gonna start chemo

• By Munker
• Posted September 24, 2008 at 5:32 pm
• Report post

Hi. I am 49 and just had my right upper lobe removed (4 weeks) ago. I am trying the positive attitude, blah, blah, blah but I have some really rough days. Going to the oncologist on Monday and I will see where I go from here. You can vent all you want to me because I know the anger, fear, sadness and frustration that I have felt in the last month and it aint easy!

• Reply

• By whaletwins
• Posted September 24, 2008 at 6:35 pm
• Report post

I had my whole lung removed on aug 18th,what I am concerned with is where is the cancer now?? and why cant I have a cat scan to find it??I asked this and really didnt get an answer..will callon the phone and talk to the nurses again... I am suffering with anxiety attacks..taking ativan but seems to make me sleepy not calm. any ideas!?? Tina

• Reply

• By lms
• Posted September 24, 2008 at 10:13 pm
• Report post

My mom was diagnosed a few months ago with stage 3aNSCLC. She has undergone chemo (3doses) and 36 radiation treatments. She was in the hospital for over a week after the first chemo tx. and had horrible issues with the radiation/burns. BUT...the lymph node is clear, the lung tumor is shrunk to a size that is now not considered a threat. So basically, she is in remission. She smoked for a jillion years...she eats horrible and is normally crabby. She (as well as all of us) just decided from the get go that this was something that she could beat no matter the trouble to get there. She did it. So can you. One thing we always found helpful was to notice the blessings...no matter how small. The advice I received from my cousin (who lost a mom and a sister to cancer in the same year)... Take one day at a time and if that's to much...one moment at a time is good enough. I am excited for you to begin your journey and see that this is a very beatable (yet ugly) disease... but it is definately not an automatic death sentence.

• Reply

• By jima1028
• Posted September 27, 2008 at 8:31 pm
• Report post

I was diagnosed with stage IV adenocarcinoma in April, 2007. Spent the next 4 month undergoing chemo and achieved remission in Aug. For now, let's just say that I had both good days and bad days. There might be times when all the positive attitude in the world won't help. But...you still must get through it. Good support from family and friends is very helpful. But, be ready for the fact that they will sometimes not really know what to do. Believe it or not, there will be times that you will actually need to help them. Be strong! You can make it.

• Reply

• By Shawnnajohnny
• Posted September 27, 2008 at 11:51 pm
• Report post

My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in June and has had 4 chemo treatments and his cancer count is going down. I know it will be a rough fight but keep a positive attitude and know you will beat it and you can!!!! Thats what my dad is doing and it is working!!!

• Reply

• By Colleen
• Posted September 28, 2008 at 7:41 am
• Report post

I was diagnosed in November 06, Stage 3B NSCLC, RUL Lobectomy. Chemotherapy was not that bad for me, hope it's not that bad for you. Mainly fatigue and hair loss. Try and keep a positive attitude, I know it's not always easy to do!

• Reply

• By Stellyq
• Posted September 28, 2008 at 8:45 am
• Report post

You definetly have the right attitude, and I will pray for the chemo to do its job. You have found the right place on this site, so much love support and inspiration. We are all here to help, so ask away if you have any questions...

Love and Peace
Stella

• Reply

• By whaletwins
• Posted September 28, 2008 at 10:32 am
• Report post

thanks..all of you makes a day go by so nice to hear this cancer doesnt have to kill you!! Still making Sunday dinners..all the kids that arent working make it home! I think I found the right place on line for support! thanks!!!!!!!!

• Reply

• By duffer18hcp
• Posted September 28, 2008 at 12:23 pm
• Report post

I am do to start Chemo soon also. Not sure when though. Right now I have a radioactive plaque sewn to my eyeball. Originally it was ocular melanoma cordial. Since then they have found an egg sized tumor in the lung with multiple lymph nodes involved. Biopsy says Small cell carcinoma. I can't really meet with my oncologist yet but have talked to her on the phone. She tells me stage 3B so we need to be agressive. I'm a pretty tough cookie, but being strong for everyone else is getting old. Also being a realist is not helping others when I can talk so frankly about it. I try to stay positive but I'm really scared as hell.

• Reply

• By rdeegee
• Posted September 28, 2008 at 1:21 pm
• Report post

I had my upper right and middle lobe removed August 12 and have just had a chemo cath installed. I have a pain on the right side from surgery and on th left from the cath...it's getting harder every day to put on the happy face. I start chemo next Thursday...I posted about it already, Carboplatin and Taxol. I'm nervous but if I want to live I don't have any choice...

duffer said...

but being strong for everyone else is getting old. Also being a realist is not helping others when I can talk so frankly about it.

and I agree, I get tired of always trying to keep up the front for everyone around me and I too think that I am the only one that has actually given any thought to the fact that I may just die from this. I said something ..don't remember what now about cancer and dying, and the look of shock on the persons face was like..Oh my could you actually die... I've been struggling with a little coping problem for the last week or so and I think that is mostly what it's all about...I'll honestly face this thing and fight it but I need a little honesty on the part of those around me too.

But truthfully, you get up every day and everyday you step into the plan that has been mapped out for you. We are all praying for a good outcome and are more than willing to do whatever it takes to get there. Good Luck on your journey.

• Reply

Add to the discussion