Even though I haven't been told I have cancer I'm scheduled for a lobectomy next week.my biopsy was negative but my mass lit up in a pet scan.shouldn't I have a surgical biopsy first?
Scared of surgery: Even though I haven't... - Lung Cancer Support
Scared of surgery
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Miasgamgam
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I had similar. Was told that biopsy was pretty pointless....if it was positive then surgery anyway..if it was negative and they didnt know what it was..then surgery was done also to remove it so skip biopsy and remove.mine was keyhole. They did look at mine whilst i was under GA... it was not exactly cancer....but 3rd of right lung removed. 1st 2 days were pretty grotty but i was not in any significant pain and 4 days later i was walking up and down corridors in hospital!
Had to wait for 2nd drain to clear but it was remarkably ok really!!
Harefield hospital in north london is totally brilliant. So so kind.
Best wishes
Thank u so much for responding.I'm just worried that I'll b worse off after surgery considering I'm not I'll now in fact this was just a routine check of an old nodule and a mass shows up.so either way sounds like it needs to be removed.I'm glad it went well for u sometimes reading post can scare the crap out of a person.thank u again
Welcome to the community! Will be keeping you close in my thoughts. I hope you are able to fill the time between now and next week with things that make you smile!
Thank u so much.My Dr called today and said they will take tissue before making the decision to proceed with the lobectomy.I think when drsvare explaining a procedure there is a point where my ears close and I don't hear any more.I stumbled upon this group last night and thank god I did otherwise I may have cancelled.I commented every person on here for the stories that help us all and may god put his arms around you and comfort u,I'm in the medical field and I'm never shocked to see such sweetness and concern for others by people who would deserve to be bitter,its amazing.I'll go in on the 8th and I'll be great thanks to each and every one of you
BTW sorry for spelling errors this silly auto correct is awful
Glad to hear that they are going to take a tissue sample before surgery! I retract my previous comment! For me it is important to have ALL the data before making such a big decision.
One of the things I do is have someone else come with me for appointments like this - we get overwhelmed and sometimes just have to stop listening. For 14 years my best friend went to every appointment and afterward we would talk about what each of us heard. It is amazing how much more she heard than I did. Also, she would ask questions that I was too overwhelmed to even think about. Unfortunateyt she isn't here anymore - I miss our friendship of 35+ years terribly
We would also have the "what if".discussions beforehand to help prepare, and I would have a written list of questions to ask.
Wishing you the best outcome possible!!
My hubby was there for biopsy and his nervousness freaks me out.I went to my surgery appt alone and u are correct I should have let him come.my sister had stomach flu in June nope stage 4 pancreatic cancer then last week aunt fell and hurt her rib well lung cancer that has taken over including her brain.so I think a piece of me is terrified but I'm the tough one in the family and if I show stress everyone will fall apart.I believe that's what led me here I was panicked stricken and u all were here for me and I'm so thankful.I just feel like my sister and aunt are so much worse and will die and my situation is treatable.....when it rains it poor's plus mom died 6 months ago so all I can do is pretend its all ok
You have a tremendous amount going on! I am sorry that so much has happened in such a short period of time. The first person you need to take care of is yourself. If you don't, you will eventually find you can't take care of anyone including you. My strong recommendation is that you find a professional counselor to help you process everything. There is no shame in doing this, and in taking shrink meds, too. I do both so that I can stay on track. It helps to talk to someone who has a vested interest only in you. That way you can let it all out and sort things through. I clearly remember trying to get through my first 3 cancers by myself and deeply wish I had started seeing a professional from the beginning. It has made a significant difference in the last 2 cancers.
Also, don't depend on someone who is not reliable. The last thing you need, even if it is your husband, is someone who is freaking out. My best friend was calm and cool and went to appointments with me. It was amazing just how much more she heard than I did! We would talk about what each of us heard, and she was an incredible help! We would also do the "what if..." before appointments when it was appropriate so that we were on the same page and had some ideas. She often would speak up and very much so ask the questions i was too overwhelmed to think of at the time. Unfortunately she passed last July and I have noticed a big difference in how appointments go. Hopefully I have found someone to take her place - we will see as time goes on.
Often the doctor or facility you are going to knows of professionals and can make a recommendation.
Please take care of you!
I wish you the bestin dealing with everything on your plate.
Be kind to yourself. You have so much going on right now.Youdon't have to carry everyone on your shoulders ( even though you have acquired that position). Find a friend that has a calming influence on you. You need a shoulder to lean on too.
If you like to walk, find a peaceful place. If you like music let it sooth your soul. Thinking about you and sending well wishes
Thank u so much,I'm trying to focus on myself a little more but I feel like I'll be relaxed on surgery day,its the waiting now that's bugging me.I appreciate your kind words it does help ALOT
Thank you so much.yes I'm spending time with my daughters and sweet granddaughter,she is 18 months old and will not understand why GAM GAM can't pick her up for awhile.just want this craziness over with
I was terrified of having lung surgery. I am a big chicken when it comes to pain! Unlike you, I informed my sons that the doctor had found a mass in my right lung, the biopsy came back positive and the PTscan showed no movement. After going crazy with worry for two weeks, the pathologist report came back. The surgeon was able to get all the cancer out! Do not know what is next, but the only advice I can give you is if you believe in God, PRAY. Plus, try not to worry (famous last words!)
Thank you and thank god your well.I will say waiting for Tuesday is the worst but seriously everyone here is so nice and I feel a lot better,I still think its a seed.....I'll let ya know stay well
It was a seed just like I thought
I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer that went to th brain I had surgery brain then I did chemo for 6 months now they operated on the lung and I'm fine the tumor shrunk from 3.5 to 1.5
Bless your heart I'm so glad your doing OK,thank u for the encouragement.
Hi Miasgamgam
8 years ago my husband had a mass in his top right lung. Doctor had it surgically biopsied
twice. Could not find cancer. His also lit up on the pet scan. He opted to have it out and what was found was a type of granuloma. This is a fungus. immediately tho his face(which had very dark circles around his eyes and his face was pale before surgery) was pink and clear. Granuloma was moving around in his lung.
I hope this helps
Texas64
That's wonderful.I swear its a seed from last year.I was eating this grain bread and started to laugh and I inhaled,3 days later I went to the ER because the pain was awful.the xray showed nothing.in Sept last year I had pneumonia and they couldn't see anything either but I swear I felt and still feel this thing.Now I'm excited because I know its a seed and u just made me feel like its a possibility.I'm so glad it worked out for your husband......ooo I can't wait to prove them wrong
I just love u and yes indeed it was a seed had I not heard from u I swear I would have panicked so my seed and I thank u
I'm so happy for you!!! God Bless
Misagamgam
Sending prayers for a successful outcome. I had lobectomy exactly one year ago and surgeon won't know until they operate and pathology is returned. Stay positive and be asured that many people in this community will be praying for you🙏🌸
I would put surgery on hold and get a second opinion. PET scans can light up for a lot of reasons other than cancer. Having such extensive surgery without a biopsy to make certain it is indeed cancer would be my priority. From the little information you have given, this seems to be the wisest way to go forward.
My situation was almost identical to yours. I had two inconclusive needle biopsies for a growing PET-positive 1.5 cm nodule in my lower left lobe. The plan was to biopsy after the surgeon took a wedge section, and then proceed to lobectomy if cancer. Turned out to be sarcoidosis granuloma which, interestingly, had foreign material in it that I'd aspirated and this had become abscessed. So, like you, I guess I breathed something in that happened to attach to pre-existing sarcoid and became infected... that's why it lit up on the PET. Either way, I couldn't live wondering if it was cancer so it was the best-ever choice. The surgery was much easier than I'd expected... a couple of tough days, followed by steady improvement. I was walking a mile within a few weeks. I'll be praying for you.. take care.
I did thank u didn't I? I don't see my reply and don't want you to think I didnt
All good....hang in there, I'm thinking about you!!
Thank you.Tuesday is almost here and now I'm curious as to what this is in my lung,I'll b sure to let u know
Tomorrow is Tuesday. Take a deep breath and leave the rest to God and his helpers.
Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. God will have you in his hands. Wishing you peace in your heart.
Let us know how you make out.
I'm glad its over and I'm glad your ok
When I first read your post, my immediate thought was No...! I would not opt to have a lobectomy before I knew "for certain" whether or not I had cancer. However, after reading the update where you said that your surgery was going to first take a sample, prior to the Lobectomy, that's make me feel much better and in that case, I guess I would go for it. My cancer was never "Operable" (too close to my Pulmonary Artery), so this was never an option, plus I also had an inoperable brain met, so I was Stage IV from the get go. I am NOT a fan of any surgery (I often end up with a "complication" even sometimes with simple procedure, so in many ways I think I felt almost relieved that surgery was not an option for me, especially brain surgery. But, we are all different and many prefer surgery and hope they it will get all the cancer, so I understand that too. I had my biopsy via Bronchoscopy and although a Bronch that is still a form of "surgery" I found it a very easy procedure and was home a few hours later, had no pain or any side effects. I've since had another one done and it also went very well.
I wish you the very best -- take one step at a time! Take care and good luck!
PS: If you have a lot of anxiety (many of us do), please don't hesitate to ask for an RX for an Anti Anxiety Med -- an Ativan or Xanax can really make you feel a lot less anxious.
IH your sweet thank you so much,I wish you all the best
I had 2 biopsies before I had surgery. I pray that your surgery goes well. I had it, and it was not as bad as I thought it would be. I'll be happy to answer any questions you have.
Thank u so much and I'm still nervous but I'm all in.I'm feeling better because the amount of people who said the surgery wasn't so bad.I broke my rule and looked at the surgery on you tube and panicked.waiting is the hardest part.I'm glad your well thank u again
I cannot stress strongly enough that you should get a 2nd opinion or at least fight for a biopsy. PET scans light up for all sorts of reasons, not just for cancer. You don't want to have to go through losing part of your lung without knowing for certain that it is, indeed, cancer. So far I have escaped surgery for the lung ca, but this is my 5th primary ca and I've been at this for 15 years. The only time they didn't do a biopsy first was with the liver ca, and that was only because the tumor had to come out anyway because it was blocking my bile duct and a bunch of other complications.
Praying all goes well for you, Miasgamgam
HI -- wishing you well. I have had the lower left lobe removed and my middle right lobe removed. At the VA hospital I was worried but the surgeon I had did great. I was never in the hospital more than 5 days for either surgery and the recover was great for both. I wish you all the best and will try to find you again on this site (I am brand new, this is my first post so I will try my best) --- God bless and you will do fine,
Welcome, RRR737. So glad you joined us. Will be interesting to hear more about your experiences!
Thank u so much,its been 2 weeks since surgery and I'm OK just a little sore
Miasgamgam, holding you close in my thoughts and prayers.
Your all so kind and I pray each and everyone of you is protected and has peace in whatever u face.this was the scariest time in my life and you all really helped me and I thank you.I had an infected seed as I told the doc a year ago I proved them wrong no matter what I was told I knew it wasn't cancer.I love u all and be well
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