Any advice from someone who has been there?

hello ,I had my surgery in July this year to remove a nodule in my lung ,the operation went well ,and i went home after 5 days with a chest drain ,but it was over two weeks before my surgeon phoned me with the results ,she did ask if i wanted a face to face meeting ,but i asked her to tell me then and there ,did they give you an allocated lung nurse ? just curious as i was given one that i could phone at any time .I know its stressful waiting for the results ,but they will not ignore you at all.though i do think different areas work in dfferent ways .I am certain someone will get back to you as soon as possible

Hello there,

I had an upper right lung lobectomy to remove a tumour on 22 May this year. I knew they were testing the lymph nodes for spread post operatively. I didn’t see the surgeon until the middle of July for the results. I’m afraid it’s all a waiting game at each stage. I had my 6 month check today with the scan 3 weeks ago. The waiting for results is always a very anxious time for me. I’m sure they will give you the results as soon as they can as they are very aware of the anxieties of patients. 

I found the MacMillan nurses and Roy Castle nurses very good to talk to when I was really stressed. I even phoned The Samaritans a couple of times so I could let off steam. 

I hope you hear something very soon

Love xx

Hi Christie, thanks for your reply. I do have an allocated lung nurse, but I chase her up all the time. I guess she is very busy. How are you doing now? xx

Thanks for your reply Daisychain..I hope you are well now. I think you are right, using the phone lines are the way to go. I don't even feel I can talk to my husband as his head has gone West as well! It's all so isolating. xx

i am ok i just stress about my next  scan in february ,but otherw ise i feel healthy

It is fairly isolating. That’s why this site and MacMillan are so good. It’s so good to be able to talk to people who understand. Family are lovely and I wouldn’t be without them but I think they can get in even more of a panic than us. At least my designated nurse was happy to talk to my family although they didn’t take her up on it.

Love. 

Hi Christie

Ive just had my first 6 month scan on 22nd November and the appointment on the 8th December. All was well.

I was fine until the scan as I managed to put it out of my head until November. The 3 week wait was rather challenging. I couldn’t settle to anything and spent my free time watching tv. Still, it’s over now and I wish you all the best for your scan in February.

Love xx

I'm glad you are feeling healthy, that is a great sign. I'm trying to hold onto the fact that I feel well and am recovering too.

Christie, did you finish your treatment with surgery? Or did you have follow on treatment afterwards?

I would imagine they have to keep an eye on you in terms of scans as a follow up as a minimum. One the one hand that's reassuring, but on the other also a worry. It's all a bit of a tricky mind game isn't it? Helen xx

Back to the waiting game, I see the pattern! I'm so glad you are well Daisychain, and Christie, wishing you all the best for Feb too.  Helen xx

Hi Newbie,

I was offered chemo post operatively because of the tumour size, even though there was no spread. Looking at the statistics I discovered that it helps 1 in 20. I consulted my family and thought about it but decided not to go ahead. It wasn’t an easy decision and if the stats had been better I might have gone for it. I did take into account the possible side effects as well. As my digestive system was rather awry I didn’t want anymore internal discomfort.

If you may benefit from follow-up treatment it will be offered to you.

In the NE cancer centre we have a scan and appointment every 6 months for 2 years (I think) and then an annual scan until 5 years are up. They always book the new appointment during the post-scan consultation. My next scan is on the 8th June 2023. The scan appointment will come much nearer the time in May.

I wish you all the best for your results, hopefully very soon.

Daisy