topic Re: Lung cancer diagnosis in I've just been diagnosed

Lung cancer diagnosis

jorob — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 04:27:39 GMT

I've just been diagnosed with stage 2 left upper lobe lung cancer.

I was told they won't operate, because it has spread to the lymph nodes.

Booked in for next Monday for a further PET scan, blood tests and an exploratory bronchoscopy.

As I am older, I am wondering if it really is worthwhile to undergo radiotherapy, which has been mentioned as a possible course of action.

Re: Lung cancer diagnosis

Lampwork54 — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 22:26:55 GMT

Hi Jorob,

I'm sorry that you have such a tough diagnosis. I'm not sure what you mean by being older. If you mean 102 years old then Radiotherapy is probably not an option for you. Any younger than that and I think radiotherapy will give you a better chance at overcoming the disease. I've read that the success rates now for lung cancer are pretty good. It's a tiring slog having treatment every day but well worth the effort if it can give you a cure, minimise the acceleration of the disease or even shrink the tumour. It all depends too on what your doctors advise. Let us know what happens next and its good to have a place to discuss these issues.

I wish you well for the future.

Re: Lung cancer diagnosis

Katekat — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 00:48:18 GMT

Morning @jorob,

I just wanted to check in and see how your scan and tests went? 💛

Re: Lung cancer diagnosis

jorob — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 23:33:39 GMT

I had the bronchoscopy last Monday. With lavage and brushings.

The PET scans showed one lung mass, and two lymph nodes on the same side were affected.

Visited the lung specialist on Thursday and he still is not able to give me a definitive answer.

Now has me referred to the hospital for some sort of needle biopsy. He did warn me that that there could possibly be a collapse of my lung because of this.

I'm just so tired of being pushed from one appointment to another, with various tests and so on, and I'm still no further ahead in knowing what the prognosis will be.

Re: Lung cancer diagnosis

jorob — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 18:57:32 GMT

Been advised by the hospital radiology centre that there would probably be a wait of 6 to 8 weeks before I can have the needle biopsy done. Unless the radiology doctor decides that it might be a little more urgent than that.

Re: Lung cancer diagnosis

Iyana271 — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 05:12:13 GMT

Hi, sorry to hear about your situation. Consult with your doctor regarding radiotherapy. He will suggest you best treatment option as per your age. I hope you'll get well soon.

But I think If your doctor is suggesting radiotherapy then it will surely work for you, be calm and be positive.

Best wishes!

Re: Lung cancer diagnosis

debbiev — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 11:55:41 GMT

Jacob this is the most frustrating and stressful time of cancer treatment when I was diagnosed last August it took about 15 days for the pathology test results to come back and three separate opinions. It seems senseless to you and me at the time but they have to be sure that they diagnose properly. For example I was diagnosed with Non hodgkins follicular lymphoma I later learned there is about 60 different types of lymphoma hence the correctness of the pathology Please keep a positive attitude at all times this is most important.

Re: Lung cancer diagnosis

jorob — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 01:18:04 GMT

I have the appointment now for the needle biopsy, it will be Tuesday next week - early in the morning.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it goes well and that I will be OK. No collapsed lung, or anything else that might go wrong.

I am on the wrong side of 70, nearing 80. Not really ready to give up just yet.

Re: Lung cancer diagnosis

Iyana271 — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 05:40:51 GMT

Best of luck with the needle biopsy! Keep your will power and positive thoughts strong and hope for the best results.

You're really brave that at this age you're fighting really well with cancer. I hope you'll get better soon, stay calm and keep fighting.

Best wishes!

Re: Lung cancer diagnosis

jorob — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 00:38:19 GMT

Just got the biopsy results. I have small cell lung cancer.

Re: Lung cancer diagnosis

Iyana271 — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 10:07:07 GMT

I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis! There are so many treatment options available to decrease signs of SCLC including radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, or combination of therapies to help you live longer. For SCLC doctors prefer to go with immunotherapy or chemotherapy.

If you smoke then it is better to quit smoking right away as it can be more harmful to your lungs. Talk with your doctor about the treatment options, including clinical trials, so you are comfortable with the treatment plan.

Best of luck!

Re: Lung cancer diagnosis

debbiev — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 12:36:45 GMT

Hi Iyana271

So sorry to hear about your diagnosis. You have friends here please keep us informed your progress.

There is some of us here that have gone thru some of the treatment that you are likely to go thru although we might not have had the same cancer they do have same sort to treatment. For example I have gone thru chemotherapy and now in remission but are going thru immunotherapy so if there is any questions you would like to ask please do. We all have your back here and will help as much as we can.

Good Luck we send our prayers to you.

Re: Lung cancer diagnosis

Iyana271 — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 11:53:08 GMT

Are you going through Immunotherapy recently?

Re: Lung cancer diagnosis

debbiev — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 13:37:00 GMT

Yes Iyana I am on rixtuximab injection every three months. My 1st one was on 14th February. Some days I get rather tired but that is one of the side effects. My next one is 14th May. I did have follicular lymphoma.

Iyana I just take each day as it comes and if I think about anything and it is not urgent I write it down to discuss with my cancer doctor next time I see him, or I ring him if it is urgent. This treatment goes for 2 years.

Re: Lung cancer diagnosis

jorob — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 01:54:11 GMT

Saw the oncologist today. He told me that he could "cure" my cancer with chemo.

Three weeks, three times a week with 2 drugs - carboplatin and etoposide.

He even told me that I wouldn't lose my hair - perhaps suffer some nausea.

I have completely lost faith.

At this stage, I have decided not to proceed, and he is referring me to the radiology oncologist.

Re: Lung cancer diagnosis

Iyana271 — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 04:38:24 GMT

Hi @jorob , If your doctor is assuring you that he can cure your disease and you'll not even lose your hairs then nothing can be the best option than this? Why have you lost faith and thinking negatively?

It is very important to keep faith in your doctor and trusting him. You must keep your attitude positive only then you can fight with cancer.

You must proceed as per doctor's advice so that you can get cured asap. I hope the treatment works well for you. Think of your family before making any decisions, it will boost your positive thoughts of surviving.

Stay positive and keep fighting!

Re: Lung cancer diagnosis

Iyana271 — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 04:52:45 GMT

I hope with time passing you'll recover soon and treatment will work well for you. You're already doing a great job by keeping in touch with your doctor and writing own everything that you need to know. It will also help your doctor to get the idea that what medicine is working best for you and he can adjust the dosage as per requirements.

Take care of yourself and if you face any of the side effects then contact your doctor asap.

Best of luck with your treatment!

Re: Lung cancer diagnosis

jorob — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 19:45:20 GMT

The reason I am losing faith is that the side effects on the information sheet are diametrically opposed to that which the oncologist told me.

I would very likely lose my hair.

I am already profoundly deaf in one ear and severely deaf in another and one of the proposed drugs quite often does cause hearing loss. Any further hearing loss for me would mean total and absolute deafness.

His version of "cure" does not have the same meaning to me. I believe he means delay my death for perhaps a year or so. He mentioned perhaps 2 years.

Re: Lung cancer diagnosis

Iyana271 — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 11:41:58 GMT

Well, I can understand how are you feeling right now! But it is better to go with the treatment at least you can live more. I if you will keep your attitude positive then it is possible that you can survive through this.

As for the side effects, there are other medications to deal with them that you can take as per your oncologist's advice.

But it is not a good idea to not take the treatment, it will only cause you more pain. There are so many survivors in this page you can read their stories and get inspiration from them. I hope you go with the treatment and get well soon.

Best of luck!

Re: Lung cancer diagnosis

Leanne71 — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 12:50:21 GMT

Hi Jorob,

I’m sorry hear of your small cell lung cancer diagnosis. My Mum was diagnosed in September 2017 (age 73) & was given 8-12 weeks to live without treatment. It all went fast from there, she was in hospital the following week to start Chemo. She handled it well initially then came some side effects which saw her in and out of hospital numerous times over 4-5 months. They found that she had another different cancer lying underneath this one ( squamous cell carcinoma) She then had radiation which was another story & didn’t agree with her. She had pneumonia during treatment 3 times. The Oncologist discussed immunotherapy with us which is totally different to chemo & radiation. It is amazing! My mum has immunotherapy every 3rd Friday and will do for the rest of her life. It is such an amazing & very successful treatment for her with no side effects. About to start the Cancer journey now with my dad who was just diagnosed yesterday.

Best of luck in your treatment, Xx