Welcome to the group. I know you have
found a home here as there are many different members who will be able to answer
the questions you posed.
My husband has been battling small cell lung
cancer with mets to the lymph and bone marrow since December 1997. They're
checking him out now to see if the cancer has spread to the spine. As you
already know, there are ups and downs (the roller coaster ride) of cancer.
My husband, Jim, has had good times and bad times. His cancer is much
different than yours but would be happy to swap stories with you any
time.
Let me address the question about your doctor
first. The doctor/oncologist is working for you, not the other way
around. If you have any doubts about what he/she is doing, by all means
get a 2nd, 3rd, etc., opinion until you find a doctor that you feel you can
trust to be determining the best protocol for you. After my husband
finished up all of his chemo, his onc., who we dearly love and believe in, cut
him loose for 3 months. She said that she didn't want to be subjecting to
any more tests than were necessary. When I questioned that length of time,
she said that now that Jim had experienced cancer, he would be the first to know
if/when something went awry and that it was then his responsibility to get in to
see her ASAP. And she was right. He's since had a lymph
"explode"(for lack of a better word, it swole up to the size of an
orange over a 2 day timeperiod). He's now taking 30 doses of radiation for
that. He's also having some serious pain in his pelvic and leg area.
They did a bone scan which showed nothing out of order, so yesterday she sent
him for an MRI to see if it showed up anything. So the important thing for
you is to have faith in your onc. (if you don't, change dr.s ASAP) and in
yourself because you know you better than anybody.
Now for the "pity party" bit.
Girl you are entitled to this!!! You have a terrible disease and are
probably scared to death. That's one of the good things about being on the
MOL list with us. You can tell us of your fears, anger, whatever is on
your mind and we will not judge you, we will just love you. We are here
for you as I know you will be here for us.
As far as nutritional supplements, we have
several experts on the board that I will leave it to them to give you some
options.
What part of the country are you from. We
have members here that are spread out all across the country and might be able
to offer you some suggestions on local resources.
Last item (no, I didn't go in order, seldom do,
it's one of my faults), you mentioned that you were going back to work next
month. That's fantastic if you are able. In my opinion, and I have
many of them!!!, that seems awfully fast. When next month gets here, if
you still don't feel strong enough to return to the work force, then
don't. You don't need to overdo things before your body is
ready.
I was diagnosed with
bronchoaveolar adenocarcinoma of the lung in January 1998. Since
that time, after some searching we decided on 2 courses of chemo followed
by 5 weeks of daily radiation. This was followed by surgery.
(removal of my left lung on 5/29/98). I am 33 years old with a
2 1/2 year old and a wonderful husband.
The surgery went
well, but recently I ended up in the hospital for 10 days with an
infection. (I just got out Saturday.) I am amazed at how much
it takes out of our bodies to be in the hospital. I walked and
walked there, but I still came home feeling bloated and have had some
difficulty moving around. Making myself do it anyway and that seems
to help. On the positive side, I feel much stronger than I did when I
went in to the hospital...so I guess it did some good.
I wanted to introduce myself to the group and see if there is anyone
out there like me--especially with lung cancer. I am really trying
to get over the "pity party" aspect of this process. I
find myself in tears 5 to 10 times a day over really stupid things.
Technically they call my stage 3A and the statistics are scary. I
guess it has always been true, but it was news to me that life doesn't
come with so many years guaranteed.
Next month I will need to go back
to work. This month, I am trying to buck up and take control.
My issues right now, if anyone can help are:
1. I have
been happy with my oncolgoist and surgeon to now, but am frustrated with
their concept lung cancer follow up. An xray every two months just
doesn't seem like much of an attack. No one seems to be able to
tell me what kind of battle plan we can draw if the "what if"
happens. I am a planner and want to be ready. What is your
experience with follow up? With looking down the road and trying to
strategize?
2. I am interested in nutritional supplements but don't
know where to turn.
3. Would like to hear from some of you
living with one lung. Any tips? I am doing pretty well, but
would like to do better.
Blessings to you all.
--Tracy Goad
Walter
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