Living with lung cancer - Introduce yourself & come say hi

@margot69-I am truly sorry to hear this Margot. There's always hope. Try not to doubt this. Most likely the next step is a PET Scan and the biopsy that they postponed. I have no idea how how the radiologists staged you without a biopsy.
Can your pulmonologist pull any strings and get you an appointment sooner?
Since there has not been a discussion about Small Cell lung cancer I'm reaching out to everyone to see if someone will join us in beginning a new discussion.

I finally had the liver biopsy done. What a fiasco! Went in last Friday and it got cancelled and was done on Monday by a different radiologist. Luckily, he didn't get the lung. Had a brain MRI done and no metastasis showing. My Pulmonologist messaged me yesterday that I have small cell lung cancer, stage IV and now, the dictir I couldn't get to do a CT for months, is telling me I need treatment ASAP. I can't get into an Oncologist here for a week. I called Stanford and have to wait for a call back. I have no idea where to go or anything about treatments. Anyone dealing with SCLC? Is there any hope?

I finally had the liver biopsy done. What a fiasco! Went in last Friday and it got cancelled and was done on Monday by a different radiologist. Luckily, he didn't get the lung. Had a brain MRI done and no metastasis showing. My Pulmonologist messaged me yesterday that I have small cell lung cancer, stage IV and now, the dictir I couldn't get to do a CT for months, is telling me I need treatment ASAP. I can't get into an Oncologist here for a week. I called Stanford and have to wait for a call back. I have no idea where to go or anything about treatments. Anyone dealing with SCLC? Is there any hope?

Since it is the Holidays, nothing is moving along quickly. Have not heard from my doctor but his nurse called today to say a liver biopsy us set up for next Friday and they cancelled the lung biopsy, for now. Radiology Pathologist (?) felt the liver biopsy would give them the information they need and my doctor concurred. Still no call from Radiology about the brain MRI. I did see my ENT doctor today, one of the ones I see, and he looked at the PET scan report and said I need to get the biopsy done! I told him my ears have been hurting but he doesn't see anything. He feels, if I need treatment, it can be done by Oncology here as he feels, no matter where you go, it is going to be the same treatment protocol. I am curious to know if anyone has lung cancer that has gone to the liver and some nodes.

Thank you, sea spray. Actually, I have been thru labor 3 times with nothing but a numbing shot before the epesiotomy. I have had a liver biopsy as I have had other medical issues nobody can figure out and my GI doctor wanted to check for Autoimmune Hep. To,d him I did not want to be awake. I don't remember a thing. I have had a number of surgeries. When it comes to needles, forget it. We just pulled into town after almost 8 hours in the car. I will have to sit diwn later tonight and read those messages. If he is ordering the other tests, I can only assume the worst. Niw hat we have left San Diego, I see there is a Scripps MD Anderson diwn there and it looks like maybe they are part of MD Anderson in TX.

Merry post Christmas! We have been at our daughter's house and our son came over also. I opted not to say anything so we could enjoy a nice Christmas. I had eantes to talk to them face to face but he had to leave. I did tell my daughter last night and we had a good cry. While I have been gone, I saw two messages come through from Goukd that said test results. Hard to believe they have OET scan results up. I still haven't read them. I did see that, in addition to a lung biopsy, the doctor has orders in for a liver biopsy and brain MRI. This can't be good. We are actually in the car now on the way home and I still don't want to read that. I don't want to go home. Still not sure what to do. I am sure they will refer to one of their Oncologist's but I do want a second opinion and husband, or myself, are not anxious to travel. What a hassle and I suffer from some a nudity issues. I guess that leaves me with Stanford or UCSF. I am petrified. Pulmonologist gave me the impression I have the aggressive form, forget what it is called. Is a lung biopsy painful? They won't knock you out.

Hi everyone, finally an update. Right now appointments start Jan. 11and also Mon. 14. Anybody travelling across SD about then, lol? VA is not responding about referral, so will fund on my own, that's what credit cards are for. Gone Blvd on Friday, will probably be having panic attacks throughout the visit, where is a good close place to stay. Will call the concierge soon. Continue to thank you all for being there I hope to be more of a giver soon!!

@margot69 - Please try to remember and understand that until you have these biopsies, you do not really know if you have cancer. I can understand how anxious you are as I have been through all of this myself. As I told you before, I had 2 lung biopsies, one liver biopsy and one vertebrae biopsy. None are very painful although my vertebrae was sore for weeks. You will not be knocked out for the lung biopsy because you need to breathe properly. They completely numb the area, do the biopsy which is very fast while looking at your scan on the screen next to you, and then give you a shot through your IV for pain. If you need more, they will give you more. The liver biopsy is pretty easy, again you will be numbed, feel pressure and hear the tool pop to get the biopsy and it is over. None were a big deal to me. I guess once you have been through labor nothing is as bad! You will never have to worry about nudity issues....you will always have on a hospital gown and blankets. The lung biopsy is done through your back. The liver biopsy is done in the front but you are completely covered except for the tiny area being biopsied. Take some deep breaths and try not to worry .....easy for me to say but hey, I been terminal for over 4 years!! Hope you got home safe and will sleep well in your own bed tonight!

Merry post Christmas! We have been at our daughter's house and our son came over also. I opted not to say anything so we could enjoy a nice Christmas. I had eantes to talk to them face to face but he had to leave. I did tell my daughter last night and we had a good cry. While I have been gone, I saw two messages come through from Goukd that said test results. Hard to believe they have OET scan results up. I still haven't read them. I did see that, in addition to a lung biopsy, the doctor has orders in for a liver biopsy and brain MRI. This can't be good. We are actually in the car now on the way home and I still don't want to read that. I don't want to go home. Still not sure what to do. I am sure they will refer to one of their Oncologist's but I do want a second opinion and husband, or myself, are not anxious to travel. What a hassle and I suffer from some a nudity issues. I guess that leaves me with Stanford or UCSF. I am petrified. Pulmonologist gave me the impression I have the aggressive form, forget what it is called. Is a lung biopsy painful? They won't knock you out.