My journey started in November 2012. I had surgery for diverticulitis, the surgeon had to remove about 6 inches of my large intestine because it was twisted. One of his inside stitches let go so 5 days later my temperature was over 103, I was septic. Emergency surgery, a few more days in the hospital and I went home with a temporary colostomy bag and an open abdominal wound.
Fast forward to May 2013; I was preparing for the reversal surgery, but the chest x-ray showed a spot on my left lung and damage from emphysema (October 2012 my x-ray was clear). That x-ray led to a CT scan, a thoracic surgeon and a PET scan. In June I had the reversal surgery done. In July (the 8th to be exact) I had the lung surgery. In less than 2 months time 1 tumor become 2 and after the biopsy came back positive, the thoracic surgeon removed the upper left lobe. He tested 5 lymph nodes, all came back clear. The next day I was told that I had a very aggressive, very fast moving form of cancer, but he got it all, I was in the 60 percentile (??????), he then walked out of the room. I had no idea what kind I had, what stage I was, nothing. About a month later I wound up with a bladder infection so severe it landed me in the hospital. I was told that my immune system was severely compromised because of the lung cancer. It was also suggested that I go to a cancer center for a second opinion and to learn about my cancer. I went to Roswell in Buffalo, NY and learned I had squamous cell lung cancer, stage 2, but I was indeed cancer free. I tried chemo just to try to kill any little cancer cells that may be lurking inside me, but I only completed half the treatments. Every time I got chemo, I wound up in the hospital with an infection.
In the past 2 years I have had shoulder surgery, and 2 abdominal hernias repaired, one large and one small (further proof that my first surgeon can't sew). The small one had to be repaired twice.
I also have a herniated disk in my neck that's putting pressure on some nerves. I've had it for years, but it seems to be becoming an issue that will have to be addressed. Just sitting here typing, my shoulder blade feels tingly, like it wants to go numb, I get pain in my wrists for no apparent reason, and my hands seem to be losing strength.
For the past two years I've had a problem with my right leg buckling when I am walking, it only does it every once in a while. I have fallen a few times so I walk with a cane. They can't find a reason for my right leg and now the left leg is acting up. I had disk fusion surgery in my lower back over 6 years ago, but per the MRI, nothing there to cause it.
I "retired" last year at the age of 59 because I was out of work more than at work, it wasn't fair to my employers or the people who counted on me to be there for them. The stress was also starting to take a toll on me.
Now hubby and I are both trying to survive on SSD ( his neck is fused front and back C2 to T1 ). BUT...we are both still here, still kicking. My emphysema is still mild and as far as I know I am still cancer free, last CT scan was January 2017, next one is January 2018.
I am getting a bit concerned lately however, my shortness of breath upon exertion seems to be getting worse. I am really hoping it is just the humidity lately. We will see what happens in the fall when the weather gets cooler.
I know I complain, and probably shouldn't. There are many others who have, or have had it worse. I had a messed up operation also....where they cut my bile duct during gallbladder surgery. I almost died. I still hurt from the clips that are in me...which I had no idea they left there until last year!! I wonder now if they would take those out of me. Some say it's common to leave them in after they cut something in you. Hmmm....right!
I am new here.
Sharp pain in chest
Life is for living (if possible) as we don't know how long we're here for.
Reversing COPD
