Chemo after lung cancer surgery

I was in exactly the same position in 2014 following surgery to remove my right lung and at the time it was a bit of a shock as nobody had mentioned chemo before. My oncologist explained that this treatment is recommended based on numerous factors including staging and examination by pathology of tissue removed during surgery. I was told that, although surgery is by far the best treatment for a cure, there can be a further 5 percentage points added to survival rates by chemo. 

I thought about it very carefully and decided that, after all I'd been through so far, I wanted to take all available chances to increase my prospect of survival. I also thought that, if I declined and the cancer returns somethime in the future, I didn't want to also face the regret of not having chemo when it was too late to go back.

Chemo isn't nice but I found it doable and it's a long distant memory now. I also considered at the time that it's not compulsory and if at any time after I started it I could stop if it turned out to be really bad or I couldn't tolerate it. I don't have any regrets at all but it's a personal decision each of us must take supported by family as necessary. Unfortunately the treatment should start relatively soon after surgery which doesn't make things easy when deciding and this was the same for me.

I hope you can comfortably reach a decision and wish you all the very best for the future whichever way you decide to go. Come back if there's anything more you'd like to ask.

All the best, Derek.

Hello Ginger Biscuit

I had a segmentectomy on 14th December, very small tumour but had to be done by open surgery due to where it was.  Said they had got it all but the histology had it as a high grade neuroendocrine and it had already spread to local lymph nodes so I started the chemo route just over a week ago.  Understand where you are coming from regarding recovery from surgery not really felt right since this was done and my chest still feels like I have a constrictor around it.  Its your choice on treatment but talk to the oncologist they usually tell it like it is and good luck if you opt for the chemo route.  Happy to chat if you need a chemo buddy.

Mo

Thank you for your reply. I have an appointment on Wednesday so will see what they have to say but think I have decided to go the Chemo route, it seems the decisions never stop once on this path. Take care.

Thank you for your reply. I wasn’t expecting to make a decision re Chemo as Surgeon was so positive and nodes they removed that apparently looked suspicious turned out non cancerous. Because I had  cancer in each lobe Respiratory are recommending Chemo but also say it is my choice. But having talked through with family will probably go the Chemo route. I have a meeting with Oncology on Wednesday so will see what they have to say. I must admit I feel a bit clueless about all this. Mine was open surgery through the back from which I am suffering so much nerve pain let alone trying to rest in any position I felt I want to recover from just this but do understand that timing is also an important factor. Chemo scares me more than the operation to be honest but I expect I will come out the other side, upwards and onwards as they say. Carole

Hi Carole

How did you get on with the Oncologist.  Sorry not got back to you before but ended up in hospital for 3 days with Neutropenia and possible infection.  Luckily they managed to get me back under control and have round 2 of Chemo on Friday.  Its all a bit of a roller coaster ride at the moment as just finished 4 weeks of radiotherapy for a cancer on my face, if you click on my name it will take you to my profile which is getting rather like a novel.  As said am here if you want to chat.

Mo

Hi Mo sorry for not responding earlier, been feeling like a headless chicken and also sorry it sounds like you have had a rough time so hope you are fairing better now.

I have my first round of chemo on Monday and am not looking forward to it at all. This is all so alien I am afraid it has just made me want to withdraw and reading other people’s posts is not reassuring as like yourself everyone seems to have a rough journey.

you take care Carole

Hi Carole

First one had a few side effects but I was having radiotherapy for a different cancer at the same time and I think it was a big shock to my system.  They adjusted my meds on the second round and to be honest it has not been too bad at all.  Yes I get tired easily but have managed to do basic housework and have got out for a couple of walks with the dog not going far but felt good to leave the house avoiding people as much as possible and wearing a mask.  I refuse to give in to it.  So just take it as it comes it is not as bad as I thought it was going to be I have my third session on Friday so half way through and there is light at the end of the tunnel.  Good luck for Monday, take your sickness meds etc, first session made me sick but been fine this last time.  What are they going to give you I am on Carboplatin and Etopiside IV then i get sent home with Etopiside tablets to take for a further 2 days.

All the best Mo xx