Surgery & Radiotherapy vs Chemo dilemna

Hello Beach,

I'm very sorry to hear of your latest problems and treatment dilemma.

I had surgery for lung cancer in 2014 involving open surgery and complete removal of my right lung. I was 58 years old at the time. 6 weeks later I had chemotherapy as a precaution (it was said to potentially add 5 percentage points to long term survival and looks like it might have done the trick). 

I was reasonably fit (not super fit) at the time and recovered quite well by following advice on exercises to assist the healing process. 

Long term effects are limited to shortness of breath. The right lung has 3 lobes and the left 2, so I am down to two fifths of normal lung capacity. This is improved by expansion of lobes in the left lung (I've seen x-rays) which now have more capacity to compensate, so I only get out of breath with more sttrenuous activity and it's easily manageable. Losing one lobe shouldn't affect your breathing much, if at all, as you'll retain 4 fifths capacity.

I'm not sure whether your lung tumours are lung cancer or recurrence of the cervical cancer in the lungs but suspect it's the latter - especially as you've also posted in the secondary lung cancer forum?

Surgery for lung tumours is considered to be the most effective way to a cure, and based on my own experience I would opt for this route, followed by SABR on the smaller two. If chemo is then recommended (which, from what you say is not definite) you can then make a decision on whether you wish to have this at the time. 

It's a difficult decision. My own approach to my two separate cancers has always been to hit them as hard as possible so I've gone for the most aggressive tretments, but we are all different and there's no single right way to do it. I understand your reluctance for surgery and hope you can come to the right decision for yourself that you are comfortable with.

If you have any other questions just ask and I'll do my best to answer. 

I wish you all the very best whatever your decision.

Derek.

PS. I'll cut and paste this reply in the secondary lung cancer forum for the potential benefit of members there.

Hi Beach

I really just wanted to say Hello as your post resignated with me so much. I am in a similar situation in that I had cervical cancer 5 years ago and 5 lung nodules have been found. One large one in the lower left lobe and 4 small in the right lung. Unfortunately the largest one is not suitable for a biopsy so I'm still not sure it is mestatic cancer although the MDT are more convinced it is rather than down to my rheumatoid arthritis. I still have some hope though that it will prove to be something other the cancer.

I really sympathise with your side effects from cervical cancer treatment as I also am experiencing similar which makes everything so much harder to deal with. I also received a diagnosis of colitis months after finishing treatment which has probably been the most debilitating illness of all day to day. My bathroom is my 2nd home! What with the bladder issues and recently developing osteoporosis and several pelvic fractures i also need a new body

But im facing surgery now to remove the biggest nodule and find out if it is definitely cancer. Robotic surgery has been mentioned but I'm waiting to see the thoracic surgeon for an exact plan. If it is cancer I would hope enough can be taken for clear margins and my 2nd choice would be SABR targeted radiotherapy to obliterate the other smaller nodules on the right lung. I would pray this would be enough as I would rather save the chemo but maybe that would have to happen too. One step at a time i can't face thinking about too much. I'm also 54 married with a grown up son.

You've been through so much already and I know exactly how you feel in that you don't want to collect more long term side effects as quality of life deteriorates. It's a horrible situation to be in. I've been reading other people's experiences of lung resections and I think if you have good lung function then hopefully breathing is not too affected long term. It seems open surgery is more difficult to recover from and takes longer but surgically removing the nodules is a good cure. 

I wish you all the best in deciding what route is right for you as ultimately it's you that has to go through it. I hope some other people will respond with their stories and this helps  

I would like to stay in touch. Love Rabbit 

Thanks so much excavator for your full reply and reassurance.  Massively helpful.  I wish you all the best for many more years to come. ️

Hi Rabbit - Thanks so much for sharing your story and being so open about what's going on with you. I really feel for you with what I assume are long term side effects of all the radiotherapy you must have had previously. I would be very happy to stay in touch to support one another along the next stage of our journeys. When is your surgery scheduled? 

The more I read and hear from others in this community, the more I think I'd be foolish to not go ahead with the surgery.  I think my post lung biopsy experience just terrified me (& my husband and eldest son who saw all the drama!) As my husband says at least for the operation I will be totally out of it so won't be aware of all the action.

I wish you all the best for your surgery and ongoing treatments. I'm not sure how helpful this is but right now I'm focusing on 1 day at a time, treating myself when I can afford it, listening to music with positive vibes and getting joy from seeing/messaging/video calls with close family and friends.

I send you lots of strength for a good post op recovery. Be kind to yourself always ️

Take care

Beach

Hi Beach

I am also treating myself to a few things and trying to be kind to myself. One thing this journey teaches you is to appreciate the small things like having a little walk and a nice coffee and cake or just watching a good movie. Helps to put the situation to the back of my brain again!

I don't have a date for Surgery yet as it was only decided last week the nodules are not suitable for biopsy. Mind you after what you went through, i assume with a CT guided biopsy, maybe I should be grateful. I can't imagine how traumatising that must have been for you and no wonder you are questioning your options. I suppose with Surgery you accept that there will be a hospital stay and you have time to get all your questions answered in advance.

Please let me know how you are doing and I will let you know when I see the surgeon. I don't know about you but it sometimes shocks me after all these years of being Ned that cervical cancer can reappear in our lungs.

Take care. I will be thinking of you and sending positive vibes

Rabbit x

Hi again Rabbit

Yeah my cancer returned 12 years later which apparently is unusual. It certainly does take you by surprise when it returns. I'm glad to hear you've been treating yourself to things as a pick me up - that's really important.  

My current focus is to "take control of the cancer, rather than it controlling me", inspired by the approach of a friend of mine who's now in remission 6yrs on from stage 4 cancer. I've moved to a plant based diet now, try to get out on short walks most days and have had a consultation with a reputable herbalist who's put me on some supplements, tinctures and teas to get my body in better shape ahead of treatment, boost my immune system etc. I basically try to remove as much sugar and salt from my diet as possible as cancer feeds off sugar apparently. I've also been avoiding processed food, alcohol, eat more pulses, oats, nuts, oily fish etc and basically focus on natural ingredients. I feel soooo much better for it and have unintentionally lost a bit of weight too! Don't get me wrong though, I still enjoy a good pint in a pub and am enjoying dark chocolate as my wee weekend treat!

Have you read the book "How to Starve Cancer" by Jane Maccleland? It's very inspiring. Also there's loads of easy cook books on Amazon focused on recipes for cancer, reducing inflammation, etc which have helped me shape my new diet. Plenty of healthy snack ideas in these too . I can recommend a few if you're interested.

Anyway, take care, keep focusing on small wins & positives and seek out humour each day to make you smile ️. All that has certainly helped me.

Sending good vibes your way!

Beach

Hi

Whilst there is nothing wrong in having a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables and avoiding smoking, it has been proven by scientists and the medical professionals that it is a myth that you can starve cancer.  All cells in the body rely on glucose, including cancer cells, but if you completely cut out sugar the cells in the body, healthy and otherwise, begin to take glucose from the protein and fats in our body, this can prove unhealthy as this can lead to malnutrition because the body needs glucose to survive.

I am 77 and have always been healthy, I was raised on a diet of fruit and vegetables with every meal and my diet has stayed the same throughout my life.  I have always exercised and kept fit, but all that did not stop me getting cancer twice in my life (breast and lung).  I had breast cancer in 1991 and lung cancer in 2023.

Cancer is 90-95% caused by variant mutant genes. When cells divide a mistake in our DNA can cause cells to mutate, this can happen at any time in our lives. Sometimes our DNA gets damaged and cause cells to mutate from environmental changes, such as ultraviolet light and air pollution. A small percentage of mutant cells is hereditary 10-5%.

When I was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2023, it was found on genetic testing that I have the mutant gene KRAS, this makes me at a higher risk of lung, which I have already been through, pancreatic and bowel cancer. 

I have been told by a few people, who I might add, have never had cancer, about various things I can do to "kill" cancer cells, some are dangerous suggestions such as; don't have treatment, eat this, eat that, it will make you better, I have even been told it's the Covid vaccine. Suffice to say I take no notice and put my faith in the marvellous medical professionals and the treatments that are available to me. 

Best wishes to you all who have been or are going through cancer, I wish you all well.

Ann