What to do?

[crofton]

I was diagnosed with cancer of the uterus in March, following a hysterectomy I had a pet scan which showed something on my lung. It was first thought it could be secondary cancer, but following a VATs section at Guys 2nd May where the whole tumour (13 mm) was removed I was diagnosed with 1A lung cancer. I made a good recovery but after the third day I became ill and was transfered to St Thomas Hospital where they believed at the time I had a heart attack. Following a angiogram my arteries were found to be clear. On a follow up appointment my consultant who did the VATS confirmed it was lung cancer and wanted to procede as soon as possible with a lobectomy.

I've put him off to at least August as I just need a break from all this surgery, I'm confused as my tumour was so small why does he need to do the lobectomy. I know I should have asked him, but I will the next appointment!

I need some advise, I've been so lucky that it has been found so early!!

What if I did have a heart attack, I'm frightened to undergo such a further major op. He says if I don't have the op my chances are 8 in 100 people of it re developing and when I do have the op it's 2 in 100 . So why bother!

[loopyloo]

Hi Crofton, I had my lobectomy using vats. I had the upper left lobe removed 2yrs ago in November. Before doing the op they will check you are fit for surgery which I imagine they would have already done. I'm not a qualified medical professional but I imagine they want to make sure no cells are left behind and thats why they have opted for the lobectomy.

Everybody recovers at different rates from surgery, but I was out of hospital within a week. It was hard at first and I was terrified but I am now back at work part-time and so glad I went ahead with the surgery.

Don't be too hard on yourself it is a very stressful and somewhat confusing time.

Hope this has helped in some way.

Take Care

Loopyloo x

[crofton in reply to loopyloo]

Hi Loopyloo,

Thanks so much, I was very down when I wrote that blog thankyou for taking the trouble to write xx

[Hidden]

Hi Crofton,

I am a theatre nurse and also have lung cancer. Firstly so sorry you have been going through so much lately. It is standard for them to proceed to lobectomy to give you the best chance of a complete cure. They take a certain amount of argin around the tumour to make sure no cancer celles are left behind. You are very lucky that it has been found so early.

Regarding the heart, surgery can be performed on someone who has had a heart attack. With all surgery risk is taken into account. If the risk to you of not performing the surgery is greater that the risk of the anaesthetic then surgery will be recomended. If the risk of the anaesthetic to you is greater than the risk to you from the surgery then it will not be recomended. Anaesthetic is very safe these days and nothing to be feared.

At the end of the day, the choice is yours. I would think you would be offered chemo if you decided against the surgery. Surgery however is the one thing that can offer you a cure.

Think carefully about it and make sure you have all your questions answered before you make a decision.

Good luck and all the best

Lyn x

[crofton in reply to Hidden]

Hi Lyn,

Thanks it's nice to have it explained simply to me, I saw my Doctor today who feels I should have seen an oncologist probably after my hysterectomy. She is arranging for me to see one soon, so am hoping they will look at the bigger picture and help me make the right choice.

thanks again for your advice it really helped xx

[moto26261]

Hi Crofton, I too had a VATS wedge resection at Guys in May following a positive PET scan which confirmed that it was a small Lung cancer. Like you my surgeon recommended a lobectomy as the next step and I am booked in for surgery next Monday 18th. I am also very afraid and change my mind on an almost hourly basis as to whether I am strong enough to go through it or not. (I will because I owe it to myself and my family to try to beat this) The one thing I will say, having spoken to other people and my surgeon, is that not many people are given the chance of a cure and whilst we may not feel like it, we are among the luckier ones who are found to have this disease. The decision is ours to make ,but whatever you eventually decide you will receive the best care. I wish you luck xx

[crofton]

Hi Moto,

Yes I know I'm very lucky, and it's only a small percent that have such an early diagnosis, I'm hoping once I've spoken to an oncologist who hopefully will look at the bigger picture, what happened to me after surgery for example and what if any alternatives (such as chemo) are available to me. At the end of the day I will have the op if that is the best option for me.

Good luck to you for the 18th let me know how it goes xx