Living with lung cancer - Introduce yourself & come say hi

I had lung cancer surgery on May 30. They removed the right lower lobe. Subsequently, I had an infection in the liver and was on a drain. One of the antibiotics caused a seizure and I had to be taken to hospital by Emergency Services. Off the antibiotics now, and the PICCline and the drain to my liver. I had had a small stroke in January, which I didn’t even notice. But my balance was shot. I’m going to Physio twice a week. Have graduated from a walker to a cane. No chemo - we’re on a wait and see because I have a number of autoimmune diseases. EEG next week and appt with Oncologist in October.

CT scan of lung has been done and the surgeon said it looks good. No infection there. Oncologist wants to do a bone marrow biopsy next week. Checking the thyroid and giving him antibiotics. What does all this mean?

Sounds like an infection has set in. So many people are getting these from hospitals today. Our "bugs" are changing to make it difficult to a smooth healing. Try and take one day, one hour at a time. Focus on the infection and not what is to be in the future, because we just can't handle or do anything about that now. He has to fight the infection (I'm assuming it is one) and that is enough to handle. Thinking about anything else will add tension, which will make recovering more difficult. Please keep us updated. Best

Hello, My husband had the upper lobe of his left lung removed on July 31,2018 along with two ribs where the cancer had attached. He was in the hospital for 16 days before the lung sealed and he could go home. He is now having low grade temperature and his white blood count keeps going up. He is still in a lot of discomfort and can’t get comfortable. Oncologist says he can’t get treatment until temperature and WBC is normal. We are so worried and don’t know what to do.

Nancy (shortshot)

I replied to you weeks after your dear husband had passed. I too lost my husband months before you did and I have suffered from Stage IV lung cancer since 2013. I have been on Immunotherapy since Sept, 2015. Unlike you, I have very little family. I have a 27 year old son who suffers from extreme anxiety and lives with me. Other than my son, I have a few out of town brothers who I am not close to. I moved to the opposite end of the state of Florida 5 years ago so all my very close friends are 6 hours away. It is very difficult and lonely to be in this position. I have great neighbors but I try not to complain or show how ill I am as I imagine that gets old quickly. So, just wanted to let you know I am in your boat, just a little bit ahead of you. Reach out when ever you can! Karen

Dear Nancy @shortshot,

I'm so sorry to learn about your loss. Losing a spouse is one of the most painful losses a person can experience – I cannot begin to imagine how much you must miss the comfort and support you got from being part of a couple.

Everyone grieves in their own way, but we often forget to give ourselves enough time to grieve – especially as mothers and wives. It must be so difficult to surrender to grief, and there’s no definite timetable for this. But, nothing lasts forever (including the pain from losing a loved one), so just know that "this too shall pass."

At such times, people say join a support group - I want you to know that you are part of a whole community here, on Connect. Have you seen this discussion, "Loss and Grief: How are you doing?" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/loss-and-grief-how-are-you-doing/ I encourage you to join in and meet the many members who’ve had experiences similar to your own. Feel free to join in, share your story, perhaps even offer suggestions to fellow Connect members; often by holding someone else’s hand and by being their support, our own pain lessens a little bit too.
Losing a beloved one and grief is a difficult journey, but you don’t have to do it alone.

Hi Colleen, (Nancy Bush33) I haven't been here for a while, I have been overwhelmed with emotional feelings, lonely, not sleeping too well, I feel like I am a basket case at times. I do have a doctor appt on Tuesday to see if my primary care doc can help. Just feel lost. (nancybush33) Thanks!

shortshot
Ladies, I''m sorry for not being here as it really has helped me to cope with all sorts of issues. Grief, lonely, quietness, one of my "kid"s lying and creating all sorts of stress after my hubby passed/ Have had to consult attorney, update my will, you name it and it has been lots of loss! Today I have my new internet and am on here for the first time in I don't know how long. I finally have the password correct. Now hoping to get back in here and see who/what/how & why. I have also seemed to get "uti" a lot, will talk to both cancer doc & primary doc to see why and what to do with this. I have had one of my granddaughters here for several days, she is 28 and just received her masters degree in "Speech Pathology" I am so proud of her and we have had a really nice visit since last Saturday.
I will have "immune therapy"on Thursday morning and then same day in another city see my heart doc, checking my pacemaker. I will get back in here and see who to visit with. Gotta be someone I can talk to who is in the same boat. Thanks for listening ladies! Nancy

Hello Colleen, my name is Claudette. I was diagnosed with 3a small cell lung cancer in April. I have completed 1/2 of prescribed chemo & 1/2 of the twice a day radiation. Today I went for sonogram on liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys & aorta. Now anxiously awaiting results. Glad to find this forum.

@marylou705, I believe @merpreb's question above was meant for you. The question is "Do you know what your treatment plan will be?"