Living with lung cancer - Introduce yourself & come say hi

@alamogal635- Good morning. "What if" is one of the new you thingies that happens with cancer. I don't "what if" out loud to myself I just fill up with dread and inertia takes me over. Of course it is all about lamenting our own lives. How can it not? I might be better off "what iffing" because then I might come up with some alternatives. I am not a person who has just accepted their own death with ease at all. I fear I might go kicking and screaming all the way. I do know that it is inevitable but I am so not prepared for it at all.

@merpreb Will do so. Not saying all is sunny and bright--the lurk of "what if" IT returns is always there. I guess it will be so from now on. I have found deep breathing to help settle nerves and anxiety hen anxiety arrives. That is probably lemental for many on this site, but for me, actually doing it has helped tremendously.

@alamogal635 and @bluelagoon - Hi There! I am so glad that things have been good for you! I know that there is a tendency to pull back when things settle down. It's like, ok now a breather for me. I get that, I really do but it really is important to help share your experience and offer support to new people who come to us too. And your wonderful language of support is always welcome. And I love to hear from you! Maybe both of you can chime in a bit more? I miis you!

@mepreb: bluelagoon reminded me that I as well have not been keeping up with posts here. Had my CT scan in Sept. and so far so good--no sign of a return of LC. That was a pleasant bit of news. Lungs do show a little Emphysema, but not much. The latter doesn't surprise me. Then in October had cataracts removed and it is amazing how well I see now. It has been a year of so many medical happenings. The only thing coming up is another CT lung scan in early March 2020. For now, I"m trying to stay upbeat concerning my lungs staying clear of any cancer, or any cancer showing up anywhere else. Realize I was kind of in a post-operative slump for several months after my lobectomy in March of this year. Now I'm walking more and doing more things I want to do. Unless I get sick from something, I'm hoping to have a vacation from physicians until the early months of 2020 when the yearly exam comes up and then the CT scan. I keep you and all on this site in my thoughts and prayers. We are a special group of folks who hare the worries fo cancer in one form, or another. Just sending all my greetings and wishing everyone the best.

@merpreb I got busy and stopped following these posts but they started to return to my email in time to know I needed to jump in! My next quarterly visit to Mayo comes up in about 10 days- still far enough off that I'm just thinking about the "roadtrip" and restaurants part and not the tests! And you?

@bluelagoon- This is an excellent post and you are correct, how side effects do not indicate if your chemo is working or if it is. I actually have been thinking about you lately. How have you been this year?

@rimaronye Last year I went through 4 rounds of Cisplatin & Alimta and remember reading in "the fine print" that how you feel is not related to how it is working, even though people always think if they are sick it must be working or if you aren't then it must not be working. I was like you with very few issues so I remember being glad to see there wasn't a correlation. Anyone on your oncology team should be able to confirm that for you- I recall those who did the injections were well versed in side effects of the different meds, such as most people with my combo didn't have hair loss (which I had just assumed would happen and was happily surprised to not experience!)

@rlmaronye- Good morning and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Unfortunately we can not diagnose or tell future forecasts. However what you describe as your symptoms sound very normal. Did your oncologist tell you that you will be getting regular (maybe every 3 months or so) scans to see how you are doing? This is the way, with blood work that your doctors can tell the efficacy of your therapy.

Each person reacts differently to chemicals. Some people like @richcolleen can be ill and others have it very easy. When I had chemo it was a while ago and it was rough for me but I was never really ill. I took meds to help with that.
Would you mind me telling me more about when you were diagnosed and how long you have been treated?

Enjoy the tiredness. Only had that once. Had trough up and diarrhea 8 times. 3 pet scans two were fine and third one was about 2 hours ago. No results yet. Same meds you’re getting.

I am new to the site, Diagnosed Stage IV adenocarcinoma lung cancer. Had obe chemo treatment Keytruda, Carboplatin & Alimta. Having no side effects and wondering if it is working. Just feeling a little tired.