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A new challenge

Posted by daisydays @daisydays, 5 days ago

Hi Everyone,
My team found a separate issue on my post lobectomy scan from last week. It says there is a 4.1-4.2 dilated area on my ascending aorta. I am scheduled for an MRA/MRI with and w/o contrast. Depending on results, I will most likely visit with a surgeon. If nothing else to get acquainted, which I am hoping for, to meet and have a watch situation.
I don’t feel ready, I’m not fully recovered from my lobectomy.
This just feels so unreal…. Same way I felt with my cancer diagnosis, so I know my mind will indeed wrap itself around this too.
I’ve been so very scared, still have moments but I am doing my best at trying to look at this with less fear now.
When I find myself beginning to get upset I try to remind myself it’s a huge positive just to be aware I have this, that I will get a clearer picture of what is going on soon… that I will cross whatever bridge when we have details.
Meanwhile I’m doing everything my cardiologist said to do/not to do. I’m on a beta blocker now. I’ve done research online, some helpful some increased anxiety as I learned this particular location of dilated/aneurism surgery is done by open heart surgery. Yikes.
I see there is an aorta connect area here too at mayo, I peeked but I’m not ready to dive in…. I will know when I am ready. I’m so very grateful to have found it and grateful for you all here too.
Positive thoughts, prayers… happy thoughts are appreciated. Thanks

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

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mamajite | @mamajite | 2 days ago
In reply to @donnademps "It def sounds scary and a lot to process. I understand your shutdown as well. I..." + (show)
Profile picture for donnademps @donnademps

It def sounds scary and a lot to process. I understand your shutdown as well. I have news I'm just not ready to share with anyone, save my husband. I wonder if it's a way to protect ourselves from the many "it's probably just..", when I know exactly what the scan has shown. I hope you can gain comfort from this site, even if it's just reading the comments. I will keep you in my heart as you manage your way thru the next piece of your life.

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@donnademps sending good thoughts your way ❤️‍🩹 🙏🏻

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daisydays | @daisydays | 1 day ago
In reply to @hch559 "@lls8000 @daisydays @mamajite I have a 4.4 cm ascending aorta too, other than my multifocal adenocarcinoma..." + (show)
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@lls8000
@daisydays
@mamajite

I have a 4.4 cm ascending aorta too, other than my multifocal adenocarcinoma Lung cancer. These two health diseases were discovered by accident in an emergency visit in October 2024.

I had two VAT surgeries to remove 3 tumors within one year. The every 6 month CT scan showed the size of Aorta.
The Cardiologist can see the results of CT scan from My Chart.
He told me to control my blood pressure, do not need to do surgery until the size near 5.5 cm.
I am overwhelmed by the two serious diseases, but currently the lung cancer is more urgent to take care of.
I told my children my health status. I don’t tell my siblings (they live out of the state and we occasionally contact) and friends, because nothing they can do about it. I don’t want them to worry.
I tried to keep myself calm. It is good to find this Mayo group to talk about and to learn knowledges.
Helen

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Hello Helen,
Thank you for your reply. I can only imagine how overwhelming it was to find both lung cancer and your aorta at the same time. I’m sorry you have experienced all you have due to both diseases, two lung surgeries in a year…. you must be a very brave person Helen.
I share my health challenges with my children, siblings and friends. I find them all supportive in different ways, I’m so very grateful.
My cardiologist wants my blood pressure controlled too.
Yes, staying calm is a good thing, and I’m finding myself calmer than I was those first few days. Thank goodness !
Yes, this Mayo group is wonderful to express and learn, folks here are the best !
Thank you very much for sharing with me what your experiences have been.
Sending positive thoughts your way 🤗

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tashmoon | @tashmoon | 1 day ago
In reply to @donnademps "It def sounds scary and a lot to process. I understand your shutdown as well. I..." + (show)
Profile picture for donnademps @donnademps

It def sounds scary and a lot to process. I understand your shutdown as well. I have news I'm just not ready to share with anyone, save my husband. I wonder if it's a way to protect ourselves from the many "it's probably just..", when I know exactly what the scan has shown. I hope you can gain comfort from this site, even if it's just reading the comments. I will keep you in my heart as you manage your way thru the next piece of your life.

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@donnademps they are beautiful words for me to read. Thankyou.
Yes I think I/we paint a positive picture to protect the people around us in a "I've got this" frame so a step backwards dents that.
If you would like to share more about where you are at, then I would be very happy to listen and not say " its probably just" once 🙂
You are in my thoughts.
That might be a good title for a new discussion on Connect...."Its probably just"

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donnademps | @donnademps | 16 hours ago

Thanks for your response. I love the idea of starting a new discussion called "it's probably just". I am so sick of people saying that when the writing is on the wall. It feels like they are minimizing the results of initial tests. I will share more after I hear the results from an "urgent brain MRI" and an app't with my oncologist. My thoracic surgeon is also going to arrange a group discussion with other experts in this field to attempt to find the best treatment. I am also waiting for my app't for a biopsy. At least this time round with a lung biopsy, I've asked to be put under and not having a. needle biopsy. I will know much more after all of this. I am also sending love to @daisydays. I appreciated her sharing. It helps us to know that others are also going through very difficult times. We are not alone!

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daisydays | @daisydays | 11 hours ago
In reply to @donnademps "Thanks for your response. I love the idea of starting a new discussion called "it's probably..." + (show)
Profile picture for donnademps @donnademps

Thanks for your response. I love the idea of starting a new discussion called "it's probably just". I am so sick of people saying that when the writing is on the wall. It feels like they are minimizing the results of initial tests. I will share more after I hear the results from an "urgent brain MRI" and an app't with my oncologist. My thoracic surgeon is also going to arrange a group discussion with other experts in this field to attempt to find the best treatment. I am also waiting for my app't for a biopsy. At least this time round with a lung biopsy, I've asked to be put under and not having a. needle biopsy. I will know much more after all of this. I am also sending love to @daisydays. I appreciated her sharing. It helps us to know that others are also going through very difficult times. We are not alone!

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@donnademps
Hello Donna,
That was so very sweet of you, thank you.
Sending you love as well along with positive thoughts for your brain MRI, and a positive meeting with your oncologist.
Your surgeon plus other experts have their “thinking caps on”…. sounds to me like you’ve got a great team.
I’m glad you asked to be under for your lung biopsy, I remember you went through an awful lot with the needle procedure. No thanks to that again !
Daisy 🤗

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mamajite | @mamajite | 3 hours ago
In reply to @donnademps "Thanks for your response. I love the idea of starting a new discussion called "it's probably..." + (show)
Profile picture for donnademps @donnademps

Thanks for your response. I love the idea of starting a new discussion called "it's probably just". I am so sick of people saying that when the writing is on the wall. It feels like they are minimizing the results of initial tests. I will share more after I hear the results from an "urgent brain MRI" and an app't with my oncologist. My thoracic surgeon is also going to arrange a group discussion with other experts in this field to attempt to find the best treatment. I am also waiting for my app't for a biopsy. At least this time round with a lung biopsy, I've asked to be put under and not having a. needle biopsy. I will know much more after all of this. I am also sending love to @daisydays. I appreciated her sharing. It helps us to know that others are also going through very difficult times. We are not alone!

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@donnademps in my experience, very few people know what to say to cancer patients. I'm sorry it sounds like you have some kind of progression and that you have to go through another round of testing/biopsy, which all by itself is hard and unpleasant. have you heard of the targeted therapy zongertinib? it was recently approved in the US for first line treatment for HER2 mutated NSCLC.

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