Issue on Recent CT Scan

[DenaliBlues]

Thanks for sharing the verdict@Reciprocity. Damn, I know this was not the news you were hoping for. And, as someone who’s gone thru radiation, I’m sorry that you’ll have to go through that. But it’s great news that the tumor is small and localized. The outcomes for lung cancer that is treated early are really good. It also sounds like you’ve got a great attitude and a lot of support. That cancer doesn’t stand a chance. Go kick some butt! 

[Minnie Mouse]

I'm so very sorry about your diagnosis.  And yes, I'm confident you will beat this.  Stage 1 (no spread to lymph nodes) and less than half an inch nodule size which was caught early due to your annual LDCT scan is very reassuring for a great outcome. 

 

The phrase "lit up like a Christmas tree" is very common here in the USA when describing a PET scan result.  I'm surprised the Pulmonologist didn't refer you to an Oncologist for decision making but I will assume that is just the way it is handled in Canada.  Hopefully you will be given a pulmonary function test to determine your lung health prior to the start of treatment.  

 

I wish you peace in your journey as you travel this well worn very doable path to total healing.  

[GonSo]

Not the outcome you hoped to receive. Glad it is detected early, small and still local. Reason for an optimistic approach.

 

Doctors and communication; often an issue...

 

 

[Cbdave]

Gday

Not happy you have a cancer….

But I’m happy that it has been found early enough to make treatment more probable to have you in full remission.

Radiation has come in leaps and bounds over the last 20 years. The programs and algorithms that aim them is so good. 
Im not wishing you luck cause you don’t need it. Your on a winner.

 

[SD2026]

i'm sorry it's not the outcome you/we all hoped for @Reciprocity It is good it has been detected early and you have a positive attitude to fight this although I'm sure it's still a shock for you, maybe it hasn't sunk in yet but you are strong enough to fight it. 

 

Thank you for updating us.

[QuittingGirl]

So sorry about that Reci, but the good thing is that its caught early and it's small.  You can definitely beat this as many other people have as well!  We will all keep positive thoughts for you!! When is your first threatment?

[Doreensfree]

Aww Reci this sucks 

Not the result we all wanted for you 

But on the good side it does sound positive 

Its small and contained 

You are strong and with a positive attitude , you’ll wack  this thing 

Sending love  Dear Friend

[Reciprocity]

4 hours ago, QuittingGirl said:

So sorry about that Reci, but the good thing is that its caught early and it's small.  You can definitely beat this as many other people have as well!  We will all keep positive thoughts for you!! When is your first threatment?

Don't know yet as my case will be transferred to an Oncology Doctor somewhere within our Regional Healtcare system. I should hear from someone fairly soo I expect. I hope the treatments will be at my local hospital but I may have to travel to another in the Region of Niagara depending on the workloads at various hospitals I suppose.

 

Hope to know more next week possibly, whenever they get it sorted out as to where I'm going for treatment.

[johnny5]

I'm sorry to hear this, Reci, but having it detected early and in such a small size is a positive.  I'm cofident you will fight through this.

[catlover]

Hi Reci, I’m also Sorry to hear this news, but glad it’s caught early. Hoping treatment will start real soon, and recovery is swift.

take care.

[Reciprocity]

Thanks for all your well wishes my friends; I appreciate the support very much as I prepare to fight this diagnosis. I'm of the same mind as all of you that it's been caught early and is pretty small so with todays technology, I'm confident I'll beat it 

 

I'll employ some of the same mental strategies that I did when I quit smoking ... One day at a time; don't look too far ahead. Slow & steady will get me there

[Nancy]

14 hours ago, Reciprocity said:

Thanks for all your well wishes my friends; I appreciate the support very much as I prepare to fight this diagnosis. I'm of the same mind as all of you that it's been caught early and is pretty small so with todays technology, I'm confident I'll beat it 

 

I'll employ some of the same mental strategies that I did when I quit smoking ... One day at a time; don't look too far ahead. Slow & steady will get me there

Your positive attitude and our thoughts and prayers will carry you through this, Reci!  You will beat this!

[Minnie Mouse]

[Stewbum]

Reci.

As everyone has already piped in thank goodness you were vigilant with your annual tests and were able to catch this early. Keeping positive and as you said a day at a time. Yes the technology has come a long way and with your attitude I have no doubt you will do well and beat this thing. 

[Reciprocity]

Have an initial appointment next Tuesday with the Oncology Dr. that will be handling my case. Unfortuanly it will be at a Cancer Centre in another town instead of at the hospital where I live so that means more travel time there and back for each visit. I suppose beggars can't be choosers though so I will just be happy that I'm getting timely treatment. I'll see what the plan is Tuesday.

[QuittingGirl]

Good luck Reci, please keep us posted!

[catlover]

Best wishes, glad to hear they are dealing quickly with it.

[Doreensfree]

Try and think it’s a positive move 

Please keep us updated

They have been very quick and on the ball getting you treated 

Hugs

[SD2026]

I hope all goes well tomorrow @Reciprocity

[Doreensfree]

Yes … 

Wishing you a good appointment tomorrow 

Hugs

[Reciprocity]

My appointment yesterday with the Oncology team that will be handling my case went well. It was longer than I had anticipated as they really dig deep into your medical history. They also gave me information of how to access the online communication tool called MyChart. It's a way both patient & medical team can communicate between visits and for the administrators to communicate upcoming appointment details.

 

Most of the time was spent with the nurse detailing my entire medical history then I had to wait awhile for the Doctor. He came in and basically said he agreed with the pulmonogist at the lung clinic that radiation treatment would be the best route for my situation and would have the least impact in terms of side effects etc. He then explained the process and reviewed possible side effects I might experience as a result of the treatment; the most common one being acute exhaustion. There were a number of others as well, just like there are when we quit smoking. There's plenty of possible symptoms we may experience when we quit but we don't experience them all normally.  

 

The next steps are; I will be contacted with an appointment date for what they call a "mapping session". This is a process where they will map on my chest exactly where the cancerous nodule is in my upper left lung that they want to zap with eacch radiation session. They will apparently use a number of precise measurements that will be fed into the radiation gizmo so it knows where to zap me. It will result in a series of three tatoos on me. One on each side and one in the center of my chest. After that's done they will schedule 10 sessions of radiation for me over roughly a month's time. They schedule each session a few days apart so the patient has time to recover before the next session in case they're experiencing negative effects. Each session will be about 30 mins. but only about 10 mins of that time will be actually getting zapped. I guess the balance of the time is ensuring they're zapping the correct spot? The Doc said he's pretty confident these sessions will do the trick in ridding me of this issue (75-80% was his guess). He also said he wanted to schedule a brain MIR for me at some point. That surprised me so I asked the reason for that. He said just a precaution and to establish a base starting point in case anything changed in future. He explained that often people with lung cancer find that it spreads to the brain. He said it would not at all be likely in my case but they want to just make sure of that and have that as part of my future medical file.

 

So, now waiting to hear when my "mapping" appointment will be. All the appointments will be in this same town that's about a 45 minute drive from where I live. No big deal I just hope they schedule my appointments around rush hour times because there's only 1 main highway that goes there and it will be jammed at rush hour times.

[Paul723]

It would be good to have a driver for the last couple of weeks of your treatment.  It will make you tired.  I call my wife's dot tattoos "badass".  MyChart is also a good place to ask questions and give feedback as your treatment progresses.  Good luck.

[QuittingGirl]

Good luck Reci, we are all pulling for you and giving you positive and good thoughts!!   I use My Chart with my doctors and it's very good and definitely user friendly. I usually get the results of my tests on there before my doctor's office even calls me.

[Doreensfree]

The doctor sounded very positive they will zap it gone 

Thank you for the great update explaining 

all they intend to do going forward 

Like quitting .. One day at a time 

We are all with you on your next journey 

Take Care

[johnny5]

Wishing you the best, Reci.  Thank you for sharing what you are going through and I am glad the doctor sounds positive about the direction things are going in.

 

Take care of yourself.