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Is there hope with no surgery?

elkspringer
  • By elkspringer
  • Posted December 1, 2008 at 7:52 am · 11 replies
  • Shared with the public
0 Recommendations

What an emotional 2 weeks this has been, and we aren't finished yet. My mom goes in on Wednesday to see if the lymph nodes are involved. If they are, will they be able to do surgery? She is only 50 years old, and my 7 year old daughter and her are so close. This is all such a shock, even still. I'm doing better, more nervous for Wednesday. They are talking about doing a PET scan, I hope they do, but on the other hand, I worry what it might show. First, they thought the lymph nodes might be involved because she was getting over pheniea (SP), I hope that is still the case. Does anyone, have any poionters or anything on what might happen this week?

Explore topics in this journal entry and replies:

Cancer Surgery Lung cancer

11 replies

Ramona

Yes, There is hope even without surgery. This site is a testimony to the many of us who have survived even without surgery and intend to keep doing so. You do not say whether your mother is at a major cancer center or where she lives.

I would strongly advise a magor cancer center.

Also 2nd opinion.

elkspringer

She is at a cancer center in Idaho. She really likes her doctor, as does my dad. Me, I'm not too sure. I think he knows what he is doing, but we need more tests before anything can be started, which I understand will happen this week. I am the oldest of 4 kids, its hard for me to stay positive, and not let my brother and sisters, and my mom down. I don't think they are moving fast enough for me, but maybe there are.

Gretchen

It can seem that everything is in slow motion at the beginning. They have to do a lot of tests in order to determine the best treatment. In my case it was 6 weeks from CT scan to surgery. The PET scan is an excellent indicator of whether there is cancer in other parts of the body, and if there is, they would do chemo rather than surgery. Sometimes they do chemo first and then surgery, and often it's the other way around. Of course you're scared and so is your mom. It's ok to share your real feelings, because that gives her permission to do the same.
Good luck and God bless.
Gretchen

Ramona

My surgeon told me a couple of weeks one way or the other makes not difference. He thought it more important I first build up my strength after chemo before undergoing surgery. Took a month to do that.

elkspringer

Gretchen, Thank you for your support. I have read a lot of survivor stories out there, and that is helping me. My mom is my world, and I just worry so much about her, she had promised to quit smoking, and hasn't yet another worry for me. My husband said, honey, the damage is done, let her make her own choice. I have a hard time with that, if she would quit, I beleive it would help for the future too. I think she will, its just all still such a shock to us. Hopefully, we'll know something this week and can get started, sooner than later, that is the only thing I want for Christmas this year, is for my mom to be OK. There has to also be help, somewhere to help pay for costs, as she has no insurance to boot! But, one step at a time, is all we can do, the most important thing, is getting her better, and being there for my dad and mom through all of this.

Gretchen

Talk to your hospital social worker right away about the costs, and also contact CancerCare.com -- they can point you to resources to help with the costs. They also have excellent online support groups for people with cancer and for family members.
Gretchen

Ruthy

I am almost 56 years old . Found my stage 4 lung cancer sept 2007. Lymp nodes ddown my chest bone and one tumor in my right chest and one down below the rib deep inside . I could not have surgery. I just had scans on my brain lung liver and kidney. No sign of desease called for short ned... So your mom is young she can beat this.. They really didn't give me much hope .. But hey have changed there tune. lol Good luck also if your mom smokes get her to quit it can only help her to stop smoking ..

pambolek

I have stage IV was diagnosed in Sept 2005. I am on my fifth therapy. Just recently quit working when I started on weekly chemo. I have a good quality of life and for the first 2 1/2 years i would have to say the quality of my life was excellant. There is hope.
Pam

elkspringer

Thank you for your reply Ruthy. It has given me hope. I just need to keep my faith strong, and keep my hope up. My mom, is over weight, and I just hope, she can lose some weight and get heathlier now, I worry so much about her, you are my angel, thank you.

bridgett75

I was told Sept 06 the cancer spread from the right lung throughout the torso. My husband said it looked like a blizzard. I wouldn't look. Every appt. I would ask if surgery was possible. I know he got tired of the same question. After nine months the cancer was only in the original spot in the right lung. When he walked in the room I asked agaain and he said YES. In Aug 07 I had my lower right lobe removed. they also took 7 lymph nodes 1 did show cancer. I was on lots of chemo until March 08. I've beenNED for over a year!!! So don't give up hope. God Bless You, Bridgett

AnnMariesdaughter

bridgett75.........what kind of treatment did you receive to get rid of the large amount of mets (the "blizzard")? Your story is wonderful! Were any of your mets in your bones?

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