Breast cancer survivor now lung cancer , not lung mets.
Comments
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Glad to hear you are back home and doing OK. I can't imagine even thinking about a treadmill so soon after surgery. That's very encouraging. I agree that the lung surgery was MUCH more painful than the mastectomy. BTW, I still have an occasional cough, which they say is still related to the surgery, as well as occasional shooting pains on the side of the surgery (it's been almost 5 months). They say this is normal, and can be present for many months after the surgery. Hope you do see steady gains.
Pessa
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Is This For Real-- I was surprised to read that you plan to work on the treadmill...actually raised my eyebrows and stared at the screen as memories of my first week post op came flooding back! Did the doctor suggest this for your recovery? Probably on a very slow setting I imagine, and build from there...like taking slow walks around the house or the block? Like Pessa, I used the respirator with the little balls for a while, walked a bit in the house, then found my way back to bed for at least a week. Then again, we all heal differently...I'm 65, aka old, and not mending like I did when I was younger. I take more naps now too. Take care.
Pessa, hi to you too.
Best wishes to all as always,
M
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Am having increased and more localized pain in my chest and have developed a rubbing type of sound with breathing when I lay on my side (where the cancer was). I am quite worried. I called my surgeon and have a CT and an app't with him in 2 weeks (he will be out of town until then). I am very concerned and don't know how I will survive for the 2 weeks. I could call my MO and try to make an app't with her in the meantime and maybe get an x-ray.. The CT is just in time for my 6 month CT (will be my first after the surgery). Any words of encouragement??
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Pessa...my first inclination is to say visit the ER. You don't want to wait until doctor's schedules are free to determine the cause of chest pains. I had a similar experience several weeks after surgery...gripping chest pain (frightening!). I waited for it to pass...it occurred again within a day...this was very disturbing. The third time, my brother and DH saw me holding my chest in pain and called 911. The ER did a CT. Heart issues were ruled out (wheww!). They discussed theories related to post surgical healing...nerves too were part of that. I've not had this problem since then. This surgery is not an easy recovery...it takes time...step by step.
Hope this helps. Sorry that I only saw the post now.
Best wishes to all as always,
M
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Thanks for your kind response. I am actually feeling better today, though not 100%. I am OK at this point to wait 2 weeks, as there has been some improvement. I am hoping it's some sort of a viral infection, or as you suggest, part of this difficult healing process. When I would get strange pains after my mastectomies I didn't panic at all. This lung cancer is a whole different thing,
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I totally agree, this lung cancer is a whole different thing. How've you been feeling lately Pessa? Any improvement? I totally agree with visiting the ER and not waiting it out.
Sorry for taking so long to log back in, I tried the other day but the website would just not cooperate with me. But, I made it on now and am happy to be here..
Some not great news about my pathology...seems the mediastinal lymph node is affected and possibly the hilar lymph node. Not sure if there was escaped the node or not. (Can't remember the word...information overload here). Since then I"ve had ct's, more xrays, an mri coming up. My picc line was booked and chemo was booked for the 16th of June, but they called me today and cancelled everything until they do a PET scan. Argh, that's frustrating and so scary.
I did go on the treadmill with my first walk being .16 miles in total...haha! That's ok though, and I took it really slow. I slept so much the first 2 weeks, and went through a lot of T3's to get me through. I just got back on the treadmill and my first walk was just under a mile, and is now almost a mile and a half. Although, I'm thinking I should maybe concentrate more on distance rather than walking the 20 minute mile. Regardless, I think we do better with some people with both their lungs! The human body is amazing at recovering (I'm 50 y/o), but at the same time I'm pretty scared out of my wits. Maybe it's good things are postponed for a week or so...it'll give me time to get a few more things in order and off my mind as a result.
We had quite the thundershower today, which was nice because my husband was able to shut down a bit early and we actually got to see each other for a change. Spring and fall are his busy times so it's always harder. But, looking forward to some beautiful temps and just enjoying family, friends, and life. Hope you're all having an awesome day.
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Hi, Isthisfor real,
I am in a holding pattern at this point. I have a CT this wednesday and will be meeting with the surgeon an hour later for his review of the CT. A nervous about what might be found because of the symptoms I had and am still having a little of.
I am sorry to hear about the positive nodes. Hopefully the PET will be OK and they can get on with the chemo.
You see to be doing great n the treadmill. That says a lot about your ability to heal. I did a lot of walking this week and find that I do get more out of breath than the person I am walking with. Its frustrating, but not unexpected. If I don't talk while I am walking, it is much better. Also, going up a incline, no matter how shallow, makes things significantly worse.
Wishing you well on all of your PET. Hope my CT comes out OK and that they pain and such that i am experiencing is due to arthritis or something.
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Yes walking can definitely have it's challenges and like you, I'm not talking while walking either! Bending is another task that gets me every time. I just get so out of breath when I have to bend, it's ridiculous! I'm glad you've started walking and it'll only get better from here, you'll continue to get stronger.
I hope you're feeling better. Thinking of you while you're Ct approaches and hoping for the very best results for you.
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Thanks! CT and surgeon tomorrow. Am actually feeling better but still quite nervous due to the rattleing I had several times in my chest recently (called a rub), which is not normal and which I have not had previously. Will let you all know (assuming I haven't completely fallen aprat at the news).
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Pessa...with you tomorrow whatever the news. I'm not familiar with the term "rub" but I had a cough that I didn't have before the surgery that has since resolved. Hope yours resolve.
ITFR...walking and talking is much better but still a 'reminder' so to speak.
one step at a time...
Marilyn
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Good news! Had a CT scan today, met with the surgeon, who read the scan, He said all was negative, no signs of cancer. He had no explanation for the rub but was not worried (it has since gone away). The scan will be read by a radiologist, but the surgeon is confident that all is well. Will be getting a CT every 6 months for the next 5 years then yearly.
I am so relieved. I have been terrified for the last few weeks. Hard to live that way. Now, when I have a headache or pain I won't be so worried (at least until the next CT rolls around).
Hope all is well with everyone.
Pessa
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Pessa...very happy for you.
Marilyn
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Good for you Pessa!! So good to hear!!
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Thank you all for your support!
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Hi and hope all are recovering ... thought you'd find this interesting...a new approach to lung cancer research...
Best wishes to all as always,
Marilyn
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Very interesting. Thanks. I did not have squamous cell cancer. Glad they are doing research on all types. I am doing OK. Hope everyone else is as well.
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Pessa, glad to hear you're doing OK. Mine was not squamous cell either. But it feels as though something might open up in research for all of us.
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Hi Ladies,
Hope this finds you in good spirits and healing from your surgeries. I'm scheduled for my check-up PET next week. Fingers crossed.
Best,
Marilyn
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Good to hear from you. Wishing you well next week. Please let us know the outcome. Hoping for a negative scan!!
I'm OK. I'm feeling like I am more short of breath recently, when I do every day things, but my 11-13 minute walk before I go to work each morning (most) takes me the same amount of time to cover the same distance, so maybe things are unchanged.
Hope to hear good news from you!
Pessa
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The doc just now called to say the pet scan today looked good!! I'm doing the happy dance!
Best wishes to all as always,
Marilyn
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I am SO happy to hear that. I am getting more nervous as my next CT is approaching (December). Your getting a clear PET scan gives me hope. Congratulations!
Pessa
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Pessa, I wish you the best in December...you'll let us know. These moments are always a bit nervous. I never get used to them. It was a slow motion eternity between seeing the caller ID from the doc and getting the news. I'll see her next week.
I am ever grateful for everyone here. No one knows our story better than those who are in the fight. Thanks for being there for the bad news and the good news.
Marilyn
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Much congrats Marilyn on your pet scan results! Thanks for sharing it with the community, we are delighted for you :-)
From the moderators
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Hi Ladies!
Just checking in with hopes that you all are managing your therapy and growing stronger. I noticed that I needed until late summer before the chemo brain cleared. So I drove 3 hrs. north through the mountains, spent the night in a beautiful town where I was getting an antique rocking chair repaired...family heirloom. I drove home the next day. I was thrilled to realize that my brain was processing more than over all of last year. I was also thrilled to realize that I enjoyed the trip.
I have some wheeze when I exert, and naps are still welcomed in the afternoon. But considering that I'm awakened at 6:30 am by my dogs Stella and Napo and the daily chores follow from there, I think I'm doing OK. My oncologist's advise was to leave the medicine to her and go enjoy the world around me. That was good advise. I see here again in Dec for a follow-up and a PET every 6 mo., so for now, all is clear.
Best wishes to all as always,
Marilyn
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Hello,
Good to hear that you are doing well. I am also waiting for my December CT scan, hoping that it will be negative. I'm getting nervous as the time approaches. I had a cold last month and it took weeks for my cough to go away, which really scared me. It is, however, finally over.
Just curious, I looked at your stats, why was lung cancer stage 2b if it was small (2 cm). Mine was 3.5 cm and was stage 1b. It also looks like you are coming onto 10 yrs for your BC. that's great!
Your trip sounds lovely. I am still working and will have to for another 6 years, the way I figure. My youngest is still in high school and I would like to work so I can help with college. I hope I live long enough to enjoy a retirement. In the meantime, however, I changed positions within my company and my work is much less stressful than it has been, which makes a big difference.
Wishing the best to all and, Marilyn, hope you get good news in Dec.
Pessa
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Hi Pessa,
Thank you to note that it is 9 years (Sept '05) since my breast cancer surgery and treatments. Every year counts :-)
We'll face the December visits one day at a time. Last year this time I was barely able to eat or engage in much else beyond the illness. Today, I'm sitting at my desk in front of my garden window with the sun streaming in and perceiving just how grateful I am to be fully aware of the moment.
About my 2b status...they originally called it stage 1 until the tumor was presented to the round table discussions, and then to a second opinion at UC Davis. As I understand it, there were foci on the pathology report that are suspected to be slow growing tumors. They are also suspected to be in both lungs. So my status was reclassified as between 2-3 http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/staging This is why I agreed to chemo--more aggressive therapy. I'm glad that therapy is in the rear view mirror. I also had my genes mapped for hopefully, targeted therapies as they may, or may not be developed. Personalized medicine is a growing industry but not yet fully developed.
Hang in there!
Best wishes to all as always,
M
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FYI for all--share the news....
LUNGevity Foundation Applauds CMS Decision for Medicare and Medicaid Coverage of High Risk Population CT Scans
Decision Means Potential to Save 12,000 Lives Annually
WASHINGTON (November 10, 2014) – LUNGevity Foundation President Andrea Ferris today applauded the announcement by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of their draft decision to approve coverage of low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening for high-risk lung cancer populations.
Ferris commented, "LUNGevity is thrilled about the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) preliminary decision to cover annual low-dose CT scans for those at high risk of a lung cancer diagnosis. This screening has the potential to reduce lung cancer deaths for this population by up to 20%. LUNGevity is grateful for the hard work of key healthcare organizations, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, Lung Cancer Alliance, and the 45 Senators and 134 House representatives who stood up for this decision, which has great positive impact on our nation's growing Medicare population."
Pierre P. Massion, M.D., chair of LUNGevity Foundation's Scientific Advisory Board and director of the Thoracic Program at the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, also commented on the CMS decision, "I am very heartened by the CMS decision to reimburse low-dose CT scans for those Medicare beneficiaries who are at high risk for lung cancer. The benefits of screening for lung cancer and finding it early are unequivocal. The approval of coverage for Medicare beneficiaries means potentially saving 12,000 lives. At the same time, critical lung cancer research must continue to accelerate our knowledge about who is at risk for lung cancer, how frequently they should be screened and how to treat those who have been diagnosed. This is a very good decision for our nation's high risk lung cancer patients, and for those in the medical community who care for them."
218 S. Wabash Ave., Suite 540
Chicago, IL 60604
312-407-6100 -
Great. Thanks for the info.
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I had my 6 month CT scan today and it was negative! It's been a year since my surgery (a couple of weeks short). I am relieved but somehow still worried. The last 2 days have been awful as I awaited the CT and the doctor's app't. I guess i will slowly return to normal (until the next CT in 6 months). Hope all is well with everyone,
Pessa
CT was for follow up of my lung cancer. Saw my MO a couple of months ago regarding the breast cancer and all seems to be quiet there as well. I has been almost 5 years (diagnosed Feb 2010).
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Hi Pessa! So glad to hear that the CT was clear! Yes, I agree, that the run up to the day of the check up is pure he!! I had a follow up appt. this past Thursday. I thought to you often. I'm so glad to know that you have good results.
I talked to the oncologist about the pain in my right breast...probably radiation aftermath from 2005. We talked about my aging body and arthritis...she ordered PT. We talked about the fact the Medicare approves PET scan only 4 per liftetime...I've used 3 until now. We'll be using CT for control checks in the near future. We talked about my need to stay healthy "enough" to care for my disabled husband. I couldn't control the tears either. But I also told my oncologist that in between this mess, we have wonderful dinner parties with friends and look forward to every minute of them.
Angels are all around..."never run faster than you guardian angel can fly".
Best wishes to all as always,
Marilyn
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