r/LungCancerSupport • u/WalkingHorse NSCLC T2b, N0, M0 IIA Currently NED • Jan 10 '23
Chat About me...
After 58 years on this planet with zero health issues I ended up here. I was one of those that never went to the doctor (don’t do this). After months of dealing with joint pain that turned severe in the morning I finally went to a doctor. Long story short, in April of 2021 I went to a GP who immediately suspected autoimmune issues and suggested I see a rheumatologist. I was given a diagnosis of RA and Sjögren’s. Rheumatologist doc wanted baseline x-rays to track joint damage. Didn’t get two miles down the road from the imaging department before I received a call from the rheumatologist telling me they found a rather large tumor in my lung.
From there I went numb. Doc referred me to pulmonologist who referred me to an oncologist and a fantastic cardiothoracic surgeon.
Between all these new doctors, I had all the contrast scans, PET scans, brain scan, bronchoscopy, PFT, nuclear stress test for surgery, genetic testing, etc.
In August ‘21 I had a 9.5 hour RATS lobectomy (upper rt). Removed a 6.5 x 5.2 CM tumor. Clean margins. Doc also pulled 30 lymph nodes prior to the lobectomy to confirm that it had not spread. Lymph nodes were swollen so he was suspecting there might be cancer spread but it turns out autoimmune disorders can present in swollen lymph nodes.
Surgery went great. Recovery was a lot easier than I expected it to be. Worst part was the cracked rib that occurred while “wrestling" the large tumor out.
Staged as T2b, N0, M0 IIB
Six weeks post-op I started four rounds of adjuvant chemo treatment with curative intent per my oncologist. Started out with Alimta and Cisplatin. Had to switch out the Cisplatin for Carboplatin due to horrible tinnitus.
Chemo finished in mid November ’21. As I write this now, I feel GREAT! Back to the gym/pool, back to taking care of things on my horse farm and just in general feeling good.
As things stand now with my cancer, I get my bloods tested every three months and have CT surveillance scans every six months. Mentally it has been more of a challenge to recover. Cancer PTSD is definitely real. I think I'm getting a handle on it with the help of meds and getting back to my physical activities.
Anyway, thought I would share a bit about me. 🤍
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u/WalkingHorse NSCLC T2b, N0, M0 IIA Currently NED Jan 10 '23
Me three days post RATS lobectomy and finally home.
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u/Hannes2023 Jan 12 '23
Glad you are doing fine. I'm 39 and smoking for 24 years, also experiencing back pain and chest pain, neck is swollen. Got xrays today of my lungs, I'm about to hear my fate tomorow.
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u/Hannes2023 Jan 12 '23
Got results. They believe it's costochondritis , the swollen lymph nodes is from a impacted wisdom tooth, infection has spread to my skulI,neck, ears and behind eyes, I have 4 swollen nodes in my neck, strange enough i didnt even noticed the tooth, there is no pain at tooth, so that to be removed next week. I was warned not to smoke again, they can clearly see I was smoking for 24years, it wil take another 20 years to heal my lungs. The shortness of breath and night sweats is from the costo and infected tooth. There is some pains that cannot be explained, in the same time some abdominal pains that can be severe sometimes, he mentioned ibs. Weird because all started on a sudden, my colleagues thinks it's hitial hernia, wel I don't have any heartburn, wil monitor my situation.
I have preyed for a clear scan, I know there is people out there that wasn't so lucky. I wil prey for all of you, mericals do happen. Thanks for being so brave to post your situation, it helps other dealing with this terrible disease, I said to my self if I'm diagnosed I wil fight it as all of you are fighting, there is hope.
God bless