first oncologist Appt 5 months after lobectomy

[janeths466]

Hi all,

Hope you are all well. My mom had to have her oncologist appointment rescheduled after 5 MONTHS post op. The oncologist refused to see her because of medical insurance. And now I am afraid we are too late since 5 months have passed since surgery.

Background: My mom (43 and dyalisis patient) was in ICU after coughing loads of blood, tumor was found, removed in emergency surgery, after a month released from hospital and at post op told there was no spread to lymph nodes and they were all negative but there was a higher risk of mets because of the malignant cells found.

Despite all of that she is doing amazing right now. Just some dry cough attacks. And ocassional shooting pains in the draining tube insicion. But she is super active and so much better than when she got out. Just like my mom before all of this happened. I am happy and sooo grateful to God that she is good now. This oncologist appt has me anxious though.

What can I expect? Also can cancer travel alot in 5 months? We never knew if surgery removed it completely. It has been hard.I know i'm just overthinking but I am 21 and my siblings are small. We need our mom so much and i dont know what the oncologist will tell me. I am not ready😪 I am optimistic but sometimes I think "what if"

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

The ‘what ifs’ are a very normal reaction to this waiting period. There is never anyway to know if the cancer has spread post surgery or not until it reoccurs or never reoccurs. I know that’s not much help and I’m sorry.

This I do know- doctors do not want to be sued. If there was evidence that they saw a possibility of metastasis they would have bent over backwards getting her covered under Medicare so they could begin billing for treatment. I’m going to take it as a possible sign that they were not concerned about mets. This doesn’t mean that they couldn’t be wrong just that they didn’t feel the need to protect their behinds.

I hope this helps you find some comfort.

[Iamready]

It is very positive to hear that she feels well 5 months postop! I’m sure it is great to have your old Mom around. She is also very lucky to have you. Try not to worry too far into the future and take each day as it comes...I know this sounds so cliche but it has been helpfulfor Me. You race care now. We are praying for you and your family.

[Feelingblessed2013]

As Denzie and Iamready have already said, the "what ifs" are normal, but try not to worry too much. I know it isn't easy, but we can start to worry so much about what might happen in the future, that we miss what is happening now, we miss out on life.

There is no way to know what will or will not happen in the future, cancer could rear its ugly head in a year, 10 years, or never again. Try to remember that since she has had a cancer diagnosis, the chances of it returning and not being found in its early stages are greatly reduced because she will be in "watch status" for a very long time. Too many of us aren't diagnosed for the first time until it has spread. The way I see it, the odds are now in her favor.

[JanetteR57]

thanks for posting - good to appreciate it isn't only the patients who are anxious at such times but their loved ones too. I had half my left lung removed in Dec 2010 and diagnosed in Jan 2011 - mine hadn't spread and have not had chemo/radiotherapy since. Like your mum, I was up and about, returned to work a few months after surgery and swimming and travel. If the tumour wasn't malignant, it would have been described 'benign' and if there was any chance of metastases (if spread to lymph or other organs), a follow on regime of treatment such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy would have been established at the time. Many lung cancer patients like me do not have any follow on treatments. I've met survivors of more than 20 years. I know it sounds very scary and for many (especially where the tumour is inoperable when found) the treatments can be very different but it sounds as if your mum has had the standard treatment for her condition. As others have said, doctors do not want to be sued so it's likely she'll continue to do well. Most resected (surgically removed) patients have a check up a few months after surgery, then another a few months later and if relatively well, will move onto an annual check up which is what I did so waiting for results/scans when it moves into once a year is something many of us have to be philosophical about and just get on with life. Putting our lives on hold waiting for the 'what ifs' rather than finding out if there is any 'what is' when it is, is a better approach for me. good luck.