Hi Ray 

i had a pet scan in February this year which showed a small spot on my left lung (I was 60 in June this year).  In May I had the lower lobe of my left lung removed and I was in hospital for a week.  It proved to be a adenocarcinoma (non small cell) tumour.  I have had a 6 week check and everything was fine, going for 3 month check next month.

i made a very good recovery from the surgery and was up walking round next day.  Pain relief was given by the hospital and by my GP on my return home.

i was given a comprehensive list of dos and donts (no hoovering or carrying heavy shopping bags etc).  Support from my cancer nurse at GP surgery was also excellent.  My scar (it wasn't keyhole surgery) runs from under my left shoulder blade around my ribs (about 10 inches) and in 4 months has healed well and is fading away.  My husband (on advisement from nurse) applies sudocreme twice a day which is very soothing.  The worse part is the nagging pain in ribs but I take my pain killers and can now do a lot more things.  I had a list of things I wanted to do (I didn't call them goals ) like walking the dog, going round asda, riding in the car, walking along the road.  These are getting ticked off one by one, each meaning my recovery has moved on.

i wish your wife well and hope her outcome is as positive as mine.  i know how my husband and I felt when I was diagnosed and I really feel for you both.  It is hard on spouses too.  I also wrote down any questions as when you go in to see the consultant a brain fog comes down.  It helped having a list (how long hospital stay, where will the scar be, what happens next) to help you remember what you want to ask.  Also making notes what the replies are too. I found everyone was happy to help and was given phone numbers to ring for advice.

i hope this helps a little

vivie

hi ray t was diagnosed with nsclc in october last year.iam 65 year old woman.the tumour was 5cm in my left lung.i had 6 treatments of chemo to reduce the tumour,it went from 5cm to 2 cm.i had a lobectomy in march this year by keyhole surgery.had an xray in june all seems okay.have to have checkup every three months.hope everything goes well with your wife.let us know how things go.i should also add that the tumour was confined to the lung with no spread anywhere.kate.

Hi Ray,

I am 55. My tumour was 8cm (non small like your wifes) but they were happy to remove it (whole lobe of lung) with surgery (it had also spread to one lymph node). I will be having Chemo and radio therapy soon to kill off any cells that may have tried to spread.. From final diagnosis (after pett scan etc) to surgery was about 6 weeks. They are happy they have removed it all, so at the moment my treatment is going well and they say the treatment is with a view to 'curative intent' (they will not use the word cure, but thats what it means). I was told they might have to remove a rib if it had spread to there but would not know until I was on the operating table (thankfully ribs not affected). With your wifes only being 4cm I am unsure why they would not operate. I was told that mine was operable as I was in otherwise good health ( I am a non smoker) and it was not near any other vital organs or large blood vessels. Obviously everyone is different. I know its a cliche but stay positive. My family being positive around me has given me great strength. Take Care