Hi, I'm new to this! 😊

[marybeth422]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this. I'm looking to talk with others who understand what having lung cancer means & all of the emotions that go along with it! I had the top lobe of my left lung removed on June 16th this year due to adenocarcinoma. After 3 1/2 months my ribs are still sore & I cry so easily now. I'd just like to know if anyone else experienced this. Thanks so much! 😊

[stutheit]

I also had surgery open chest surgery June 16th adenocarcinoma on my right upper lobe and yes my ribs are still sore and my skin underneath is like numb feeling I was told that last for about six months I don't cry often but my feelings get hurt very easily hang in there things will get better best of luck

[marybeth422 in reply to stutheit]

Thanks for responding, it means a lot!

[Serrecko Volunteer]

Hi MaryBeth422,

Being emotional is being human. I have found I cry over very small things a lot more often then ever before. But I think all cancer patients tend to view things a bit differently anyway and I would suggest it is your brain just "breathing" a sigh of relief at some level. It does so by shedding a few tears.

Don't try to hide your emotions. You are a survivor of cancer, and those tears are your medals and ribbons to wear. With each passing day you will become less emotional, the pain in your ribs will slacken, and each day you wake it will probably bring another tear or two.

I can not say I am going through exactly what you are going through, but all cancers are different. I am fighting HPV Lung Cancer which is inoperable and terminal. BUT, I still feel like the luckiest guy on the planet.

This is my 3rd cancer, and another cancer was just found a week or two ago, but the fight is still the same. I survived kidney cancer, then HPV throat cancer and now, I am fighting terminal HPV Lung Cancer. Bone cancer was just found a few weeks ago, however what type of cancer it is, no longer matters to me. A fight is a fight.

Cancer is a fight. All cancers are a fight. Keep swinging for the fences, keep your chin up, and keep reaching out for help, to talk, to be heard, to listen. Places like this, and people that have been through cancer are truly a breed apart.

God Bless you, and keep up the fight and reach out when you need to!

Michael "Serrecko" March

[marybeth422 in reply to Serrecko]

Thanks Michael, your words have touched me deeply!

[sesqui in reply to Serrecko]

Michael you inspired me to fight, as much as can, and then maybe some more. I had my right lobe surgically removed due to a lung cancer tumor in stage 1B on Sept 15th. I have another smaller tumor in my left lung - surgery will occur nov /dec 2016. I am scared and afraid of info. My surgeon told me radiation and chemo would not be necessary. I am taking my new life as cancer patient one day at a time.

Thank you, Michael

[mariel143 in reply to sesqui]

dont worry try to relax i had lung cancer adenocarcinoma r 2 lobes 1 whole lobe taken out and part of another lobe on right side the pain u are feeling in ur ribs may be nerve damage from the surgery discuss it with ur dr u can only take 1 day at a time thats what i do and be grateful to the Lord for every day

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

If they are talking surgery they are going for a cure. Surgery is not offered to late stage lung cancers. So I'm sending hope and a prayer that your surgery fulfills its intent.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

You need to talk to your doctor about pain management. Its hard to get healthy when you are in pain and its rough to get back into a routine if you have no movement or exercise.

They may need to look at different types of medication or giving you more than one type. When I had lung surgery they cut into a nerve that runs parallel to the rib. For the pain associated with that I took gabapentin. Others do better with Lyrica. For the pain associated with the bones they gave me Norco. For compression fractures in my spine I use a fentanyl patch. Sometimes Tylenol is enough to manage my bone pain. While my skin healed from radiation I used a lidocaine patch. My point being that there are different types of pain meds that act in different ways. Your dr needs to work with you to find the combo that works best for you.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Also getting the rid of the pain makes it easier to develop a positive attitude. You've had the scariest diagnosis anyone can have and your feelings are completely normal. Please know though that this is survivable Your surgery may have cured you 100% and that is my prayer for you.

[marybeth422 in reply to Denzie]

Thanks Dennie, I feel very blessed !

[Steph60]

I am so sorry to hear that you are still in pain after your surgery. It sounds like I was luck since I did not have any of the pain that you speak of when I had my upper right lobe removed in November 2013. You should definitely follow Denzie's advice and speak to your doctor and see if you can get something for the pain. After my surgery I would cry more often and have pity parties for myself, then I would pull myself out of it and then try and be positive. Sending you healing and positive thoughts.

Stephanie

[marybeth422 in reply to Steph60]

Thanks Stephanie!

[Lalukie]

I agree w Denzil and all the above. It's okay to cry and scream but try to find the blessings. Your attitude is very important. I don't have any pain because surgery would not help me as I am stage IV. So have ur pity party then pull urself together and realize that there are others who wish they were as lucky as u. May God bless you on OUR journey.

[marybeth422 in reply to Lalukie]

I didn't mean to make it sound like pity parties, that's not it. I just cry over stupid things, things that never would of made me cry before. I am very blessed & I know it! You'll be in my prayers!

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to marybeth422]

You have every right to own those feelings. Your stage really doesn't matter. You can't try to tell yourself "Oh, I'm only a stage 1 or 2, I don't have a right to feel this way. You've been handed a diagnosis of the scariest cancer there is. Its not stupid to cry over things. Your life and how you perceive these things is forever changed. It is normal to mourn those things as a symbol of your life before cancer. I would worry more if you never felt pangs of regret or sorrow for how things have changed. Its only a problem if you dwell on that loss and from what you've written I suspect that you have a healthy attitude.

But as Lalukie said, try to look for a blessing in your day. There will be days when the only thing you can think of is that you're positive cancer sucks. And that's okay too.

[Hidden]

@marybeth422 Hi i'm Joi had the same thing same side. I also had breast cancer 2years before my lung cancer. everything is on my left side my breast cancer was'nt bad they removed my breast. Sorry I got off on the wrong thing. Yes I have the same thing happen to me. I still have problems the pain can be bad. The pain dr says it hasn't healed right and I have some damaged nerves. Thishas been going on for three years ever since the surgery i'm on pain meds and gabepenten it helps some. The crying I still do it. I want you to look up pain after lobectomy and talk to your dr. don't give up stay strong were all here for you. your guardian angel is there beside you she will always be there no matter what happens she knows what your going thur and she'll help. welcome Jo

[marybeth422 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Jo, you are so very kind! I will definitely talk to my dr. About the pain. Thanks again!

[mariel143 in reply to marybeth422]

hi joe i was in terrible pain gabapentin and the lodacaine patch help very much as far as the crying goes i think every cancer pt cries cancer is a very scary disease u can also ask ur dr for depression medication maybe that will help the best thing is to discuss ur problems with ur dr and make the dicision with him as what will help u good luck

[GailO]

If you're not happy, you should definitely get a second opinion. I believe all on cancer survivors need a second opinion.

[Ruthie1437]

I also have the same type of cancer but it is unoperable. Yes I have the emotional response of crying often we all deal in our own ways and do whatever works for you

[marybeth422 in reply to Ruthie1437]

Thanks Ruthie for your support, you along with all cancer warriors are in my prayers.

[FtB_Peggy]

Once again, this community has offered great advice. A second opinion is a really good idea, and advocating for yourself about the pain - well, you just have to do that, right?! Crying, you have to do that too. Was told once that tears are the purist form of prayer, all I know is that it happens, and don't be hard on yourself about that - it is, as Mike said, human. I think tears help to reset our brains...a great release. And remember to love yourself, to embrace the moment, to find joy in being wonderful you.

[marybeth422 in reply to FtB_Peggy]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Everyone is so kind & understanding! ❤️

[Laura4]

I have the same type of cancer also and mine is also inoperable. I thank god for every day I get and I do whatever treatment I can to survive as long as I can. I also am very emotional these days but I think it's better to have a good cry or talk to people about how you feel then to not be emotional and not connect to others . Sending you prayers and positive thoughts for your journey through this.

[marybeth422 in reply to Laura4]

Laura, thank you! ❤️

[Judys2007]

Hi Everyone

[marybeth422 in reply to Judys2007]

Hi Judy! 😊

[DoggyFoster]

Please get a second opinion before you let anyone cut on you. I had adeno also and was set up for immediate surgery. I wasn't comfortable with that treatment plan and went for a second opinion. Found out, due to my poor lung function I wasn't even a candidate for surgery. That surgery would have been devastating to my wellbeing and quality of life. Good luck....

[marybeth422]

You'll be remembered in my prayers for the best possible outcome!

[Danna]

Hi Marybeth, I just had a lung biopsy done. I don't know the results yet. I did a couple of years ago had Melanoma removed from my right arm/shoulder area. It is cutting through the muscle that takes time to heal. I couldn't even touch my arm. It hurt so bad. I have no feeling under my armpit. My brother had a petscan a couple of years ago and they told him that he had cancer and never did a biopsy. They removed part of his lung. Come to find out he never had cancer. He still complains about pain to me. Take it one day at a time. Try taking ace bandage and wrapping it around your ribs to try and support them. My last two suggestions would be. Take a hot shower to relax the muscles and go see your doctor. Wishing you the best...Danna I will keep you in my prayers

[marybeth422]

Thanks for the suggestions Danna! What an awful thing to happen to your brother but great that he doesn't have to worry about the cancer. Since I wrote this my pain & numbness has subsided greatly. I still have a day or two with sore ribs but nothing like it was. I will be praying that your biopsy is clean! Stay positive, Mary Beth

[lemeris]

Welcome. I also had adencarcinoma. I had lower left love removed. Yes your ribs will hurt for quit sometime. It is normal. The ribs take a long time to heal. I also had the numb feeling in left side of my chest of a long time. This is also normal. They cut through many nerves. Over time both will heal. Good luck to you.