Lung cancer advice needed

Hi Steve. It is always hard when your oncologist gives you choices of treatment. I think it is much easier when they tell you what you need, so you can get on with it. From all the material I have read it always tells you that surgery is always the best chance for a cure. I have not had a lobectomy, but I have had radiotherapy. I had quite a few problems with my arm after radiotherapy, it was difficult for me to put it above my head, and my right (ribs) and chest still get sore. 

Something to think about is if you have surgery and it comes back you can still have radiotherapy. If you have radiotherapy and it comes back then you probably won’t be given the surgery option again. 

Aha! Now that is really helpful - thank you so much.

I haven't had the final word yet, though the consultant they are trying to set up a meeting with (train strikes are NOT helping!) specialises in VATS so I assume that's what I'll be told.

After much checking my personal choices were, in order, VATS then radio and finally openchest but I haven't been here before and needed guidance.

Sorry you are having problems still. I'm starting to realise there are no easy rides here whatever the options, just staying alive is what counts so I still count myself as lucky.

kind regards
Steve

You're right, there are no easy rides in this!

Your level of fitness should definitely give you a big advantage. I can't offer any comments on a lobectomy as I had my right lung removed by open surgery, so much more invasive. However, although not at your fitness level, I was a golf nut and palyed at every opportunity and I firmly believe that my general fitness played a big part in my recovery. Obviously it takes time but all I can say is that I hardly notice any difference at all and did return to golf. I certainly count myself lucky to have been offered surgery and continue to do so some 8 and a half years later - it is as chellisimo says the best chance for a cure. I too was offered radiotherapy as an alternative but discounted it for the same reasons you appear to be thinking of.

You definitely need to talk to the surgeon about this, I'm sure they will be able to give you some reassurance of what you can expect in terms of recovery and return to your fitness regime.

I wish you all the best.

Derek. 

I opted for rads as my first line treatment but ended up needing a lobectomy anyway.  The surgery was done in April this year and I still can't do many of the things I could do previously due to ongoing pain.  I have no breathing issues, though.

Hi Derek,

Thank you for that, and glad to hear that you have recovered well. More than 8 years survived and still going - well done you and grounds for optimism for me.

I stepped up my training at first because I knew it would strengthen my immune system and help the immunotherapy. Also, it was always at the back of my mind that if I did ever need surgery then I would be in the best condition to survive it. Looks like that's where I am now.

kind regards,
Steve

Hi Lolie,

Sorry to hear you are still in pain after 8 months, I hope things improve for you.

From what I have read I am braced for a year of what the doctors call "discomfort" and what I would call "agony" (yes, I'm a wimp!) Realistically I'm expecting something in between.

kind regards
Steve

Hi Steve, I had a lobectomy 18 months ago and though it was supposed to be VATs I ended up with open surgery. I am not a fitness person alas but I live my walking. Since surgery I am back to same fitness as before, infact I can still outwalk my family members . I didn't really do much exercise after surgery and I probably should have done physio but I don't have any discomfort, maybe a little tightness where the scar is but I'm sure if I decided to ever go to the gym I would not have any issues. If you are fit now I would say you shouldn't have any issues. Good luck 

Hi Deri,

That was really useful, thank you. It has helped put my mind more at rest.

I now know what's planned for me - uniport VATS with the possibility of converting to open surgery if there's too much scar tissue around the blood vessels after 5 years of immunotherapy. This will be in January. Thanks to the positive messages here I am actually looking forward to getting it all over and done with.

kind regards
Steve

Hi Steve

Like you I should be having a wedge resection in January, but at the age of 74 I do worry if I will be fit enough to recover   quickly. The thought of being in pain for months terrifies me (I'm also wimp). As I haven't had a biopsy I don't know what my options would be if I chose not to have the surgery. The 18mm nodule did not light up on my PET scan (SUV 2.6) so borderline. The respiratory csultant and surgeon are pretty certain it is a slow growing cancer. Mine is a ground glass nodule and apparently it is quite difficult to get a definitive biopsy result so I guess my option would be 'wait and see' approach which would be stressful and risky. A difficult decision to make, although my family are adamant I should have it

Good luck with your op which I'm sure will go fine x

Hi Pepper12,

At 70 I'm not all that far behind you. My surgeon says I will be "aware" (ha!) that I had an operation for about three months and should be able to return to the gym within a month for gentle exercising. That doesn't sound too bad, I should be right as rain by summer. The serious pain only happens when there is damage done to the nerves, but apparently this is rare with my surgeon. Fingers crossed things all go to plan.

Your consultant will have seen scans like yours more times than it's easy to count. What set my mind at rest was knowledge - fear of the unknown is the worst. It sounds like you're where I was. I checked out the options, read up on people's experiences, Googled the surgeon, and for nearly half an hour grilled the surgeon with questions I had prepared before I actually felt at ease with things. Right now is by far the best time to question your consultant and surgeon and sort out your worries. That way you'll feel better going forward, and afterwards you won't be left wondering if you had made the right choice.

kind regards,
Steve