Well, I haven't posted enough the last month or so but I have been busy at work and then have had "stuff" to take care of.

I had a bone scan due to various pains I have been having and the bone scan came back negative (WOOOO HOOOOO). Now I am waiting for the results of an MRI on my left leg, I have been having soreness & swelling forever in my left shin, to the left of the bone that runs down the front of your leg.

I also have been having an ongoing problem with a pain under my right breast since surgery and it seems to be increasing. About once a month or so, if I bend over a certain way, there is a sharp pain under my breast, almost like a pinching that lasts about 10 seconds and then slowly goes away. It almost feels like something actually is "rolling" back into place..sometimes I could swear I hear a "pop". The pain is like a charlie horse in your diaghram, it takes your breath away and there is nothing you can do but wait for it to stop.

The last month, it has been happening more, and not just when I bend down. Several people had mentioned gall bladder but when I went to my doctor, he said that he didn't think so. He pressed against my ribs/ribcage and in one area, on my side, I almost jumped off the table in pain. He seems to think that I may have a nerve twisted around my ribs and that since I am becoming less and less numb, am feeling the results of my nerve damage more. He gave me a shot of both a steroid and an anti-inflammatory and it actually has worked, I went from having this "popping" daily to not at all, the last week.

Anyway, I guess I will go with the "nerve damage" theory unless I hear otherwise. I thought I would throw this out there and see if anyone else in the "new normal" has had this sensation (I know of one other person, didn't know if there were more).

All said and done, I never forget that I am "lucky" that this all that I have to worry about ... My gratitude that I am "okay", even if for just today, is overwhelming sometimes these days...

_________________
Debi
50 years old
Stage 1a-nsclc,1.3 centimeter, adenocarcinoma
Surgery June 16, 2003-upper & mid lobe removed
17 lymph nodes removed - all clear
No chemo or radiation

Debi,
I can't really help you too much here except to concur that it seems like every time I get the weird twitches in my chest I am always told it is nerve damage from the surgery. Good news for me is that it usually goes away.

I am glad you are looking into it further, hopefully it ends up being something that can be remedied!

Take care,
Wendy

_________________
3/2004 Stage 3a-adeno @ 39yrs
3/2004 Left Lung removed, 21 nodes +, paralyzed left vocal cord
3/2006 - New Mets - Spine T12 & Right ischium bone
1/2008 - New Met Spine t10, Possible thyroid

CHEMO
May-Jun 2004 Cisplatin/VP16, 6 days straight every 3 wks, 3 cycles
Jul-Aug 2004 Taxotere 1X every 3 wks, 3 cycles
Sep-April 05 Iressa trial daily
Jan 06-Jan 07 Avastin ev 3 weeks, tarceva daily, zometa ev 6 weeks
Feb 07-Jan 08 Tarceva daily
Jan 08-Present Avastin ev 3 wks + Tarceva Daily

Radiation May-Jun 04 chest 28 days
Feb 06 Spot radiation X 10 days to spine t12 and pelvis (ischium bone)

Debi,
I hope all is quiet soon and no more snapping, crackling, or popping with your body. It's good to see you on.
Rochelle

_________________
Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.
John Lennon

"Never, never, never give up." Winston Churchill

"I rang for ice, but this is ridiculous." -Madeline Talmadge-Astor, as she was being helped off the Titanic

"Losing love is like a window in your heart, everybody sees you're blown apart, everybody sees the wind blow". Paul Simon

Husband John has NSCLC-Vena Cava Syndrome Stage 3B, Dx 6/02
Carbo/Taxol,Radiation
Taxotere
Gemzar
Iressa started 3/03
10/03 Stable CT scan
1/04 CT Still stable.
3/04 PET Scan, Still stable.
7/04 Still stable
1/05 Still stable
1/30/05 Iressa discontinued Started Tarceva, still stable 7/05
1/06 Slight increase in tumor, stopping Tarceva.
1/27/06 Started Alimta
5/5/06 Avastin added to Alimta
6/14/06 Stable, continue w/ Avastin
1/29/07 Shrinkage! Continue w/ Avasin.
7/07- Something new on the CT scan, doing a bronc 7/25/07 to see what it is. 8/21/07 begins brachytherapy. Next treatment postponed until 9/6/7 due to an infection which is making him too ill for the procedure. 9/13/07 Diagnosed with Aspergillus. Has brachytherapy 9/20/07. Developed a pericardial effusion, 10/30/07 has a pericardial window to drain the fluid. Procedure goes well but he passes away 10/31/07 due to a pulmonary hemorrhage.
Pic is me and daughter Jillian aka The Jillinator.
Visit Walk the Walk:
www.michiganlungcancerwalk.org

I continue to have pain in my ribs and back from the surgery and its been 10 months. Unfortunately, when they use that rib spreader to get to the lung, I think it causes more damage than they want you to know.

_________________
Dx: 4/04 Stage IIA
Turned 40 on 5/30/04
Upper Lobe Rt. Lung Surgically Removed 4/30/04
Cisplatin & Gemsar 6-9/04 (4 rounds)
12/8/04 First Scan Clear NED
2/1/05 Brain MRI clear
3/3/05 PET shows an active lymph node. Biopsy scheduled for 3/10/05 Hoping for the best
Mediastinoscopy on 3/10/05. All tissued biopsied is negative for cancer. Still NED!
6/8/05 Spoke too soon. Pet scan shows that lymph node is still hot.
8/19/05 Its back. Biopsy confirms lymph node is cancer.
8/23/05 Thoracotomy No. 2. Surgeon removes all lympn nodes in mediastinum. All negative for cancer except the one showing up on Pet.
10-11/05 Seven weeks of Taxotere and Radiation
1/31/06 CT - All Clear
2/26/06 Brain MRI - All Clear

Picture taken on post-surgery trip with the loves of my life: My wife Christine and son Zachary

Hi Debi,

Wow, sorry for your recent problems. I had that diaphram 'spasm' thing a few times, actually both before and after surgery. Don't get it much any more though, but I'm really interested in what you find out about what causes that.

Just wanted to chime in though about that pain under the breast on the side of your surgery. I STILL have soreness in that bottom rib under my breast on the side of my surgery. It's tender to the touch, but not to the extent that I'd be in extreme pain if someone were to press on it. I just always thought it was from 'sprung ribs' (my technical term for the result of that ugly looking rib spreader being used on us), but I really don't know. It's like it's right at the point that I feel the most pressure went when they spread my ribs open, but again, that's just guessing on my part.

Tell you what else, I just had that nasty cold/sinus infection that's been going around here, and of course besides almost freaking out and going to the doctor and wondering if it was ever going to get better and missing work (I hate missing work), sneezing is still really exciting on my left side. I don't know if that will ever go away. You'd think after nearly two years, if it were going to go away, it would have by now.

Sorry you've got these issues going on, as if it isn't enough running to the doctor with this, we've got other stuff popping up like crazy all of a sudden. I've had a couple of minor side issues pop up health wise, and it's like I have a part time job waiting to see doctors. I'm thankful though that they are small, and easily handled.

It's good to see you on the board again, and keep us informed.

Take care,

Cindy

_________________
age 56
surgery 6/20/03, stage 1B, upper left lobectomy
started adjuvant chemo on 08/14/03
3 cycles--cisplatin/gemzar
finished chemo 11/6/03
now 9 years post-lobectomy, annual x-ray and follow-up with surgeon
follow-up with oncologist every year/bloodwork and clinical exam

2001 early stage breast cancer/surgery and radiation only, no chemo needed. Mammograms once a year,

Just passed 11 year mark for the breast cancer and 9 year mark for the lung

Debi, good to see you post.Sorry your having aches and pains.You sure don't deserve that.Hope you get better quick with no major problems.

_________________
dianosed 04/29/2003 nsclc***left lung removed 06/18/2003***two checkups NED *** cancer back 10/10/03 mets to right lung *** 7 rounds chemo carboplatin & taxol at same time with 7 weeks of daily radiation***01/04/04 shrinkage***04/04/ still stable***07/04/04 stable***10/04/04 no change***03/04/05 cancer spread to windpipe blocking 80% of airway and also bottom r. lung and stump where l.lung was removed***03/24/05 had laser surgery to open windpipe & stent put in***03/24/05 chemo and radiation again same type and amount***07/20/05 tumors shrunk but not gone and new tumor in top r.lung***remaining lung in bad shape with lots of scar tissue***10/20/05 no evidence of more spreading***01/31/2006 scans stable***03/13/06 increased cancer in middle of chest and airway***06/22/06 no change***06/05/06 prostate trouble and catheter from 06/06/06 until 09/14/06 when surgery on prostate (no cancer)***10/08/06 spread again 3.5cm tumor on brain and 6.5 cm tumor back in middle of chest again***have done 14 WBR tx's and waiting for 1 x-knife tx upcoming***more chemo upcoming***12/20/06 no more chemo or radiation to chest area***placed on pallitive care***they will do as possible as anything arises***follow up mri in late january for brain tumors***also may need stent in esophogus for severe reflux and restricted size of esophogus***only two options left,treat and be very ill with almost no chance of getting or feeling better or maintain maximum quality of life as long as possible and be treated for comfort as problems occur.I am at the stage of this where I CHOOSE QUALITY.

I have a great wife,3 daughters and son-in-laws,5 grand daughters,1 grandson,and 1 great grand son.My goal in life is my 100th birthday as it always has been.

----------------------------------

picture is of me and my great grand son.

Um, Debi, you're just getting old....

Still pains here on surgical side - and that darn scar STILL itches enough to drive me batty! Itches and then hurts when it's scratched!

I think my poor diaphragm is still a bit at a loss on my right side and just doesn't know how to act with so much of the lung gone....

Of COURSE you're okay, the only thing screwy with you is your head! Call me again some time, I haven't had such an entertaining conversation in a very long time! Very, very refreshing!

xxoo,
Becky

_________________
Courage is being scared to death - and saddling up anyway. ~John Wayne

Surviving is important. Thriving is elegant. ~ Maya Angelou

Keep your fears for yourself, but share your courage with others. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

*Picture was drawn by son at age six (he's now NINETEEN) - see the little blonde knight in the corner? That's him...my "Dragon Slayer"

34 y/o (on diagnosis) NON-SMOKER
1/28/03: DX NSCLC Adenocarcinoma-Stage I or II
2/10/03: surgery to remove lower 2 lobes of rt. lung w/7 nodes (3 +)
2/12/03: new DX: Stage IIIa (T2N2M0)
3/11/03: MD Anderson - not impressed
4/1/03: Began 5 1/2 wks rad
5/9/03: Began Iressa (1 yr)
7/23/03: Ended Iressa - too many side effects
10/04/04: Turned 36 and still NED!
12/28/04: Clear CT scan
1/28/05: Two year anniversary of diagnosis
3/28/05: Clear
6/27/05: Clear
8/26/05: Clear
12/07/05: Clear
12/16/05: Brain CT - clear
1/28/06: Three year anniversary of diagnosis
4/17/06: Clear
8/21/06: Clear
9/27/06: Brain MRI - clear
1/28/07: Four year anniversary of diagnosis
2/21/07: Clear
08/22/07: Clear
02/10/08: Technically, five years cancer free.
02/27/08: All clear! Could it be "cured?"
02/25/09: Clear
01/25/10: X-ray and blood work
01/29/10: Clear (7 years!)
05/26/10: Son graduates from high school - never thought I'd see it!
10/16/10: Married Mr. Right
1/24/11: Clear (8 years)
Currently watching...and wondering.

My story: viewtopic.php?f=47&t=8192

Debi,

I don't post here often however I have been reading this board daily ever since my aunt was diagnosed with LC. I just had to give some input because I have never found anybody that has this strange pain under the right breast before!!!! I have exactly what you are describing. At first they thought I had a hernia and they actually did surgery on it. About 2 months after the surgery I continued having the pain though. It's not constant but it feels like a charlie horse right underneath the right breast. It's bad enough to take my breath away until it goes away. Sometimes it's so bad the muscle will hurt the next day. Anyway, Im convinced it's my gall bladder. I had a sonogram done before my hernia surgery just to rule out anything else. I'm a cancer survivor myself. Well, the only thing they found was a "contracted gall bladder". They said that it shouldn't bother me but I'm sure that's what it is. There is no other explanation and it's in the right spot for the gall bladder.

That's just my input . Like I said, I don't post much but I couldn't pass this one up. Let me know if they end up diagnosing you with something!


Jessica

Debi,
so glad to see you posting..it has been a while. I'll go with the nerve damage theory too...and an sending positive thoughts that there is not more pop, or crack or pain for you and that the meds will do the trick.
Keep us updated- Have missed you.

_________________
- Katie Brown, Co-Founder and Director of LCSC-

15 yr cancer survivor.

"Any of us who have experienced the cancer journey- and survived it-
have an obligation to make the path clearer and aid those that come after us."
- Lance Armstrong

In memory of Jessee Dewey, SCLC
December 29, 1938 - September 6, 2003
Lisa Dewey- Jan. 22, 2007
my parents are together in heaven


facebook www.facebook.com/lungevity

Hey Debi. Sorry you have all this going on right now but am glad to see you posting again. I was starting to wonder bout you. I remember you saying you were spending lots of time at work tho. I will go with the nerve tho. Could you be over dooing it at work or anything? I know you do office work and probably not much (if any) lifting but maybe sitting and typing could cause it. Hope it is nothing serious. Welcome back.

Hi Debi: I am glad to see you post again. I hope your aches and pains, while being annoying, just turn out to be no more than annoying. I like the nerve damge theory.

Don M

_________________
10-31-03 CT. My profile was getting too long so I moved it to my story.

http://www.lungevity.org/l_community/vi ... hp?t=37417

Hi Debi,

I am glad that the treatment is keeping that area pain free. It is great news that your bone can came ouf negative. I am sure that was a load off your mine.

Sending you out good vibes.


Maryanne

_________________
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take...but by the moments that takes our breath away"
[size=75]
Husband Joel, 58 dx 10/18/04 Smoker since age 15 stopped when diagnosed
Adenocarcinoma- stage 1B
Lobectomy Left upper lobe on 12/15/04
biopsy on lymph nodes - negative NED
1/13/04 Oncologist appt.to see about preventive Chemo.
Cancelled due to chronic fatigue
1/12 fentynal patch for pain
1/14 discontinued Fentynal patch bad reaction
1/15 Blood test showed high T levels
2/1 Endoconrinologist visit diagnosed over-active thyroid
2/8/05 took Radioactive Iodine to kill thyroid
2/16/05 appetite back, fatigue leaving
2/24/05 visit with Pulmonary Doc. Breathing at 96% capacity,
Next visit 3 mos.
3/9/05 Endocrinologist visit -T levels went from 25 down to 5.
3/30 started Synthoid(thyroid med)
3/31 Oncologist. appt. CT results NED...
4/14 starting adjunctive Chemo (carbo/taxol) 4 treatments
3 weeks apart.
6/15/05 Joel finished chemo, chest X-ray clear, Next CT in August
9/01/05 1st CT since Chemo.. NED
11/17/05 CT - small nodule found 4 or 5 mil. in his good lung
1/10/06 CT - nodule Stable
7/2006 CT/ Nodule stable
10/2006 CT Nodule seem to have grown from 4 to 7 mil.
10/2006 Pet- showed some uptake
10/2006- operation- wedge section right upper lobe turned out to be cancerous 2 nodules next to each other. 2 different types of cancer. 1 squamous cell carcinoma (new primary)2- adenocarcinoma-(not sure if new primary or metastasis)
May be restaged to IIIB
11/07/2006 will start 4 rounds of taxotere. 3 weeks apart. Will take Decadron before, day of and day after. Will get a shot of Leunesta the day after. Here we go again.. Joel's attitude.... great as usual
Horrible reaction to the neulasta shots. One night(New Years eve) went to ER. Spent 3 days in hosptal.
Feb 2007 finished chemo.
March 2007 had his CT .. as expected right now all is clear.
June 2007 NED!!!
Sept 07- CT- small nodule 3.5 mm
Going to do another CT in 6 weeks.
October 07- CT done, results STABLE...YEA
Jan. 2008... STABLE!!!
April 2008 little growth but still called stable
July 17 208 nodule doubled in size to 9mm. Needs Pet Scan, tests, hopefully cyberknife...
July 29 met with his surgeon... said Cyberknife is the way to go.
August 1- Cyberknife visit... Joel is a canidate, its a go...Happy B-day Joel...
Sept 22, 2008 finshed up the last of 3 cyberknife procedures
Nov. had CT scan
Nov. 9th results of CT from Cyberknife..... Tumor completely gone... right now NED!!!
Feb. 09- Pet/CT results. . . NEd!!!
May 09 Pet/CT results. . . NED!!!
Sept. 09 Pet/CT results.....NED!!
Jan. 2010--- NED!! Pet now will be every 6 months.
June 8,2010 Pet scan on our Anniversary... hope thats a good sign..
June 17, NED!!!
Dec. 30,2010... NED!!!
June 20,2011... NED!!!
March 2012....NED!!!

pic of Joel and our daughter Nicole at walk NOV. 07

[img]http://www.freewebs.com/beansprouts2005/nik_and_dad_1LC_walk.jpg[/img]

http://www.babababies.com

Thanks everyone for your kindness as always..

I got my MRI results back on my leg. There is fluid that has collected between the tissues separating my bone and my muscle in my lower leg, but the Specialist is sure it is not connected at all to cancer. Its something he wants me to take an antiflammatory for and to keep my leg wrapped for awhile to compress the tissue.

Anyway, I was glad someTHING showed up so I know its not in my damn head. I told this doctor that I feel like a friggin hypochondriac and he replied that with my history, I NEED to be a hypochondriac.

I feel better now ....

_________________
Debi
50 years old
Stage 1a-nsclc,1.3 centimeter, adenocarcinoma
Surgery June 16, 2003-upper & mid lobe removed
17 lymph nodes removed - all clear
No chemo or radiation

Wow. Debi..

I am glad that it is not cancer-related and can be fixed.

I love that doc of yours...what a wonderful attitude he/she has! Wish all of us had one like yours who would be with us instead of again' us!

Blessings for full and speedy recovery of your leg.

Cindi o'h

Debi-
3 cheers for your doc and I'm so glad that your aches and pains are explainable outside the realm of the BIG C. Please continue to be diligent about having things checked out--better safe than sorry!!

_________________
"Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever." Lance Armstrong

"Every moment is a breath-taking, transitory experience, never to be repeated again." - Don Juan Matus

Tiny
Age 58 at dx; lifelong non-smoker
12/01 dx NSCLC bronchoalveolar-type adenocarcinoma (BAC), Stage IIA
2/02 Lobectomy RLL; no chemo or rad
6/03 MRI = "empty"
3/05 Bone Scan = negative
2/08 CT = "No Evidence for Metastases or Recurrence"
Enjoyed 6+ years of NED
1/09 CT/PET:Recurrent disease: multiple new nodules in both lungs, mediastinal lymph nodes, and spot on liver.
2/3/09 Bone Scan: Degenerative arthritis (hooray!)
2/4/09 Started Tarceva
~~ picture: Temple of Poseidon, Greece 4/08 ~~

Great news Debi, Way the go..



Maryanne

_________________
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take...but by the moments that takes our breath away"
[size=75]
Husband Joel, 58 dx 10/18/04 Smoker since age 15 stopped when diagnosed
Adenocarcinoma- stage 1B
Lobectomy Left upper lobe on 12/15/04
biopsy on lymph nodes - negative NED
1/13/04 Oncologist appt.to see about preventive Chemo.
Cancelled due to chronic fatigue
1/12 fentynal patch for pain
1/14 discontinued Fentynal patch bad reaction
1/15 Blood test showed high T levels
2/1 Endoconrinologist visit diagnosed over-active thyroid
2/8/05 took Radioactive Iodine to kill thyroid
2/16/05 appetite back, fatigue leaving
2/24/05 visit with Pulmonary Doc. Breathing at 96% capacity,
Next visit 3 mos.
3/9/05 Endocrinologist visit -T levels went from 25 down to 5.
3/30 started Synthoid(thyroid med)
3/31 Oncologist. appt. CT results NED...
4/14 starting adjunctive Chemo (carbo/taxol) 4 treatments
3 weeks apart.
6/15/05 Joel finished chemo, chest X-ray clear, Next CT in August
9/01/05 1st CT since Chemo.. NED
11/17/05 CT - small nodule found 4 or 5 mil. in his good lung
1/10/06 CT - nodule Stable
7/2006 CT/ Nodule stable
10/2006 CT Nodule seem to have grown from 4 to 7 mil.
10/2006 Pet- showed some uptake
10/2006- operation- wedge section right upper lobe turned out to be cancerous 2 nodules next to each other. 2 different types of cancer. 1 squamous cell carcinoma (new primary)2- adenocarcinoma-(not sure if new primary or metastasis)
May be restaged to IIIB
11/07/2006 will start 4 rounds of taxotere. 3 weeks apart. Will take Decadron before, day of and day after. Will get a shot of Leunesta the day after. Here we go again.. Joel's attitude.... great as usual
Horrible reaction to the neulasta shots. One night(New Years eve) went to ER. Spent 3 days in hosptal.
Feb 2007 finished chemo.
March 2007 had his CT .. as expected right now all is clear.
June 2007 NED!!!
Sept 07- CT- small nodule 3.5 mm
Going to do another CT in 6 weeks.
October 07- CT done, results STABLE...YEA
Jan. 2008... STABLE!!!
April 2008 little growth but still called stable
July 17 208 nodule doubled in size to 9mm. Needs Pet Scan, tests, hopefully cyberknife...
July 29 met with his surgeon... said Cyberknife is the way to go.
August 1- Cyberknife visit... Joel is a canidate, its a go...Happy B-day Joel...
Sept 22, 2008 finshed up the last of 3 cyberknife procedures
Nov. had CT scan
Nov. 9th results of CT from Cyberknife..... Tumor completely gone... right now NED!!!
Feb. 09- Pet/CT results. . . NEd!!!
May 09 Pet/CT results. . . NED!!!
Sept. 09 Pet/CT results.....NED!!
Jan. 2010--- NED!! Pet now will be every 6 months.
June 8,2010 Pet scan on our Anniversary... hope thats a good sign..
June 17, NED!!!
Dec. 30,2010... NED!!!
June 20,2011... NED!!!
March 2012....NED!!!

pic of Joel and our daughter Nicole at walk NOV. 07

[img]http://www.freewebs.com/beansprouts2005/nik_and_dad_1LC_walk.jpg[/img]

http://www.babababies.com

Glad your leg turned out to be something more directly addressed, Deb.

XOXOXOX
Prayers,
MaryAnn

_________________
dx 4/00 age 44, pancoast nsclc IIIa, 14 cm x 9 cm. 6-7/00, chemo 6 daysx2 (cisplatin/VP-16), 25 days radiation 6-7/00, removal of left upper lobe, 13# tumor, (loss of 5 ribs) w/ rebuilt goretex chest wall 8/00, chemo x2 9-10/00;
Clean Brain, neck, chest, ab, pelvic scans 2/04 Some pleural effusion along prosthetic chest wall. Keep an optimistic eye on it all...
April 2004, 4 year survivor w/NED...
8/11/2004 Scans clear, NED, pleural effusion stable and small. 4 year 4 month survivor
Avatar "HAPPY" , a gift from Rick Brown, is as close as I can come right now to owning a dog again. 9/24/2007 Scans NED, = 8 year survivor !!

Hi; I just developed "things that go pop" too. When I bend down...right where the rib was removed, it pops...feels like muscle or scar tissue folding over or something...weird. Also, when Im walking or deep breathing in certain positions..I swear I can feel the lung stump flopping around in there...yuk. Just wanted you to know youre not alone. hehe...Rich B.

_________________
06/28...Broncoscopy Mon....suspicious mass in left lung per ct scan...wish me luck...much anxiety, and yes, fear.
06/30...Needle biopsy, due to bronch. being inconclusive
07/02...dx is adenocarcinmoma...NSCLC

07/15...Surgery, entire left lung removed, No lymph node involvement or metasis yet discovered, so...hopeful prognosis
07/21 Home after sufficient recovery in hosp., slow recuperation, awaiting appt. with oncologist to determine if any additional treatment, screening, etc..
08/17/04 Oncologist appt....recomends more scans, CT bone, MRI, Pet etc. Also recomends one round of chemo...

9/17/o4 Good news, scans are all clear..NO evidence of disease detected...hopeful it remains that way. Remaining cautious tho, one more MRI to go and some adjuvant chemo....so waiting, healing, still doing med. appts for awhile. Then regular xrays ea. 3 mos.

Whoops...detour, the MRI/spine turned up a small lesion of unknown type. Off to the orthopedic specs. to investigate, get options. Chemo delayed briefly pending opinion from ortho guys.

Opinion is "not cancer" on spine...apparently just my arthritic joints...so, becomes a pain management issue..appt. made. On to adjuvant chemo on Monday. Finally.

Mon./10/27...o4 started adjuvant chemo finally; Taxotere first , then Cisplatin, I think...fatigued knocked me flat the 3rd day after...dozing, trying to catch my breath every time I move...sigh
Fri...emergency room, oxygen...Pneumonia-like inflammation of remaining lung...week of IV antibios and steroids...finally recovering, but...chemo ceased...end of that notion. Bad react. to taxotere. Now on to just screening scans for future. Continuing pain management consultations for back and surg. pain.

10/10/05 CT and PET scans; NED, clear, normal..1yr. out from treatment...cool.

2 yr. scans clear...wheww! SOB and easily fatigued tho, continues. Perm. I guess.

I too get the sharp pain under my right breast especially if I stretch or sneeze. Feels like being stabbed. Very PAINFUL but I also just had my surgery on April 20TH so I'm hoping it's only temporary. Saw my surgeon for a post op visit this week and he told me the pain should eventually subside and to take the pain meds for now. I hate them (percocets) just make me sleep all the time. He also told me some disturbing stuff......for some people the pain lasts for 2-3 years and in rare cases it never goes away. Didn't like hearing that. I have a big property to take care of.

_________________
2/15/2005 Routine Cat Scan
2/17/2005 Dr Called....small nodule lower right lung (2.5 cm)
2/22/2005 PET SCAN
3/01/2005 Pulmonologist confirmed it is LC
3/07/2005 Bronchoscopy/Biopsy
3/10/2005 Inconclusive...could not get enough due to bleeding. Will try and schedule the needle biopsy early next week.
3/11/2005 Bone Scan
3/14/2005 Pulmonary Function Tests
Brain Scan (MRI)
3/18/2005 Needle Biopsy completed today. No problems. Got enough tissue for analysis.
3/22/2005 Call from Dr this morning. Stage 1a or 1b, no mets. Will schedule surgery within the next two weeks.
3/29/2005 Met with surgeon at Fox Chase in Philadelphia. He thinks nodule may be somewhat bigger than originally diagnosed. Surgery scheduled for 4/14/04 with possible chemo afterwards. Won't know until surgery is completed. Very scared and nervous.
04/14/05 Surgery cancelled. AGHHHH. Surgeon's father stricken ill and he had to cancel his surgeries for the week.. Re-scheduled for Wed April 20th...Agony is unbearable. This is my second setback. Just want it out and hopefully a clean report..
4/20/05 Surgery completed. Right lower lobectomy. Surgeon said he took a 'bunch' of lymph nodes. Released from hospital after 6 day stay.
4/28/05 Call from surgeon today. Good News...no lymph node involvement, tumor very small, staged 1a. Surgeon sees no need for follow up chemo or radiation. Thank GOD...these last 1.5 months have been the worst of my entire life.
4/28/05 Recovering at home for 6-8 weeks.
5/10/2005 Follow up surgeon visit. Everything good. Schedule chest x-ray every three months and cat scan every six months. Thank God and all the good people on this site.
10/19/2005 Follow up Chest X-ray. Everything good.
4/18/2006 First CatScan since surgery one year ago on 4/20/05. Dr called...stable and no change. WHAT A RELIEF.
Octoer 2006...chest x-ray...stable.
May 2007 two year cat scan; Stable/NED

Bill in PA

Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one "poppin" over here. Actually, mine has stopped for a bit..it seems to go in cycles. So whatever the heck it is, it is quiet right now...but Rich, I know what you mean by Yuk!

Bill, I'm sure the pain will subside bit by bit. My surgeon wouldn't give me pain pills after about 3 weeks out of surgery because he said I would keep needing them. He said that my brain was going to have to learn to 'ignore' the pain, hence the numbness and the only way to do that was to let it hurt for a little while. He explained it like the nerves keep sending signals to the brain of Help me, do something and the brain eventually doesn't respond to the signals, and the pain fades. He told me if I kept taking pain pills, the brain would never 'learn' to ignore the nerve impulses. I have no idea whether this is true or not..

I had told my surgeon about my past addiction problems and this may have helped his refusal to give me sleeping pills or more pain pills. (Chalk this up as one of those times I was sorry that I checked certain boxes about my history on the medical forms). But the pain actually did dissipate after awhile, although I still do get discomfort now and then. Nothing I can't live with though ( I just grumble about it! ). Anyway, hang in there, better days are coming Bill.....

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Debi
50 years old
Stage 1a-nsclc,1.3 centimeter, adenocarcinoma
Surgery June 16, 2003-upper & mid lobe removed
17 lymph nodes removed - all clear
No chemo or radiation

wf; well, Im 10 months out from surg...pain is down to mostly just discomfort now....I just found out I can ride the lawnmower, if only about half speed. hehe. Still not able to do much tho, beyond lifting a half-gallon of milk, upper bod is easily aggravated by heavy lifting, work. Durn rib cage muscles are involved in every movement, it seems...even walking to some degree. Also, run outa breath soon as I exert a little. (Like carry the groceries up the stairs.) Guess its gonna take me more time to get back to any projects...sigh. Just getting to sleep in bed, on my sides a little, the last month or so too.

Debi; Yea, my surg. cut me off the narco pain pills about same as you, but I was still in pain, so I asked onc. at first visit..he doled em out freely, said addiction was a myth really, but some docs are nervous about it, I guess. Anyway, pain eventually decreased, about 5mos. out, and I didnt miss the pills at all, long as I didnt need em. (And I didnt enjoy the constipation much. hehe) I keep a little darvocet around..(not narco), for mostly my back pain days...but dont use much. Dunno...all docs and peeps are diff., I guess...but Im addicted to nicotine still...so not like Im not a "personality". hehe. Anyway, ...good luck to us all...Rich B.

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06/28...Broncoscopy Mon....suspicious mass in left lung per ct scan...wish me luck...much anxiety, and yes, fear.
06/30...Needle biopsy, due to bronch. being inconclusive
07/02...dx is adenocarcinmoma...NSCLC

07/15...Surgery, entire left lung removed, No lymph node involvement or metasis yet discovered, so...hopeful prognosis
07/21 Home after sufficient recovery in hosp., slow recuperation, awaiting appt. with oncologist to determine if any additional treatment, screening, etc..
08/17/04 Oncologist appt....recomends more scans, CT bone, MRI, Pet etc. Also recomends one round of chemo...

9/17/o4 Good news, scans are all clear..NO evidence of disease detected...hopeful it remains that way. Remaining cautious tho, one more MRI to go and some adjuvant chemo....so waiting, healing, still doing med. appts for awhile. Then regular xrays ea. 3 mos.

Whoops...detour, the MRI/spine turned up a small lesion of unknown type. Off to the orthopedic specs. to investigate, get options. Chemo delayed briefly pending opinion from ortho guys.

Opinion is "not cancer" on spine...apparently just my arthritic joints...so, becomes a pain management issue..appt. made. On to adjuvant chemo on Monday. Finally.

Mon./10/27...o4 started adjuvant chemo finally; Taxotere first , then Cisplatin, I think...fatigued knocked me flat the 3rd day after...dozing, trying to catch my breath every time I move...sigh
Fri...emergency room, oxygen...Pneumonia-like inflammation of remaining lung...week of IV antibios and steroids...finally recovering, but...chemo ceased...end of that notion. Bad react. to taxotere. Now on to just screening scans for future. Continuing pain management consultations for back and surg. pain.

10/10/05 CT and PET scans; NED, clear, normal..1yr. out from treatment...cool.

2 yr. scans clear...wheww! SOB and easily fatigued tho, continues. Perm. I guess.