My next steps with my Adenocarcinoma 1.1 lung tumor

Hi so this past January I was diagnosed with a Adenocarcinoma, stage 1 in the lower right lobe of my lung. Im 73 and have had lung cancer 31 years ago advanced stage and survived it which was nothing short of miraculous..Because of my compromised lungs from previous lung cancer and chemo and COPD, i could not get surgery and it was recommended that I get SBRT therapy 5 treatments...I did this in March 2026 . Treatments were no problem at all...like getting ct scans... 1st ct scan in June showed that the nodule was no longer viable...Im getting another scan next week as they are monitoring me closely....because I had some coughing and congestion with increased shortness of breath...seemingly due to something else, not the radiation, but they want to make sure.... My radiation doctor at Sloan Kettering said this radiation for such an early lung cancer is curative....So good luck because it sounds like you're gonna get through this and be okay........

Hi Blue,
I'm so sorry you had such a bad time with the scary information you were given and already being diagnosed with a tumor! I don't blame you for reacting as you did with high blood pressure, throwing up, shaking etc. I would have felt and reacted the same way! My husband had stage 4 lung cancer. He reacted badly to some of the treatments such as Keytruda and Chemotherapy. He finally refused any and all treatments so he never got to the radiation. However, he ate very healthy which for my husband was eating very good quality steak, burgers, roast beef and vegetables. We also prayed every day. God was there for us. My husband lived with stage 4 lung cancer for 14 years until he died at age 83 in 2024. Put all your faith in God. He will direct you in the best way for you. What worked for my husband may not work for you but God will direct you to what will work for you. After all, he made you and he can fix you! I will say a prayer for you also.

Remember too that it's your body and your money. You decide what is done to you. If you need to talk I have time.
I wish you the best.
PML

@blue717, I'm glad that you had a better experience with the radiation oncologist. Hearing the risks of our cancer can be shocking, should be delivered by a doctor, and preferably not over the phone. I have had several brain MRIs, just to make sure everything is ok. When these types of tests are offered to me, I try to think of it as getting a baseline. So, if anything changes over time we have an idea of what my 'normal' looks like. When do you have another appointment, or start radiation?

Ohhhh my! What a terrible experience you have had! I am so glad you shared it here with us. Perhaps we can be "ready" if something similar happens to us. I cannot imagine being given that sort of critical and private information by a receptionist! I recently had a very different experience with receiving that news by my thoracic surgeon. It was not good news, but at least I was with my husband and it was in a private office. He was very compassionate. I really do hope your next app't will be much better. After your strong reaction, the office should have noted it and will be much more sensitive. I will be interested in the results of your radiation therapy and hope you can share that. I don't know what will be my treatment will be yet, slated for a biopsy and MRI. I'm grateful for how quickly things are moving for me.

Hello Blue,
I’m sorry you experienced that, just horrible.
I’m so glad you had a better experience with the radiation oncologist.
I thankfully did not need treatment, so I am not familiar with radiation.
I am sending positive thoughts your way, and huge hugs 🤗

Dear Blue…first of all I believe your reaction was entirely normal. Receiving a cancer diagnosis in itself is scary. The diagnosis of stage 1 adenocarcinoma is considered very curable. It is very usual to do a PET Scan after that diagnosis to see if there is cancer anywhere else. Unfortunately before you were even able to digest the first diagnosis, the possibility of brain cancer I am sure put you in a total panic. I had SBRT for an adenocarcinoma…five treatments…quick and easy over two weeks which finished last July. I have had CT screenings every three months since then and now just graduated to every four months. Other than initial fatigue, I have led a full life doing everything I normally do. So, take a breath and try to get out of panic mode. The radiation oncologist will keep you informed. Yes you will have radiation scanxiety as it is called but the further you get away from the initial diagnosis, the better you will feel. Try to keep your mind in a peaceful place…reading, music…and try to not spend time looking at the what if’s on line. Your adenocarcinoma was discovered very early on, and although cancer was a very scary and hopeless diagnosis fifty years ago, it is not now with so many available treatments. I will be thinking of you…keep your chin up!

Proud of you…good for you!

How do all you people stay in such control? I am a mess. I'm either crying, worried about what if, or crying. I have a wonderful daughter, who has been with me every step of the way so far, but it is not up to her to soothe my fears 24/7. I do have a husband, but he cares nothing about me or the disease. The only mention we had about my diagnosis is "If I die, somebody better give him his driver's license back. He is 77, and his neurologist recommended that the state take it. So, most days I am on my own, alone with all these scary thoughts. I really don't have a point to this post; I guess I'm just scared with nowhere to go.

Hello @blue717
I’m sorry you are going through this. It is scary, frightening and your feelings are completely understandable. When I found out I had lung cancer I too was either crying, thinking, … then out of no where emotions would flood over me and the tears just flowed all over again. It’s only natural to feel this way.
I’m sorry your husband is not the support you need right now, I’m hoping he will be soon. I’m happy you have your daughter.
What helped me was reminding myself that they caught it early, that I have a great team… if I had a “what if” come to mind…. I answered it with “I’ll cross that bridge when and even if I have too”… I took lots of deep breaths until what I said sunk in.
Like you, I had stage 1 adenocarcinoma. Stage 1 is considered curable.
Hugs Blue, you do have a place to go when you are scared, it’s right here at mayo. 🤗
Daisy

@blue717
For me, the truth is that I do go have a cry on my own when I'm really down. There is no shame in crying. I have a husband who supports me, but right now he is grieving the loss of his dad. My daughter is supportive as well, but she lives over 2 hrs (of a drive) away. She also has a 10yrs old son who is on the scale of a 2 (out of 3 autism spectrum). She is doing everything she can, (even a therapist coming every other week), but he is becoming very challenging. I don't want to burden her too much with my stuff. So I understand how cancer can feel daunting. I have found some great support here, so stay with us! Are there any sort of support groups that you could attend in your area; or even participate in zoom gatherings while you wait for your "next steps"? If not, talk to us, we can help bc we have been thru similar situations and especially understand and your feelings. I have said this a million times on this forum, but I try to live with gratitude as much as I can. I am grateful for my awesome medical team and the amazing cancer hospital with Dr's trained in the latest techniques. I'm so grateful for summer with trees so green with new growth. You get the idea. I find it helpful to write down a list of what I am grateful for. It's a great reminder for me when I start to feel down.
There is a discussion in this group called "What brought you joy today". It's great to read and perhaps you will find something in there that you can connect with. Deep breaths, you've got this!