Confused about chemo.

[Yankabilly]

Hello, I am new here. I am a woman thats almost 68 years of age, I had lung cancer on April 10th 2018. I had to have the whole lower left lung removed and thankfully it hasn't spread. I was told if I had this surgery, I wouldn't have to have chemo or radiation. When I went back to the doctor I was told I was going to need chemo because it was near stage 3, I did a lot of crying and i'm scared to death. I have a couple of weeks to make my decision and I seem to keep pushing it away. I haven't been in the best of health through out my life. I've had pneumonia 18 times , 6 stomach surgeries and have COPD. I just don't know how chemo is going to effect me. They tell me that because the cancer was higher then they thought, it would be in my best interest to have chemo to keep it from cropping up some where else. I'm not ready to die and have always been scared of death, but I don't want to live in misery either. I'm still recovering from my surgery, still in a lot of pain and just want to get over one thing before starting another...I could use all the advice I can get..Thank you for listening to me and my story.

[Hidden]

This is a site for women with ovarian cancer.

Many of us have had to consider the points you make.

I think a majority would say have the chemo.

I certainly would. Best of luck!

[Yankabilly in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[Lindaura]

Dear Yanksbilly,

Although this is a site dedicated to Ovarian Cancer, most of us have experienced Chemotherapy in a variety of forms.

We know that it affects everyone differently, and different chemicals have different side effects.

Some ladies breeze through their treatment with just a few days of discomfort and others, like me, are completely wiped out by it.

But what keeps us going is the knowledge that the chemo is doing it’s job destroying cancer cells throughout the body.

I personally just gave myself to it. The first days after chemo weren’t too bad, because they give you steroids to counteract the nausea and these act like speed and keep you optimistic. There are lots of choices for anti-nausea medication and you just experiment til you find one that works. It’s important to keep hydrated and to eat as much as you can.

But the chemo will change your taste buds, so you and your loved ones will need to experiment with finding foods that you can tolerate.

Some of us get pain in our limbs, usually in our legs, which makes sleeping difficult, but this usually lasts for only 3 to 5 days, but many of us get knocked back with severe fatigue and breathlessness, which you probably already have from your lung.

You need to subscribe to Netflix, so you have lots of TV serials to entertain you, or audio books...To help you pass the time. We put a big TV at the foot of my bed so family members could lay next to me and watch together at different times of the day.

You will be watched over by your oncologist and you should have a special nurse you can call if you think something is not right, or you want to make an appointment change.

Most of us lost our hair, but felt it was a small price to pay for staying alive. Our UK cancer charity, MacMillan, helped us find lovely wigs at discounted prices.

The time goes by pretty quickly with chemo, as you go through each treatment and before you know it, it is over and time to begin recovery.

Best of luck,

Laura

[Yankabilly in reply to Lindaura]

Sorry I was in the wrong place for the type of cancer, but thank you for your input, I'm really conflicted about this.

[Lindaura]

Don’t keep worrying. Get the treatment you need!

[Yankabilly in reply to Lindaura]

Thank you Lindaura, I guess I worry because of the fear of the unknown. How is it going to react to my COPD , will it cause me to have Pneumonia again..I'm having a tough time with it all.

[Lindaura in reply to Yankabilly]

You definitely will need fresh CT scans of your lungs, but there is no reason to get pneumonia again if you take precautions.

Good luck,

Laura

[Katmal-UK]

Hi, By now you have realised that this site is used by ladies with OC. However, I have to say 'no way' to the fact you are nearly 68 - wish I looked that good and I am 10 years younger! Obviously because you had thought you wouldn't need chemo this has come as quite a shock and you have already been through so much in your lifetime. Do you have a nurse or oncologist you can discuss your fears with and also get some information on what type of chemo they are proposing and how it will affect you. When my late father had lung cancer at the age of 49 he had the third lobe removed and no chemo. When it came back 32 years later he had chemo and radiation and to be honest for an 80 year old man he coped remarkable well and the side effects were nowhere near as bad ad I had for OC, certainly less debilitating. I do hope you get the information you need and make the decision that is right for you. Sending you a big Hug. Kathy. PS please do let us know how you get on xx

[Yankabilly in reply to Katmal-UK]

Thank you for the compliment Katmal and yes the picture is recent. Yes I have an oncologist, I'm suppose to give him my answer when I see him , in just a couple of weeks, I will be sure to dump all of these questions in his lap before I decide anything. I just needed the input from people that has already been through it. I guess I need to find the site for lung cancer, I didn't realize I was in a site for OC. But everyone has been very helpful regardless.Thank you again, and hugs back to you.

[Bubbles-1]

Hi, I think you're doing the right thing getting as much info on how people coped with chemo. I'm not sure what 'mix' they'll give you for your lung cancer. A lot of us with ovarian cancer have the big guns Carboplatin & Pacitaxel for front line treatment, to knock the cancer back as much as poss. I coped very well, different stages & ages cope in their own way. If you remember the effects do pass/ reduce that can help whilst going through chemo. Wishing you the very best, & I just want to add you look absolutely fab, no where near 68!

Michelle xx

[Maxjor]

I hope you find the correct site for your cancer but as "my tribe" says, I would go with what gives you the most peace of mind and with all you have had happen already, it seems keeping this beast away would be your best option. I think finding others who may have been through what you have will help you know others experiences with your specific challenges but if it were me, I would take all precautions necessary. Good luck!!!!

[Di16]

You had a shock when you were told you had cancer, & I'm sure being told you didn't need chemo was some relief. Now you have had the shock of being advised to have chemo after all. Fear of the unknown is a real problem. When I was diagnosed with oc, I was initially told I would need surgery & chemo, which was scary. Then I was told that they had removed all the cancer, & because of the type of oc I had, I didn't after all need chemo, & I felt really relieved. But at a later date, when I was having problems with recurrences, I was advised to have chemo after all. I was at first depressed by things that were happening to me, & scared, but I coped. I have had more chemo since, & was less scared, because I had more idea of what to expect. It's difficult for anyone recently diagnosed. I thought I was too scared to have surgery when they first told me, & I assumed I didn't have long to live. But after thinking about it, I decided I needed to go for what seemed necessary, however scary it may seem at the time. 10 years later, I'm glad I did. I hope you'll forgive my rambling. I hope you'll come to the decision that's right for you. Di