better, you are very kind and empathetic with everyone. Please keep us informed as it went, but take care of yourself first. Hugs to all, Gustavo from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Sorry if there are any verbs wrongly conjugated, use google translate to write

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Gustavo, my gentle friend. The surgery was done with precision and skill. It was thorough and efficient. Most importantly it was successful and I am well. I am up walking without oxygen. The people on the staff of this hospital are as lovely, kind and caring as anyone would hope.

Ciao Bello Gustavo.

Il tuo amico

Franco

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franki24 | @franki24 | Feb 12 5:41pm
In reply to @gustavo1975 "Hello Frank. It makes me very happy to read you and even happier to know that..." + (show)
@gustavo1975

Hello Frank. It makes me very happy to read you and even happier to know that the procedure went well.

Here in my country there is a painkiller called Tramadol for this type of post-surgical pain, I'm going to find out the drug or compound perhaps and they will probably have it available there as well.

I send you a big hug, and we are thinking of you. Keep recovering, we stay in touch. Big hug.

Gustavo (sorry for my English)

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I love big hugs. Thank you. We have used that drug and stopped as it didn't bring relief. The anesthetic team here worked out a wonderful solution and I am feeling like a young man again.

They gave a continuously running drip of lidocaine with other pills and it works like a charm. I am in good hands here.

Ciao Bello. Let me know you are ok.

Franco

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dedehans | @dedehans | Feb 13 7:38am
In reply to @loulou2023 "Amen!,,, Don’t you love doctors who can’t stay in their lane!!!!! I was having a lot..." + (show)
@loulou2023

Amen!,,, Don’t you love doctors who can’t stay in their lane!!!!!
I was having a lot of problems with a high rate and my oncologist chalked it up chemo radiation. after 3 months I said refer to a cardiologist. Maybe it was more than his obvious assumption. They did tests on me::::all good but did start me on med that worked on my heart rate.
Fast forward to now ….problems with shortness of breath. yes I have food copd confirmed with Pft 2 years ago. Anyway,what does my oncologist do?.. Puts me on dexa, saline inhalation for my nebulizer. Does he tell me to go my pulmonologist……nope!,,,
he is a great oncologist……NOT a pulmonologist,,,
I questioned him and he said that most patients want him to treat them for all their comorbidities not just their cancer. I think that’s so wrong. What everis wrong is the patient they should see a doctor for whatever is wrong with him .I think it’s really important to separate out your different issues even if your doctor seems to think that he wants to take them all on as ifhe is a trained in all these other specialties. Become a soapbox issue for me because I’m also suffering right now they told me from Malnourishment, so what do they do? They send in someone and tells me I should go home and make myself a smoothie do things like that? Absolutely no help no menu no no clue what to cook how to put on weight. Losing muscle mass no help with that. I came home in the more I thought about it is piss me off. I have an appointment with my regular GP who I’ve had for years on Wednesday. I need to get with the dietitian. I need to get with PT and start doing some kind of therapy to build up his muscle before I lose more. Mention any of that to me nope. Scary thing is I’m in EmoryCancer Center, Winship Cancer Center in Atlanta.

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You sound like me. Wait and see on new nodule in right lung with ground glass opacity CT scan in April but meanwhile still fighting off 3 weeks with flu and a loss of 5 lbs and no recommendations but "eat" more on how to get it back. I am/was a Zumba instructor. Good luck to you LouLou and send any new suggestions that may recently have been magic.

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franki24 | @franki24 | Feb 13 8:34pm

So today was the day after surgery for my VATS resection. One of the nurses who has worked in ICU for 24 years told me I was the first patient she has ever seen leave ICU DRESSED and walking. The entire staff was basically stunned thay I walked out ICU to transfer to a hospital room for one night and then be released some time tomorrow. I have been walking around talking visiting with friends and staff. I have minor pain. Tolerable pain.
This experience, without going in to too much detail, has been the single most extraordinary experience of my life. I hope I do not sound corny or dooliah writing this but I have never experienced so much love come at me.

I have never experienced so many profound conversations with people of different backgrounds, ages and life experiences. This entire experience has been something I could never have imagined. It was in many ways the most extraordinary spiritual experience of my life and my life has been filled with them .
I am just stunned at the moment and I am so pleased that I can hint at explaining it to all of you.

If you have questions just ask them. Amazing day.

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1 reply
susannac | @susannac | Feb 14 10:45am
In reply to @franki24 "So today was the day after surgery for my VATS resection. One of the nurses who..." + (show)
@franki24

So today was the day after surgery for my VATS resection. One of the nurses who has worked in ICU for 24 years told me I was the first patient she has ever seen leave ICU DRESSED and walking. The entire staff was basically stunned thay I walked out ICU to transfer to a hospital room for one night and then be released some time tomorrow. I have been walking around talking visiting with friends and staff. I have minor pain. Tolerable pain.
This experience, without going in to too much detail, has been the single most extraordinary experience of my life. I hope I do not sound corny or dooliah writing this but I have never experienced so much love come at me.

I have never experienced so many profound conversations with people of different backgrounds, ages and life experiences. This entire experience has been something I could never have imagined. It was in many ways the most extraordinary spiritual experience of my life and my life has been filled with them .
I am just stunned at the moment and I am so pleased that I can hint at explaining it to all of you.

If you have questions just ask them. Amazing day.

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I am overjoyed to hear your news! I may be having VATS for a 8mm thing in my left lung soon and your experience with VATS fills me with incredible positivity. Thank you so much for sharing!

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franki24 | @franki24 | Feb 14 11:23am

I am so pleased to read that my words were useful to you. I don't typically give advice but I hope you will pardon me this one time. As they prepare to operate on your lungs, prepare you heart. Love as much as you can for no one knows what tomorrow brings. There is only one day, the day called today.

Frank

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1 reply
caregiverwife | @caregiverwife | Feb 14 2:39pm

My 56 yr old husband has 7 nodules in his lungs from 6mm in size up to 11mm that has solidified. He also was diagnosed with mild emphysema. He too can breath easily, he works hard and doesn't believe anything is really wrong. His PET/CT scan will be scheduled as soon as United Health believes it is warranted.

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1 reply
franki24 | @franki24 | Feb 14 3:22pm
In reply to @caregiverwife "My 56 yr old husband has 7 nodules in his lungs from 6mm in size up..." + (show)
@caregiverwife

My 56 yr old husband has 7 nodules in his lungs from 6mm in size up to 11mm that has solidified. He also was diagnosed with mild emphysema. He too can breath easily, he works hard and doesn't believe anything is really wrong. His PET/CT scan will be scheduled as soon as United Health believes it is warranted.

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Well I can honestly tell you that all of us here hope that your husband is correct.

I am not qualified to give advice nor do I have any to give.

How are you doing thinking and feeling. We care about you as well.

Frank

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susannac | @susannac | Feb 15 8:56am
In reply to @franki24 "I am so pleased to read that my words were useful to you. I don't typically..." + (show)
@franki24

I am so pleased to read that my words were useful to you. I don't typically give advice but I hope you will pardon me this one time. As they prepare to operate on your lungs, prepare you heart. Love as much as you can for no one knows what tomorrow brings. There is only one day, the day called today.

Frank

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Truly wise advice! Thank you Frank.

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1 reply
franki24 | @franki24 | Feb 15 10:14am
In reply to @susannac "Truly wise advice! Thank you Frank." + (show)
@susannac

Truly wise advice! Thank you Frank.

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Perfect love casts out fear. Fear leads to torment. YOU GOT THIS SUSAN.

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