Cardiac mets

Hi , Well despite my earlier post I am still here , I still believe my outlook is grim I have a 32mm cardiac tumour of unknown origin benign or lung cancer, no one will biopsy it as apparently too dangerous no treatment orderd as it has apparently been there since 2015 , however now off the steroids my heart beat has settled so that is good .I am awaiting a repeat cardiac scan in November.Also repeat scans generally in August for steriotactic brain treatment check and body CT scan to see if anything else has popped up .I will be glowing in the dark , cannot wait to start swimming again and I am developing a gungho approach sort of what the hell just going to do what I want if I can , it might kill me but better than sitting around worrying about it all.Still incredibly tired at times but tend to sleep for an hour before any thing that requires energy .Swimming is my big thing I find it very relaxing all my muscles are to pot right now from steroids I try to walk 10000 steps 3x a week but then I am done , the only reason I haven't swam is due to the seizure I had but I take meds so I feel thats covered and no hint of seizure since treatment so I think I will take my chances and start yoga again which I love , my future is uncertain but I feel keeping the body and mind healthy hasvits benefits also trying to l8se steroid pounds is important to me .The only thing the oncologist will offer me now seems to be chemo I might decline that or look for help elsewhere in this changing landscape.Everything has a side effect I know but there must be a better way forward than chemo .None if us know where this lung cancer is going if it will come back , but in the meantime you have just got to keep moving on for yourself and those around you .So feeling a little more upbeat than my previous post even if the outlook is rubbish .cancer is rubbish but at least on hear I am not alone.

[Shan_E]

Hi Diane, you have a great attitude and that can only help you. One thing cancer or possible cancer teaches all of us is to make the most of every single day, because none of us knows how many days we're going to have. I hope your tumour turns out to be benign, but there's nothing you can do about that either way, so small steps and focussing on things you can do something about like the yoga and healthy eating to tackle those steroid pounds is the way to stay as happy and healthy as you can. I wish you the very best of luck. You are definitely not alone!

[jillygirl]

Hi Diane, you are an amazing lady. With that attitude you can beat any cancer or at least give it a run for its money. Stay strong and positive .

BIG fighting cancer vibes being sent to you with a big hug .>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[hedgehoggy]

Hi Diane55

Sorry to hear all this is going on for you. I'm glad you are off the steroids as i ballooned on mine as you know even doing the housework faster! You said you may have had it since 2015 have you had any symptoms or have you been ok? I think you said you had breathing probs. Maybe your heart will settle now to a normal rhythm without the steroids.

It must be a dilemma not knowing for sure what's what but if you are feeling not too bad go with the flow.

I too get tired but i just take a nap if need be. Just listen to your body.

I did 10 lengths in the pool today but I have a sort of pain/ache in my right side so I've got to see what's happening there. You worry about every little thing when you've got or had cancer as does everyone probably reading this. But I like your attitude and it's like you say you have to go with it or what you think is right. It's your body after all so you can decide. you can only be guided by the professional's.

Thinking of you

Best wishes

Hoggy

[Hidden]

Hi Hoggy , after lobectomy in 2015 I noted occasional irregular heart beat episodes but my surgeon had said this can happen intially after that type of surgery so I had ignored it and prior to chemo had had and echo whicb I was told had expected changes due to surgery so had not thought much about it until the irregular pulse palpitations I developed on high dose steroids and now off the steroids it has settled again .My Granmother and Mother also had a irregular heart beat and palpitations so I am now srarting to think this is nit cancer but benign and inherited tumour .My Gran was 84 yrs when she died unfortunately Mum was 64yrs but also had lung cancer and bowel cancer when she died , neither if them died with cardiac related problems.So in my mind that is not going to kill me just a problem to control with betablockers .Maybe it is a little head in the sand approach but better than other thoughts cardiology are saying they can' t even biopsy it , not sure thats because I have stage 4 cancer or it really is too dangerous as its in my heart muscle , maybe after the next scan I will ask again .Like you say you can only be guided by your consultant and hope it is the right advice .

I did actually walk 17, 590 steps yesterday a flat slow none challenging walk but very beautiful walk , this sort of thing feeds my soul and makes me feel better.

You are right Hoggy once you have had cancerit is hard to turn the cancer worry button off, how can anyone do that ,I wish I could .The trouble is in my case others have to live with me it makes life a little hard for them and probably very dull .Congratulations on your swim perhaps your ache is just muscle fatigue you never know especially if you have not done anything like that in a while .Take care Diane

[kitcath]

Hi Diane55,

You are one very courageous lady! I too am a lung cancer patient diagnosed in Sept last year. But as one believer of Christ Jesus, I trust death is only a doorway to an eternal life. The cancer is the way God draws my attention back to Him from my ambitious and busy life. Now I have quit my two jobs and am truly enjoying the peace with Him and my loved ones!

God said," My grace is sufficient for you."

You are in my prayers. All the best with your journey and take care! xoxo

[JanetteR57]

Good for you…. swimming is so good for you and as you say, important to try and lose the steroid pounds… having lost half my lung due to a 7cm tumour (NSCLC) some years ago, I've gone onto swim further than I ever did before diagnosis and surgery. In the last few years since my diagnosis, the lung cancer treatment and research landscape have changed exponentially with changes in all manner of treatments and improved survival times so who knows what the current and future research might lead to? I've not long come out of hospital with a chest infection and been on many inhalers, meds and 12 steroids a day which all affected my heart (on admission was 64 bpm) to an erratic and speeded up heart with irregular rhythm. happy to report having returned just a few times in recent weeks, managed 210 lengths last night. swimming, yoga and pilates will all help regulate your breathing, are not too strenuous on your muscles yet tone them and rebuild them and all exercise can help improve mood. good luck and keep up that positive attitude…

[Hidden in reply to JanetteR57]

Hi Janette wow 210 lengths thats amazing l would have been crawling out of the pool after that , but well done and thanks for your support .Diane

[JanetteR57 in reply to Hidden]

so would I previously Just 5 months before and after surgery (during which time I'd only swum twice (had been told to avoid the humidity/damp and exercise by the hospital when admitted as an emergency), the surgeon asked me how the swimming was going and I said I was waiting for his permission as having had daily showers too soon after hospital discharge had opened up the wound (nobody told me I had to keep it dry!). He told me to go so I revived my suspended gym membership that day and after 2 very painful lengths thought I'd never swim again However I built it up slowly and steadily wanting to achieve my previous regular 160 lengths by the time I saw him in the June which I did. The sudden death of a friend from LC prompted me to swim and raise funds for RCLCF. Suddenly I had a new impetus to renew my fitness and swim further. A friend said 'I bet you do 200' which I'd never done in my life but got there and then asked myself 'what is stopping you doing more?' over time - I built it up to 360 in one session (admittedly that wasn't a regular feat) but a regular swim used to be around 260-280 and I aimed to do 300 at least once a week but have been nowhere near that for the last year as was hospitalised with pneumonia in December and then recently for chest infection. Here's to continued recovery and success for you and everyone else….

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hello diane55,

I am pleased to hear that although you still have a lot of ongoing worries you are feeling a little more upbeat. Regular gentle exercise such as swimming, walking and yoga are ideal, if you enjoy participating you will stay motivated to contniue with them

As always if you wish to discuss anything you can call our nurse led helpline number on freephone 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

Roy Castle Helpline

[janeg4]

Hi Diane great to hear from you , you keep feeding your soul my dear with doing whatever you desire if you can make it happen DO IT.

I cheer you on the gungho approach youre taking , and so pleased to hear that you are finding pleasure in your swimming and long walks .

Steroids well i can remember eating a full chinese meal after which i still had the space and appetite for another one lol goodness me , i also found out during Chemo that my nausea went away when i ate something ! Deary me i also put on several pounds , more like 20lbs lol ah well .

Best wishes Diane .

Jane x

[Vzdechlina]

Hi Diane, what an amazing post. You are such a source of positive energy despite the challenges you are going through. I am in Australia, reading your post and thinking how precious life is and how most take it forgranted. Diane, you are an inspiration. Thank you, and girl stay positive.

[SAH1]

Hi Diane,

I'm so pleased you've posted again. I do admire your attitude, you're very inspiring.

Best wishes.