Hi all l had a left lobectomy at the end of 2021, on my follow up l was told the lymph nodes removed were clear. I t was such a relief not having to go through the adjuvant chemo.
However three weeks later was asked if l would like to try the chemotherapy, l decided against it. Is there anyone out there who didn’t have the chemo treatment, what are their stories, l do regret not having it.
Tara
After my first lung cancer surgery I was told they got all the cancer, and the lymph nodes tested were all clear. I did the chemo to increase my chances of the cancer not returning. However, I was only able to complete half because my body was unable to tolerate it. Four years later, I lost another lung lobe to cancer. This time lymph nodes were clear, but some cells were found in the lining of the lung lobe that was removed. Chemo wasn't offered. Just had my 4 year check up, still clear.
Chemo not only kills cancer cells, I also kills healthy cells.
Thankyou for your reply, they have said l have micro metastasis so it’s wait and watch, and continue with the check ups.I should have had the chemo offered but they didn’t really think l would benefit much as post op was clear NED.
I had my follow up scan after my appointments that is why they backtracked, then offered chemo again if I wanted it, maybe if ld had the scan first it would have been different, they are keeping an eye on a 10mm lump on windpipe, they don’t what it is, so fingers crossed.
So lucky for you you have no spread, that’s brilliant news after 4yrs.
Hope it keeps going in that right direction for you.
With my first LC I was told chemo would boost my chances of staying NED by about 10 to 15 percent. But that's if I complete the entire course, which I was unable to do. A 10mm lump is pretty big, please keep an eye on it.
I always have my scan before I see my oncologist, that way she knows if there is anything to be concerned about, or if everything still looks okay.
This last scan did show a slightly enlarged lymph node, but they think it is because of the covid-pneumonia. They will check it again next June.
Yes it is big at 10mm l have a scan next month so will see if it has grown, it is a worry.Thankyou for your reply.
Tara
Please let me know how it goes.
Hi this is Carol my doctor really didn't tell me I had a choice about getting chemo after the surgery and after the first chemo and radiation I did ask later on if my lymph nodes were clear and they said yeah they took out 20 of them I think but I think the reason I had to do the extra chemo was because the tumor was way on the top of the lung and it kinda was in the pleura area so maybe that's why they made me do the extra chemo I think I had to miss one treatment cause my blood count was way off .I'm going on 6 years since being diagnosed in Jan 2016 and this Oct will be 6 years of my last treatment was supposed to be on halloween my favorite holiday!! I did ask him last visit cause I go for blood work every 12 weeks so he's really keeping an eye on Me to make sure my pain medicine isn't doing any damage I guess but I like it cause they check my CEA number and if that starts going up I guess that's a sign and mine have been right where they belong .what bothered me but I guess it's my fault cause I asked the question the question was' when will I ever feel safe that this is over or is there a time limit of your chances being better the longer years you go NED' and he said usually about 5 years and I was like oh good I'm 6 years in and his response was well we always never know if it will pop up somewhere else. Wtf I really didn't what brutal answer but I guess he's right I just such a worry wart I guess only God knows the outcome so I need to keep my faith and not worry about things that might happen I feel blessed cause my husband only made it 18 months but his LC went to his liver so he already was more at risk .boy I miss him. 😢 I feel like talking much but I think that knowing your lymph nodes were clear is a really good sign 👌 I think the surgery was the hardest on me of all the treamentsI'm still having pain from it but the radiation screwed me up a bit I have trouble swallowing.but the chemo made my hair better after it grew back lol 😆 keep an eye on that other thing you got going on cause you don't want it to move somewhere else.CANCER SUCKS!!!!
The only thing I was told after my first surgery was that they got all the cancer and I was in the 60 percentile. It was when I wound up in the hospital with a bad bladder infection, that it was suggested I go to Roswell for a second opinion. It was there that chemo was suggested. The second time they found cancer cells in the plura, but no one said anything to me ( I had stopped going to roswell, and started care at a local center). By the time I found out about the plura, it was too late for chemo. I have been very fortunate that I am still NED.
Your story does give me hope 4years now, the specialist said the chemo would only give a very small % chance of extra cure.Hope you continue to show NED, thankyou again for your support.
Tara
Thankyou for your story that’s brilliant you are 6years, but so sorry about your husband. Keep doing what you’re doing it’s certainly working and hope you have another ten years.
Love Tara
I had Chemo, Radiation, and Immunotherapy and so far, my scans are clear Thank God! My Uncle just had immunotherapy and he passed away last year. We both had lung cancer and mines was stage 3
Hi ZacAbout 6 weeks ago now I decided not to have the additional chemo that was offered post upper right lobectomy as the statistics tended to show it was possibly more pain than gain. I will be attending all my follow up appointments and currently just getting on with life and feeling relatively normal again.
I’ve decided not to dwell on the what if’s as it wouldn’t help my frame of mind. If later I need chemo and more treatment well, that will be then and not now. For me it has to be no regrets (although I did waver when making the decision). Statistically speaking it just didn’t seem worth it as no lymph nodes were involved although the tumour was 43mm. Apparently had the tumour been under 40mm, they wouldn’t have offered it.
Live for today in the best way we can. Love xxx
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