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81 yrs. surgery done. 50% lung capacity. Evaluating treatment.

Posted by redpowerranger @redpowerranger, 2 days ago

I am 81 yrs old, decent health. Right lower lobectomy 2012. Upper left large wedge lobectomy, Sept 2025. Adjuvant therapy advised, one positive skip lymph node.
Treatment recommended: chemo & PD-L1 drug 12 months.
Some minutes of the day I just want to ride off into the sunset, enjoy my days. Most times, I want to start the treatments, but the side effects, ugh. Any advice about the important things to think about here?
Many sage persons and postings in this support group have already lent me valuable experience and advice.

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

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pml | @pml | 2 days ago

Hi,
Congratulations on your good health! It sounds like your procedures worked out well. It's hard to decide what to do when you are facing issues such as you are. My husband had lung cancer and due to almost dying from the side effects of Keytruda he elected to have no more treatments. We had 14 more years together with him having lung cancer. He's in Heaven now and I know we'll eventually be together again.

81 is not young. You might just want to enjoy your life while you have it. I would suggest taking your situation up with God. He's the one in control of life and death anyway. Just talk to him like he's your best friend and he is! He made you and he can fix you! I'll say a prayer for you also.
I wish you the best.
PML

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vic83 | @vic83 | 1 day ago

I am 84, still independent and am about to start proton radiation for a new nodule. This the 5th nodule I am treating in the last four years (2 VAT wedge resections, SBRT for 2 nodules).
I have multifocal lung cancer and am getting tired of these things. I also have pulmonary fibrosis and had pneumonitis after SBRT. So now I also have 55% lung capacity with severe DLCO reduction. I am on O2 for exertion and sleep...but I have portable O2 to get around.
Deciding not to treat is a harder decision than treating because that is a "final" choice to let it go and then what happens? I am not in pain with my lung cancer. I don't look sick.

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redpowerranger | @redpowerranger | 1 day ago
In reply to @pml "Hi, Congratulations on your good health! It sounds like your procedures worked out well. It's hard..." + (show)
Profile picture for pml @pml

Hi,
Congratulations on your good health! It sounds like your procedures worked out well. It's hard to decide what to do when you are facing issues such as you are. My husband had lung cancer and due to almost dying from the side effects of Keytruda he elected to have no more treatments. We had 14 more years together with him having lung cancer. He's in Heaven now and I know we'll eventually be together again.

81 is not young. You might just want to enjoy your life while you have it. I would suggest taking your situation up with God. He's the one in control of life and death anyway. Just talk to him like he's your best friend and he is! He made you and he can fix you! I'll say a prayer for you also.
I wish you the best.
PML

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@pml What a helpful response you have shared with me. My blessings to you, your husband & our God in the knowledge of eternal life offered us by Grace.

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