Staying (Lung) Safe this Holiday Season

Posted by Merry, Alumni Mentor @merpreb, Dec 18, 2021

My husband and I recently picked up holiday decorations. One thing that I love to hate is candles. If they have scents or smoke they aren't allowed in my house. I can't handle them, no matter how gorgeous. I have to be very careful around roasting chestnuts on an open fire because all fires are smokey! We tried this once and I had one very apologetic husband, lol.

It really isn't funny anymore because after so many years with lung cancer and COPD anything that sets my lungs to swelling hurts a lot.

I am very careful of wearing masks, getting any vaccines I need. To stay healthy, I wash my hands, or use a sanitizer. I make sure that all of my medications are filled as much as they can be, especially my inhalers!

The holidays can be one of the most wonderful times of the year, With some planning and care, we can do our best to protect others and ourselves.

It has been an honor to be your mentor. I want to take this time to wish you and your families a healthy holiday and new year!

I know that I have missed some helpful hints to stay safe this year. It would be a wonderful gift to share what you do!

Warmly
Merry

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MODERATOR'S NOTE
The knowledge exchange shared in this discussion helped to create this article written for the Mayo Clinic app and website. Knowledge for patients by patients and beyond Mayo Clinic Connect.
– How patients with lung conditions avoid winter irritants https://www.mayoclinic.org/connected-care/how-patients-with-lung-conditions-avoid-winter-irritants/cpt-20525811

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

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Feb 21, 2022

In reply to @lilly2 "@ Lilly correction 4 left" + (show)

I'm down to 3!

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Feb 21, 2022

In reply to @lilly2 "Hi there, So I finally had my wedge resection with ample margins for. According to pathology..." + (show)

Hi Lilly- WOW, you've certainly done a good job researching your cancer. It can be pretty confusing, eh? Personally, I have never heard of STAS so I did my own research. Do you know how many things have STAS as their acronym?

I found this: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7354155/

I also found this study done pretty recently 2020. It has a more positive consideration for future surgery and results:
https://bmccancer.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12885-020-07200-w
It's my feeling that a comprehensive conversation should take place concerning possible treatments at this stage, having DNA testing to see what anomalies there are and your next tests. If your present doctor doubts the existence of a particular finding and you don't feel this way I would get a second opinion!

At this point that may already have happened?

lilly2 | @lilly2 | Feb 20, 2022

In reply to @lilly2 "Hi there, So I finally had my wedge resection with ample margins for. According to pathology..." + (show)

@ Lilly correction 4 left

lilly2 | @lilly2 | Feb 20, 2022

Hi there, So I finally had my wedge resection with ample margins for. According to pathology report module was pt1b , negative for lymph node involvement. Although only afew stations were checked 7, 4Runner, 4 L. I’m feeling worried cause I’m reading that 10 lymph nodes at least should be checked according to many trials to ensure accurate staging.Plus my report mentions Stas spread through airspace and says its present. I’m not sure to what extent.I think my surgeon said “ is Stas even proven “? From what I see it is proven some believe it could be artifact from knife cutting n spreading the cells.Im reading that if Stas is present wedge resection is not optimal. Stas has a poor prognostic and if Lobectomy is completed Stas doesn’t carry its weight and seems to have no affect on overall survival. My question is has anyone else had Stas present on surgical biopsy if so did you have a Lobectomy. Thanks, lilly

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Feb 20, 2022

In reply to @rlogan "Thanks for the information. My wife was recently diagnosed with solid mass & lesions in both..." + (show)

Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Has she had biopsies done on any of the tumors in her lungs? Not all lesions, even multiple ones are multifocal adenocarcinomas. Does she have small cell lung cancer?

rlogan | @rlogan | Feb 19, 2022

In reply to @vic83 "FYI, Mayo Clinic posted new specialty group to Lung Cancer Program Multifocal Lung Cancer Specialty Group..." + (show)

Thanks for the information. My wife was recently diagnosed with solid mass & lesions in both lungs and secondary malignant lesions in liver & spinal column. We have applied for an appointment at Mayo - Jacksonville and will hopefully be accepted.

vic83 | @vic83 | Feb 19, 2022

FYI, Mayo Clinic posted new specialty group to Lung Cancer Program
Multifocal Lung Cancer Specialty Group
Overview
Multifocal lung cancer is a complex condition where more than one spot of lung cancer is present. Each of these spots could represent an individual cancer that is independent of the other spots in the lungs. Or, alternatively, the spots could mean a singular lung cancer has spread. The detection of multifocal lung cancer has increased with the use of low-dose CT scans for lung cancer screening and CT scans ordered for other conditions.
Because the condition is so complex, the Mayo Clinic multifocal lung cancer specialty group uses a team-based approach for treatment. This team often consists of radiologists, pathologists, pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists. Together, the team will evaluate your specific condition and build a treatment plan tailored to your needs. For instance, your team may recommend surgery, radiation, ablation, chemotherapy or a combination of these based on a wide variety of factors, including the number of lesions, their location and their relatedness to one another.
Feb 11, 2022
https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/multifocal-lung-cancer-specialty-group/overview/ovc-20474869

vic83 | @vic83 | Feb 12, 2022

In reply to @merpreb "One thing that I forgot was stress. And believe it or not, forgetting to breathe! Sometimes..." + (show)

Interesting! I have often had the impression that I forget to breathe and that is why I have shortness of breath. Are there exercises or something?

dc1950 | @dc1950 | Jan 9, 2022

Great story and a novel way to ask people not to wear perfume or scents! For me, it’s been very obvious the struggles I have with scents and most of my close friends and family do not wear any scents when they are with me. I have one though, that always seems to forget ?! I make sure never to ride in a car together if possible with that one.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 9, 2022

In reply to @dc1950 "Hello - I have lung disease and chronic sinusitis. I too have a strong reaction to..." + (show)

Same here, Donna! I cannot tolerate fabricated smells like air fresheners either. I have a story. My grandfather and his lady friend were excited to get invited to a wine tasting, having never done this before. They both got dressed in the best outfits, including the finishing touch of perfume and cologne. Imagine their disappointment when the event organizers had to turn them away at the door explaining that the perfumes would interfere with the wine tasting.

Well, I've turned by grandfathers disappointment into a positive for me. When we host a dinner party, I ask guests not to wear perfumes or fragrant soaps promising wines that don't mix well with strong scents. So far it has worked 🙂

Are you able to ask friends not to wear perfumes when in close quarters with you, like coming to dinner or riding in the car?