melissa65

I'm not quite sure yet. I just joined up to this site and learning my around

Hi Melissa 65, I see that you have gotten some very good responses. I'd just like to add that I was first diagnosed with stage IV non small cell carcinoma. They eventually realized that it was actually stage IIIA, even though it has matastisized. I am currently in radiation & chemo treatment and have a 30% chance of being completely cancer free.

The point is you never know what is going to happen with cancer. I have heard some amazing stories on this site and hope to hear some good news from you. Just hang in there and I hope you will stick with this site. The people here are hands down my best support. Hugs.

Hi Melissa 65,

I think I posted this in the wrong place. Sorry.

I was diagnosed with stage 4 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer about 4 years ago with a prognosis of about 8 months, and I am presently in remission. My oncologist recently told me that I out-lived my expiration date by about 4 times! I know how scary having a cancer diagnosis can be. Most things that you read on line or in books about the prognosis are from outdated materials. Research is being done all the time, and new treatment gives us some better chances to live longer. So stay hopeful and positive. Don't focus to much on the prognosis.

WhatNext is a great place to "talk" to others who have gone through things you are going through and to help support you during your journey with cancer.

Do you have a treatment plan yet? If not, that is probably what your oncologist is working on now. The waiting and worrying (the unknown) is probably the worst part of the whole process. Your oncologist may be doing some genetic mutation testing on your tumor to see what treatment would be best for you. Those tests do take some time to get results, but they are worth it to know if a specific drug would work for you that might have less side effects. I did not have the genetic mutation that there was a drug for. I also could not have radiation on my tumor in the lung. But, I was lucky enough to be able to have my lower lobe removed openly and then have the normal chemotherapy protocol. During my waiting period, I went through all sorts of scans and tests, saw many different specialists, talking about being on a trial drug, etc. It was about 3 months from diagnosis to the beginning of treatment, and I was getting pretty nervous about it.

As for the anxiety and depression, you might mention it to your doctor. It is not uncommon to experience this and he/she will be able to help you with it. I found that taking a walk in nature, listening to soft music, and enjoying pets are helpful to calm me down when I get nervous and scared. You need to eat well and keep strong to have the strength to fight the battle with cancer. It will take a lot out of you, but you can make it with your cancer team's help and your fortitude. Being positive and hopeful will boost your fighting spirit to win the battle.

Good luck to you. Keep us posted and let us know how we can help you.

--Journey

Hello and welcome, we are happy to have you with us. Please feel free to join in the conversations. Here is a link to our cancer dx page for your type of cancer. Take a look at it to get you started on some information. You will notice at the bottom of that page 4 of our active users who have had that journey already, you may wish to contact them for their experience and wisdom. Also, I encourage you to go to the questions page now by clicking on the questions tab at the top of the page and post what is the most pressing issue you have right now. This will introduce you to the community and get you started on the help you need right now.

https://www.whatnext.com/conditions/cancer/lung-cancer

There are also subtypes listed on this page to narrow down the type of cancer to match your dx.

Also, if you can take a few minutes and fill in some details of your journey so far, it will help others as they try to answer questions for you, it also helps others as they search through the data base to find someone like themselves. Confirming your email will allow you to receive updates and notices from the site when someone answers your questions or writes on your wall.

Thanks for being with us and let me know if I can help you find any information on the site. After you have an opportunity to look the site over and see what great things there are here, we encourage you to invite your friends, family or anyone you know that may be helped by the connections on WhatNext to join the site also. Just click this link to invite them to join. http://www.whatnext.com/recruit-a-friend

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GregP 3X Survivor

Hi Melissa,
I have non-small cell lung cancer so it is a little different from what you have, but i can help answer general questions you might have. It is really scary to get a cancer diagnosis, but i can vouch that it isn't the death sentence it once was.

Please let us know how we can help you! We will go with you every step of the way.

Hi Melissa,

Don't blame yourself. Lung cancer is a disease and anyone can get it. I was diagnosed on November 12, 2012 and have had good luck so far. But, I would like to know a couple of things about your situation.
1) Have you only gotten one opinion?
2) Where are you located? Are you close to a major teaching hospital?

Let me know these things so I can help!

Best,

Greensmythe ( April)

Welcome to the WhatNext family! The WhatNext family is made up of people like you who are looking for help or looking to help others. To help you along your journey the WhatNext family has put together a Beginner's Guide to Cancer that I highly recommend you check-out here: http://bit.ly/10BQKCi. Also, please do not hesitate to reach out to others or ask for help.

Wishing you the best.

David
Founder, WhatNexter