Hello .

Hello Karen and a warm welcome to the online community, although I'm very sorry you have the need to join.

It is indeed a great shock to learn you have lung cancer when you think all is well, especially when you have no symptoms and no cause to suspect anything is wrong. However, in the longer term it is a stroke of good luck that the cancer is discovered, in your case via a completely unrelated procedure, because, if left to develop, it would eventually be discovered at a later stage when treatment is much more difficult and less likely to be a success.

The "good" news is that, at stage 1, you have an excellent chance to be completely cured following your lobectomy. 

My own cancer was discovered at a more advanced stage of T2AN1M0 when I had surgery to remove my right lung. Unfortunately when surrounding tissue was checked after surgery it was also found in one nearby lymph node so I had chemotherapy as a precaution. The good news is that this happened over 12 years ago and I have been lung cancer free ever since. 

Your ribs and surrounding area will ache for some time, and the best exercise at first is to walk, preferably on the flat, gradually building up distance. I think you'll be surprised just how quickly your recovery progresses.

It is very scary, especially when life is jogging along quite normally, and it takes a while to get used to the new you. However, you will get there.

I wish you all the best and if there's anything at all yu'd like to ask or talk about just let us know.

Derek.

Derek, thank you so much for your very welcome msg. It gave me good hope. I am very much missing the walking I used to enjoy so much in my life but I'm doing it around my house and in my garden for now. Early days.

It was great to hear your positive outcome and I wish you well.

Karen 

Thank you Karen,

I hope you continue to make progress, you'll get there in the end and should be nearer back to normal soon. Walking should come back to you in time by building up distance gradually.

Do keep us updated if you like, it's encouraging to others who are at an earlier stage in their journey.

Derek

Hi

I am definitely improving. Also now having a daily walk....just 5-7 minutes each way but it feels good to do ìt. I find I have to not overdo it as getting breathless can be uncomfortable. 

Yesterday I had a call from the hospital with the results of the lymph node tests. Unfortunately the node they took has signs of cancer which was a bit upsetting and I spent the afternoon processing that. I have an Oncology appointment next Wednesday to discuss and plan a 6 week course of chemotherapy. 

I'm getting my head around it and 'hopefully' by next week I'll be ready to take it on! Praying not to lose my hair

Best wishes

Karen

I'm sorry to hear that Karen. It's a blow you didn't need and more treatment that you certainly didn't want.

However, all is not lost. I had exactly the same and also had 6 weeks of chemo, Cisplatin and Vinorelbine although there might be other alternatives in use now.

I'm still lung cancer free after 12 years so it worked well.

I'm sure you'll still be just fine afterwards.

Derek.

Thank you for your reply. Your kind words help.

Hi Hayley here, my journey is similar. I had open heart surgery for an Aorotic root aneurysm in July 25 and they knew I had a small spot on my left lower lobe. By October it had grown and all worried so PET scan November and biopsy in December then met consultant and told either segementary or lobectomy in 3 weeks.

January this year had op, it’s not been easy and lots of hurdles but I was lucky no further treatment and not spread.

lots of tears, mood swings but above all the gratitude to all the support from here and stories that put everything into perspectives .One day at a time and keep doing the breathing exercises and please message if you need a chat

Thank you so much for your kind reply. Good to hear that you are well now , it's not an easy journey and it's so encouraging to hear your story.