Living with lung cancer - Introduce yourself & come say hi

Welcome to the Lung Cancer group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet people living with lung cancer or caring for someone with lung cancer. Let's learn from each other and share stories about living well with cancer, coping with the challenges and offering tips.

I'm Colleen, and I'm the moderator of this group, and Community Director of Connect. Chances are you'll to be greeted by volunteer patient Mentors and fellow members when you post to this group. Learn more about Moderators and Mentors on Connect.

We look forward to welcoming you and introducing you to other members. Feel free to browse the topics or start a new one.
Let's chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?

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

Profile picture for samanthaezu @samanthaezu

Surgery chemo or radiation......but she won't undergo all those treatments.....

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Hi,
I am sailaja.
I saw your post on herbal medicine Oncotame-S.
My brother in law is diagnosed with stage 4 peritoneum cancer. He is advised to take this ayurvedic medicine as no treatment available for his case in Allopathy.
It will be great if you can share feedback for herbal medicine

Thank you in advance

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Thanks for the comment, I will write down questions before I go see them.

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Profile picture for grandmasheri @grandmasheri

They don’t want to tell me anything until after the next 2 tests are done however all results of test are on the web through a MyChart app. Of course I don’t understand a lot so I have to research the terms. I don’t see that they ran geo testing on the biopsy and that concerns me after reading through answers on this page. That’s one of the questions I’m going to ask on Oct 10th when I go for my results. I know from the results I have adenocarcinoma.

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Sheri- I am not able to read CT scans. But it looks like, from what is written under the photo, there does seem to be a mass. Genetic testing takes a while for the results to come in. The gene testing should have been a part of the biopsy. Do you have those results yet? If not then call to make sure that it was done. I'm sure that your tissue sample is still available for testing if it needs to be done.

I'd make a question list and make sure that you get answers for each one. You are entitled to answers. A gene test is a necessity so there isn't a reason for it not to be done. Insist on it!

I'm sorry that your outcome was not what you had hoped. I was a heavy smoker also. Have you quit smoking yet?

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Thank you for your comments, I feel better already

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Profile picture for grandmasheri @grandmasheri

They don’t want to tell me anything until after the next 2 tests are done however all results of test are on the web through a MyChart app. Of course I don’t understand a lot so I have to research the terms. I don’t see that they ran geo testing on the biopsy and that concerns me after reading through answers on this page. That’s one of the questions I’m going to ask on Oct 10th when I go for my results. I know from the results I have adenocarcinoma.

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Waiting for results and appointments is so difficult. It’s likely that a lot is happening during this time, even though it feels like nothing is happening. The docs are coordinating and lab tests are being completed. The MRI and PET will be help to know if the cancer is contained to the lung. And the biopsy tissue is likely being tested to see exactly what type of cancer it is, and if it is expected to be responsive to certain therapies.
Hopefully they have good options for you at your next appointment! Take care, hang in there, Lisa

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They don’t want to tell me anything until after the next 2 tests are done however all results of test are on the web through a MyChart app. Of course I don’t understand a lot so I have to research the terms. I don’t see that they ran geo testing on the biopsy and that concerns me after reading through answers on this page. That’s one of the questions I’m going to ask on Oct 10th when I go for my results. I know from the results I have adenocarcinoma.

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Profile picture for grandmasheri @grandmasheri

Hello, my name is Sheri Helseth from Fresno. Just got told after biopsy I have lung cancer and am having an MRI on Friday and next week Pet scan, then Oct 10 the results

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Welcome to the lung cancer group, Sheri. Did you have suspicions of lung cancer? It's quite a shock to be told this, even if it's out of the blue. It kind of knocks you off your feet, right? Well, let me help you up. Monday I'll be celebrating 25 years of surviving lung cancer. I'll be glad to help you all I can.

You have now entered the world of cancer tests, lab tests, blood tests, and anything that they can find to test. But it will all help with deciding, with you, what kind of cancer you have and the best way to treat it.

Do you have the results of the biopsy yet? Have your doctors told you anything else or answered your questions?

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Hello, my name is Sheri Helseth from Fresno. Just got told after biopsy I have lung cancer and am having an MRI on Friday and next week Pet scan, then Oct 10 the results

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Profile picture for Merry, Alumni Mentor @merpreb

Good morning Kathy and welcome to the Lung Cancer group. With PMR you certainly don't need one more thing, do you? I was a heavy smoker and was not surprised at the news. However, no matter if you have suspicions or not I was definitely shocked at hearing those words. How are you dealing with this?

You do have a head start in being familiar with medical care and illness. This will help you with your journey. Two possible next steps will be a PET scan and a biopsy. Biopsies aren't always needed nor advised in some cases and there are varied reasons for this. In the 6 lung cancers that I have had, I've only had 1 biopsy as a tool for diagnosis. And I am very thankful for the caution taken with this.

But PET scans are a wonderful tool for confirming cancer suspicion. Be prepared to spend some time at the hospital when you have a PET. There is a lot of protocol surrounding the injection and wait time (usually an hour or so) paperwork, etc. You might have already had one for other reasons so this might be a moot point.

Do you have dates set for the PET scan as yet?

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@merpreb Hi Merry. I suppose I was shocked too. I had a persistent cough for months but assumed that was allergies. I do have a lot of peace, but I'm dealing with some pain issues and that's not fun. I did have a PET scan which showed the large lung mass and other areas of interest 🙂 I'll have a biopsy of my lung 9/28. Six lung cancers? You've earned your place as a mentor! I appreciate you checking in and establishing a dialogue. Thanks, Kathy

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