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Diagnosed with breast cancer & primary lung cancer: Next steps?
Hi. I’m Barbara. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October. At the pre op I had a slight cough. I was diagnosed with pneumonia and breast lumpectomy surgery was rescheduled. Cough didn’t resolve so further testing was ordered. I was diagnosed with Lung cancer also at Christmas. Had lumpectomy and lymph node removal Jan 7 and just started radiation. In meantime my case has been presented to the tumor board and I should hear treatment recommendations for the lung cancer by end of week. Dr ordered a pulmonary function test for tomorrow and said it’s looking like surgery may be best option.
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@mamajite Thank you for your reply. Dr Gandara at UC Davis only serves as my second opinion. He said that at this point there would be no advantage to receiving treatments there vs here locally in Redding. My local oncologist and Dr Gandara both questioned the post surgery pathology report so had it re run at UCD and they were correct in questioning it. So I was finally given a treatment plan on Friday and have a video appt today with UCD to confirm he agrees. Tomorrow I go to wound care clinic to have that hole looked at because chemo is starting very soon. But it is looking much better.
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3 Reactions@bdurel I'm glad it's looking better and that you can be seen at a wound care clinic. even though Dr Gandara gave you a second opinion, you still have been seen by him. and that should give you access to any resources that UC Davis has, that your local clinic might not. and for many things telehealth appointments are options so you don't have to drive there to see someone. keep us posted on how things go!
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1 ReactionI had my video appt yesterday with Dr Gandara at UCDavis. He said he agreed with my local oncologist’s treatment plan. 4 cycles of Carboplatin and Pemetextred at same time as 7-8 weeks of radiation. The only change he would make based on recent studies is instead of following that with 2 years on Tagrisso he would recommend 3 years. I’m scheduled for an ultrasound and needle drainage of the seroma from my Jan surgery tomorrow. I have wound care working on the lung surgery incisions to expedite healing. Tomorrow I also have chemo education appt. Then next Tuesday needle drainage of fluid from lung surgery so I won’t cough so much during radiation treatments. Next Thur I get a chest port put in. They asked if I was ok using a picc line for first infusion so they could start sooner because they are ready. Today is 4 weeks since surgery. I said I’d prefer to just do chest port and wait extra week. I appreciate them moving quickly but my body is so sore and exhausted and I can’t sleep etc. At this point I’ve thrown trying to set up cold capping out the window. I really wanted to save my hair but our hospitals don’t have the machines so it’s more work and I don’t have the band width to take on any more plus it would be more pain. I don’t know how everyone does this. Especially those who work, or have children, or both. Everyone keeps telling me how great I look and they think that means I feel good but I am just exhausted, scared & tired of hurting. My husband means well but he said he could take me to my chest port appt at 8, no problem, as he doesn’t have to be at golf til 9:30.
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1 Reaction@bdurel I am giving you the biggest virtual hug. you are doing a fantastic job of managing all of the appointments, procedures, and treatments you need, especially when you aren't feeling well. this is a time when you have to rely on people that will offer support (sometimes it's not who you expect.) does your local cancer center have a social worker? they can be incredibly helpful. do you have family/friends that can help with what you need as you start chemo/radiation? meals, transportation, help with housework?
you might need to explain that having a port put in is surgery and you will need someone to drive you home. I made my husband and kids watch a video about cancer fatigue because they were having trouble understanding that I looked mostly the same, but couldn't do all of the things I used to do.
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1 ReactionThank you SO much!
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1 ReactionI am feeling so fatigued and I haven’t even started the chemo & lung radiation. Next week they will drain fluid from the large seroma that resulted from my Jan 7 lumpectomy & radiation. Then they will drain fluid from around my lung surgery site to help me cough less during radiation. After that I get a chest port put in and 3 days later on May 4 the chemo & radiation are scheduled to begin. I’m seeing wound care every other day to get my incisions healed as quickly as possible. Every time I think I’ve accepted next step and prepared myself something sets me off. I made a video compilation for my husbands bday today & when I saw my piece and how weak I sounded it scared me. Then I looked up the chemo drugs being used Carboplatin & Pem and saw that there’s a 20% chance of tinnitus & hearing loss. I had asked my Drs because in 2022 I suffered from Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss where I went from excellent hearing to instant deafness & tinnitus in one ear. This has been permanent and the tinnitus has worsened after each anesthesia. The Drs said that’s why they are using Carboplatin vs Cisplatin but I see it’s barely any better. So that has freaked me out. I don’t think I could bear to have this happen to my right ear as well. I’m terrified. Then today the pharmacy sent a notice about no refills on one of the drugs I was rx’d in prep for chemo. I looked it up because I didn’t recognize the name and turns out it’s an antidepressant primarily used to treat schizophrenia but off label for nausea. I had serious depression and even more serious treatments back in the 90’s and swore I’d never go on antidepressants again. So now I’m questioning everything. My one friend keeps asking me about doing alternative protocols & skipping all drugs. My other friend sent me a sermon which talks about anxiety which calmed me a little. I don’t know anything about maybe getting some CBD gummies to use for nausea instead of Zyprexa. I don’t know if I can do this. But I so admire all of you who do. ❤️
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2 Reactions@bdurel, it can be challenging when well-meaning friends suggest this or that cure or even pressure us to look into a treatment that has not been proven. They may be reading promises of cures or misinformation that circulates like wildfire on social media.
Here's some information you might find helpful.
- Natural vs. safe: Why the two aren't the same https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/complementary-alternative-medicine/in-depth/natural-vs-safe-health-remedies/art-20587690
One of my favorite websites for finding evidence-based info about herbs and supplements is Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) complementary therapies database:
– Search About Herbs (cancer specific) https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/herbs/search
I'm sure your friends mean to help. How do you let them know that you appreciate their kindness and concern, but not chase unproven and potentially harmful treatments?
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2 Reactions@bdurel your concerns about the various meds are valid. if it was me, I would ask the medical oncologist what the risk/rewards are. ie prognosis with chemo and without. so much of the time with cancer we have to make the best choice out of 2 not great choices. as far as nausea, there are lots of options. zofran is used a lot. my mom couldn't take it and acupuncture before and after chemo helped her more than any medication. your team should support you to find the right strategy/medication to combat the nausea.
@bdurel, with everything that you have coming at you right now, I'm not sure how you are managing at all. Give yourself some credit too. You are keeping your schedule together, and are investigating the medications that you've been prescribed. This is a lot!! Please keep letting your cancer center know of your concerns, with the hearing loss and the medications. Let them know when something doesn't seem right, and when you are too tired to move forward.
There may be some cancelled golf dates in your husband's future. 😉 Take a deep breath on that one. I know it's hard to ask for help. You won't be able to do all of this alone. Do you have one family member or a trusted friend who may be able to coordinate rides or sitting with you during these appointments and treatments?
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