Lung cancer surgery 3 weeks ago now need chemo

Shas, I agree you just do not expect to get cancer and it is a shock. I have been feeling a little angry and so this week I have booked myself in for some Psychology appointments, still on line here. They are covered on my health plan, for 5 sessions,so might as well. I know it is normal enough to feel this, but I am a naturally positve person, so it's not me really and I would to like to move forward from this point.

I definately post surgery took it easy and did not use google allot etc, as u can only cope with so much information.

Ask if you have been Genetically screened for adjuvant therapy, as they are offering oral pills after Chemo, daily, for 3 years, that are extra, extra insurance, but they are only required if you are in a particular subset that requires it and at risk.

Spoke to GP yesterday and he told me how lucky I was that I was Stage 2 A and shoud be very positive about my outcomes, so I will!

If and when you start Chemo, I would ask that the Cycles of treatment, the oral medication names and the way you take them and when is written down clearly in a Diary book and you can tick your progress as u progress. The Chemo for me is 12 weeks, with 4 cycles of 3 weeks each. I attend every week for  IV meds but at home for the first week of the cycle, I take nausea pills, as 1 med, Cisplatin makes u feel sick. I have not vomited once, so the pills work.

As u say, recover from surgery, get stronger and be good to yourself. Maybe don't think about the 5 percent quoted, so much, with the modern treatments today, people can live much longer lives, we are all exptions to any rule and I am determined to do the Chemo and move forward.

Have started afew patio containers and hope my seeds germinate!!. Talk soonx Rose

RoseW, good for you with a positive attitude. I think the psychology sessions will be good for you. I have one booked for Friday. They have told me it would be 4 rounds of 3 weeks, like you. Drugs are Vinorelbine and Cisplatin. You have long treatment one weeks, then shorter one next week and then nothing the 3rd and then start again. 

I am just going to tell them I need more time after being in hospital and still on antibiotics for kidney and blood infection. This is a journey I never wanted to be on, but can't change that so have to learn to deal with it somehow.

I need some of your positivity I think!

Chat soon x

Hi Rose,

How are your psychology sessions going. I saw a psychologist last Friday and she was strange. Every second word that came out of her mouth was Fu you know what I mean. She then went on to tell me about her friend that was 42 that died from lung cancer last year.  I left feeling worse than when I went in. I don't have another appointment with her as yet and don't know what to think.

My oncologist has said she will see me again in 2 weeks and to have blood test 2 days before i see her. She said if my bloods are not looking right then the chemo won't happen anyway. If bloods are ok then I have to decide. I have finished oral antibiotics now and will see how I go. What a strange year this has been. Well talk soon x

Shas

Shas, that is just dreadful!!!! I had my session and felt better. I have a friend who is a Psychologist and when talking to him recently, felt better, hence I thought that I should take it forward. I have spoken to a counselling group connected to my employer and had an unhelpful session also. No bad language was used but she was dismissive and uncaring.

Definately I would complain about that session as you would not anyone else to have to listen to that. I would suggest go to another venue or business and explain yr situation. I found my session very helpful, unburdened myself with afew issues that have burdened me over the years, had a good cry and ending the session in smiles. So talking again next week.

I agree, what a strange year!! I have said that afew times myself. It had been rather sureal, shocking etc.

I have felt better after sharing my news with others and also less anger, as well..It is a little like a bereavment, my counsellor explained. You are mourning the loss of something you had and have lost and did not expect to loose...

By talking about frustrations that I have felt, particulary related to stresses in my marital relationship I have felt lighter in my myself. They do say, ' a problem shared is a problem halved' and I do find that. Use anyone around you for that. I have even spoken to people in grocery stores, about certain products being any good and then continued chatting. 

I also think that for me not being at  work has had a huge affect on me and I have missed their company etc and getting away from home. Also knowing that I probably will not be returning to that job.  But I am determined once chemo is over and I am starting to recover, I am volunteering in a large garden I know in N.Ireland.  I think making plans for the future is helpful. I have always liked a plan and it helps me navigate my everyday goals.

Talking to you Shas has helped me too, so thanks for listening.!!! We can get through this and there is light in view!! Talk soon!!!! Rose

Rose I'm glad you felt better after your session with psychologist. I have just received a message for another appointment with that same psychologist. I am in an awkward position. I gave my referrel from Dr to her and if I change psychologists it would be very awkward. I might see her once more and see if it gets any better. 

I agree with it being like a bereavment. My husband has not been really helpful through this entire journey. He has taken me to appointments and does try in his way I suppose, but doesn't seem to have much empathy. He says " it's not me so I don't have an opinion." Occasionally he will give me a hug but that's it.

I am having lunch with a friend today so that might be helpful to throw a few ideas around with her. I just feel like I am damned if I do and damned if I don't with the whole chemo thing. I had a melt down last night and had to take pill to sleep. The thought of the chemo scares me and the thought of not doing chemo scares me too. I don't make decisions easily, never have. Well if my bloods are not right they won't do it anyway!

I was volunteering before this happened and do miss the company somewhat, I was also dancing once a week and have stopped that also. I have kept in touch with dancing ladies and they are all supportive, but it is a bit awkward to talk to them about my situation. They are planning a lunch next week for whoever can make it and I am a bit nervous about it as I have only been talking with one of them and she has been relaying my progress. 

Oh well, i enjoy listening to your journey and talk again soon! Sharron x

Hi excavator, I have been offered the same drugs as you had and 4 cycles. Did you lose all your hair?

I have been trying to do the pro's and cons thing but it doesn't seem to be helping. I am scared to do the chemo and scared not to! Any other thought you might have would be appreciated.

Hello Sharron,

Its good to get out of the house and meet friends. I think any chance to be out and about is befeficial. As I am far from any family and friends currently, I have really missed their personal touch and input, hence my need for chats with Psychology etc, so for me it is a short term fix.

The chemo is not easy, but I know I want to to do it, so that I can give myself the best chance of survival really. I have a good friend who I went to school with in Ireland and she has not been as lucky. She is Stage 4 with advanced cancer in liver and pancreas and has not long to live and is currently receiving palliative care. We both received the news about our cancer around the same time.

Accept all the hugs and help from your friends if offered. They care about you,as they want to see you.

Partners sometimes struggle with bad news, like cancer and it is a shock for them also. I am trying to get mine to be out and about abit more and I think it is helping him and me. He went to the new Tom Hanks movie and enjoyed it.

Hope my ramblings help.

Rosex

Hello Shas, I didn't lose my hair but it did go thin and stopped growing until the chemo was finished - see my earlier reply. On advice of the chemo unit I used baby shampoo and after washing it was careful to dry and comb it very carefully.

Hi Rose,

Glad you got out of the house and went to the movies. I am thinking of going with my sister to see the Elvis movie. It comes out here next month I think.

I saw psychologist again and she was a bit better this time, didn't swear as much, but she still went on about her friend that died last year of lung cancer. Sometimes I think I am counselling her instead of other way round. I will probably see her again as it is awkward to change now, but it still costs me quite a bit even with a plan so once I use up these sessions I don't think I will continue with her. 

How far are you into your chemo sessions now? have you lost your hair yet? I know I go on about hair quite a bit but I have always had long hair and colour it. It is only hair I know but still worries me.

I have until next Friday to decide on the chemo. I change my mind all the time. One minute I'm yes I will do chemo and then I am no I won't, 5% is not enough benefit. Such a hard decision to make. I feel like it would be just as good tossing a coin. I know I will be angry if I go through it and cancer comes back anyway. I will be angry if I don't do it and cancer comes back. Shit decisions, excuse the language, I must be catching it off my psychologist....ha ha.

Bye for now, keep in touch, I enjoy reading your ramblings....ha ha.

Shas x

Shas,

No worries. I have used that word as well afew times. Programme on an Irish station called RTE has a young woman in her 30s with cancer and her programme is called, ' Cancer is sh!!!' , I agree!!

My hair is unchanged, still thick and wiry and I have asked health professionals afew times and our chemo should not affect it. It might as Excavator says, thin abit.

Chemo is not easy, u just have to make your mind up to go with it and I try not to dwell on it too much. 12 weeks for me and I am already at week  7, the 3rd cycle and now 1  more cycle  to go and I am done. Nurses administering medications are very nice and any worries, you can phone and ask for help or advice and of course MCMillan are happy to talk on the phone via Skype and I have found them super!!!

There should be free counselling available I am sure, with local cancer agencies, maybe do a little research?

Husband heading to watch Top Gun movie for the second time, I am not going but glad he is, as he comes back much more relaxed.

Rosex