Mamma Mia, here I go again!

Hi NannyShell5

Goodness you have a lot to process 

The heart operation sounds remarkable however it must be a lot to recover from 

I had bowel cancer and within a year lung cancer they weren’t related. Like you they picked up my lung cancer through monitoring my bowel  

The lung operation was very straightforward and less to recover from 

keep chatting if it helps 

I’m sending you a virtual hug 

Hi Ann

Thank you so much. 

Sounds like you’ve had quite the time of it too!! It’s very reassuring to hear that the lung surgery is a little easier to recover from.

I very much hope that you’re keeping well 

Michelle x

Thanks 

I’m doing well had my scan yesterday for lung and bowel. At least they share the monitoring. 
Keep us updated with your appointments 

Best wishes 

I can relate.  I was diagnosed with lymphoma in December of 2019.  In January of 2020, a mass on my left lung was detected (but for the lymphoma, I wouldn't have known this existed).

In August 2020 I had a post chemo PET scan which confirmed that the lymphoma was gone but the lung mass was still there.  Following a biopsy, I started treatment for lung cancer in October 2020, so there'd only been a breather of a few months between finishing treatment for one cancer and starting treatment for another.

I felt exhausted and I felt guilty. Recently a new nodule showed up and there was a question about whether or not it was a recurrence.  It turned out not to be, but for the whole three months I was in limbo I dreaded the possibility of going through treatment again and felt very guilty about the possibility of my children having to put their lives on hold again.

What you're feeling is entirely normal.

Hi Lolie 

Thanks for the reply.  That’s exactly it - guilt. My loved ones were so delighted to see me recovering from the heart thing and now this. Delighted to hear that your recent nodule turned out to be insignificant. I can only begin to imagine the relief that you felt!!

After a horrible few months in limbo, there was relief all around.  Even though it turned out OK, I still feel bad that my kids had to go through that worry.  Routine surveillance scans will always bring anxiety for them as well as me.

When you know your treatment plan, let us know.  Many of us have walked the path before you and can give you our honest recollections.

As it stands I’m heading for surgery provided my heart can handle it - back to the ward that I spent 3 weeks in during the spring!! 

Hello and sorry to hear this has happened to you. I was diagnosed with stage 11 NSCLC.  Has radiotherapy been discussed with you for the nodule? It may not be suitable because of your heart surgery but I opted for radiotherapy rather than surgery. Just a thought… Whatever you decide I wish you a good recovery and please let us know how you get on. 

Your diagnosis of TN1 NSCLC is good as it has been caught early.  I had a pulmonary nodule diagnosed through CT scan on the 30th August. A week later I saw the Consultant Respiratory Specialist who suggested, as the nodule is small (25mm) I probably will not need surgery just radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.  Unfortunately the CT scan picked up an enlarged lymph node in the hilar region so I am waiting for a PET scan, then a needle biopsy to determine what type of cancer it is.  The Consultant doesn't seem overly concerned about the enlarged lymph node as the pulmonary nodule does not meet the size criteria to have spread.  I had breast cancer 32 year's ago and unfortunately the long intensive radiotherapy treatment I needed after surgery caused fibrotic changes in my lungs which could explain the lymph node enlargement as lymph nodes in the chest could represent a number of things.

Anyway, I am hoping I do not need surgery and because your nodule is small, you may not need it either.

How was your lung needle biopsy? To be honest I am dreading it and feel a bit sick with the worry of it.  I had a needle biopsy without anaesthetic for my breast tumour and I was told to just "grip the nurses hand".  I have been told by the Consultant that the nodule is in a good position for the biopsy, where he will go in through the front of my chest guided by a CT scan. 

Oh dear. That’s bound to cause anxiety. It’s better if you’re in a different place. I had three different wards though same hospital 

My hubby has a heart condition and when he had a replacement knee they didn’t give him a GA he had an epidural with sedation. That way he was away with the fairies but his heart was not under stress. I wonder if they will do something like that with you 

He didn’t want it as the operation is barbaric and he wanted no recall. However he was fine afterward 

Good luck with it all