Hi all new here I have had half my right lung removed in the last 5 weeks and I'm doing well its called squamous cell carcinoma I've seen oncologists and told that I have cancer cells in my lymph nodes I'm been offered vinorelbine and carbo

Hi JustJ

I personally haven’t been through it, I had lobectomy and segment right lung removed 

My sis in law has, three years since having right top lobe removed. She had an appointment with the oncologist 

They offered her the same treatment her late husband had sorry I don’t know which but she said that on balance with her recovery still improving and her seeing first hand what the chemo did to her hubby, she had a 1% chance of success she declined 

She had breast cancer three years later successfully removed. 

They also said if she had the chemo it would speed up her osteoporosis! 

She broke a bone in her foot on a twig a few weeks ago and is fine now but I wonder if she’d had chemo how brittle her bones would be 

Its a tough one. I’d like to think I’d throw everything at it however pros and cons are important to way up 

I wish you well with you decision hopefully lots will be along to say their feelings 

Best wishes

Hello Just j,

I had my right lung removed following diagnosis of non small cell adenocarcinoma, stage 2A, and was also offered chemo with an estimated 5% increase in possible survival rate - therefore one in twenty. I was 57 years old at the time.

It's a tough decision in many cases. Personally, I thought that if I declined and the cancer returned I did not want to be in a position of regretting not having taken the chance and decided to take everything on offer to improve my chances. I also considered that, if the treatment was so bad, I could give up part way through - it isn't compulsory and no-one can force you to complete the course. As it happened, it wasn't pleasant but was doable and I finished the complete course.

I'll never know of course whether the chemo prevented the cancer returning so far (and whether I am the lucky one in twenty) and never will whatever happens, but I just passed the 9th anniversary and remain grateful that, for whatever reason, I'm still here alive and kicking.

It's not easy but I hope you are able to come to a decision that is good for you. Whatever, it is your decision and I wish you the best for the future.

I had vinorelbine and cisplatin by the way - any questions about treatment feel free to ask and I'll answer to the best of my ability / recollection.

Derek.