Well, THIS sucks
A work in progress
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 16,633
Well, THIS sucks
So I was feeling pretty good about my good blood work for my recent doctor's visit--she was thrilled about my weight loss and my blood sugar and blood pressure had both dropped to normal. I went back for my yearly low-dose CT scan for lung cancer screening, which I had started (at her suggestion) a year ago. There was a small nodule, but when I went back for a repeat a few months later, no change, so they told me to come back in a year.
Anyway, followup visit with pulmonologist today, and the damn thing is larger than it was a year ago. Nothing dramatic--it went from .7 cm to .9 cm. Bottom line, it is almost certainly malignant (1-2 percent chance it isn't).
So I am having my fun, concert-filled summer interrupted by surgery to remove one of the lobes of my left lung. I'm not freaking out--he said they will remove the lymph nodes and do a PET scan, and if those are clear the surgery should be the only treatment I will need--not even chemo/ radiation.
My job is very supportive--they have said, "Anything you need." I told my brother and my ex (kiddos' dad), and have decided NOT to say anything at all to my 87-y/o dad, who would do nothing but worry endlessly about this for the rest of his life.
I will probably have to spend a week in the hospital, which is right now the worst part of the deal. I have an appointment for a breathing test tomorrow (to make sure my lung capacity is sufficient--no shortness of breath, so that shouldn't be an issue), and an appointment with the surgeon next week. Hopefully I can get this surgery scheduled ASAP and I can get on with my summer. Fortunately, no work travel scheduled till September (though doing a training day after tomorrow about 3 hours away from here).
Anyway, just wanted to share. Good thoughts, vibes welcome.
Anyway, followup visit with pulmonologist today, and the damn thing is larger than it was a year ago. Nothing dramatic--it went from .7 cm to .9 cm. Bottom line, it is almost certainly malignant (1-2 percent chance it isn't).
So I am having my fun, concert-filled summer interrupted by surgery to remove one of the lobes of my left lung. I'm not freaking out--he said they will remove the lymph nodes and do a PET scan, and if those are clear the surgery should be the only treatment I will need--not even chemo/ radiation.
My job is very supportive--they have said, "Anything you need." I told my brother and my ex (kiddos' dad), and have decided NOT to say anything at all to my 87-y/o dad, who would do nothing but worry endlessly about this for the rest of his life.
I will probably have to spend a week in the hospital, which is right now the worst part of the deal. I have an appointment for a breathing test tomorrow (to make sure my lung capacity is sufficient--no shortness of breath, so that shouldn't be an issue), and an appointment with the surgeon next week. Hopefully I can get this surgery scheduled ASAP and I can get on with my summer. Fortunately, no work travel scheduled till September (though doing a training day after tomorrow about 3 hours away from here).
Anyway, just wanted to share. Good thoughts, vibes welcome.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: W Washington
Posts: 11,589
i think we go back far enough where i can say "well thank god it's not about the foundation!!!!" and you know that is meant with love!
that does suck. early detection and testing is so key - i'm glad this was already on the radar and has been monitored. this is where sticking with the Next Indicated Thing is just crucial, not getting too far ahead or freaking out.
lots and lots of good thoughts and vibes, juju and mojo coming your way!
that does suck. early detection and testing is so key - i'm glad this was already on the radar and has been monitored. this is where sticking with the Next Indicated Thing is just crucial, not getting too far ahead or freaking out.
lots and lots of good thoughts and vibes, juju and mojo coming your way!
A work in progress
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 16,633
Originally Posted by AnvilheadII 
i think we go back far enough where i can say "well thank god it's not about the foundation!!!!"
I've spent the past couple of days working on an op-ed piece for work, related to the Cosby case. They called an expert in that case to explain victim behavior (in fact, I'm doing a training on that this week). I told my boss, I'd be the victim nobody believed because I'd be the one cracking jokes during the rape kit exam. People react to traumatic events/news in very individual ways. I'm not pretending this doesn't make me a bit nervous, but I'm nowhere near panic mode. Works for me.
Nature Girl
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: By The Lake
Posts: 60,328
Lexie, this cancer survivor and her cancer survivor husband are keeping you in our prayers and feeling optimistic that the doctors have this...all you need to do is show up.
I too found that humour saw us both through some rough days, but this is 2017 and the treatments today are awesome. Just do the next thing until this is done,
When you get scared, take a good look at the nurses feet and if you see a pair of bunny slippers you will know I snuck in to supervise.
Hugs
I too found that humour saw us both through some rough days, but this is 2017 and the treatments today are awesome. Just do the next thing until this is done,
When you get scared, take a good look at the nurses feet and if you see a pair of bunny slippers you will know I snuck in to supervise.
Hugs
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Pa
Posts: 4,872
Lexie,
You are one of the strongest people that I know. You will do just fine. Another cancer survivor here. Breast (1A) Cervical (3B).
When going through this you need to have your humor about you. It helps you get you through things, especially the hospital food.
Guessing you will be on the oncology ward after surgery. Mine did not allow flowers into the room. (Just so that you know, in case someone wants to send you flowers)
I also had a lymph node removed. Mine was from my armpit. Most likely that is where yours will be from. No problem with that. I think I did have a bag attached to me for about 2 days for the draining, but no big deal. There might be a numbness there afterwards, it may stay, may go away, mine stayed, but at least no one can tickle me there anymore. I don't feel it. (lol)
Sending may good vibes and prayers your way. Make sure you bring your computer to the hospital to give us updates.
Thinking of you
(((((((((((hugs))))))))))
amy
You are one of the strongest people that I know. You will do just fine. Another cancer survivor here. Breast (1A) Cervical (3B).
When going through this you need to have your humor about you. It helps you get you through things, especially the hospital food.
Guessing you will be on the oncology ward after surgery. Mine did not allow flowers into the room. (Just so that you know, in case someone wants to send you flowers)
I also had a lymph node removed. Mine was from my armpit. Most likely that is where yours will be from. No problem with that. I think I did have a bag attached to me for about 2 days for the draining, but no big deal. There might be a numbness there afterwards, it may stay, may go away, mine stayed, but at least no one can tickle me there anymore. I don't feel it. (lol)
Sending may good vibes and prayers your way. Make sure you bring your computer to the hospital to give us updates.
Thinking of you
(((((((((((hugs))))))))))
amy
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