Hi there, sorry to join in on this post but my husband (having been through the operation ) this might help. He had the ct scan and then the pet scan and had half of the right lobe removed with keyhole robotic surgery. Whilst doing the surgery they took away 10 lymph nodes for biopsy.  Unfortunately cancer was found in one of those nodes. He was then referred to the oncology team for chemo (after he'd got over the operation) this consisted of 4 lots of chemo 3 weeks apart.  He didn't have to have the chemo as it was 'as a precaution ' but he wanted to give it a try. Unfortunately he was very ill after 2 sessions and they decided to stop it.  He is doing very well and we are just enjoying life.

i wish you well on your journeys, and if you have any questions I will be happy to help.

Thanks both for your lovely replies.

Monica - I am so pleased Dave is feeling well - it seems like things are on the up. When will they test his cells again? 

Ahh ok - we have never had any staging and only had cancer confirmed last week by the respiratory team. At no point as there been any cancer nurse or anyone from oncology contact him or be at any appointments. He has seen 2 x respiratory appointments and the next one will be with the surgeron (which could be a couple of weeks as I believe she is based at a hospital in Oxford)

Homebird thanks so much for the info. Can I ask how your husband found the surgery and recovery? Dad is 81 so I do worry how it would be for him. Did the PET show any sign of spread or can they only tell about the nodes in surgery? Was his tumour very large (sorry for all the questions). Dad is having another CT scan to show if any change since the last one but I thought they said the biopsy and PET would show spread (which hasnt so far) but now I think that they are saying surgery will confirm. Sorry your husband was so ill with the chemo, I hope he is well now. 

Thanks both for the support x

Hi there. In answer to your questions.

my husband is 72 and his cancer was caught early. He had an MRI scan for his heart and they found a small shadow on his lung. The PET scan showed no sign of cancer anywhere else.

The surgery was okay and he should have been home in 4 days but ended up 6 days. Once he got home he did short walks to begin and then gradually increased. He was uncomfortable after the operation but once all the tubes and drains were removed he was okay. The operation was on 8th June and the follow up appointment with the surgeon was 3rd July. It was then we were told it was in 1 lymph node out of the 10 taken during surgery. We were then given an appointment with the Oncology team and the appointment was 19th July.  If cancer had not been found in the lymph node then I don't think that we would have seen Oncology at all.

My husbands cancer was in the lower right lobe but to get a good margin they took  one and a half lobes.

Different hospitals work differently but I would think that you have quite a while before you see anyone from Oncology.

Stay strong and always think positive. Anything I can help with please ask, and make sure you look after yourself as well.

Thanks so much for the message.

Dad has seen the surgeon today and due to having COPD there is a little more risk to his breathing etc. It doesnt look to of spread and is still small but there is some funny sausage shape of inflammation which has puzzled everyone. He could have chemo but that may not even work or be appropriate so surgery really is the best chance for him. She would attempt keyhole and said he would be in for 5/6 days but looking at a 6-8 week recovery period (and no further treatment needed after)

As scary as surgery is I do really think its the best option for him - I know I will be so worried though. I guess as things stand the fact it hasnt spread, can be cut out and wont need further treatment is about as positive as things can get.

Looks like it could be scheduled for around the 12th Feb.

As a side note can you believe me dad (81) alongside my mum (71) look after my 2 kids (5 and 2) full time for us so we can work. Absolutely amazing and I am sure something that helps to keep them going.

xx

Hi there, that sounds good news. Is the hospital near to where you live? My husband was in London and they had accommodation which was free for the first night and then payable nightly. I stayed in the accommodation so was at his bedside from 8.30am till 9 pm. I would have been spending 4 hours a day traveling if I hadn't done this. Once he came home he gradually got stronger and the walking helped build him up.  However it was in the summer. I wish you all the best and glad that you don't have to wait too long before the operation. Stay positive, and take care.

Thanks homebird. Its about 1 hour away so was planning on maybe staying there with my mum a couple of nights. Just need to juggle the kids and school runs. If mum gets offered somewhere to stay that would be fab but no idea if that will be the case.

Did he have a lot of pain post op? Do you think recovery took the 6-8 weeks? 

Hi  I am almost six years on from my first diagnosìs of lung cancer. Ensure the surgeon is a proven specialist in this field of medicine. I had open surgery to remove an Adenocarcinoma.The op took place on Wednesday and I went home on Sunday evening!!  I returned to work 8 weeks later!!  n.b.   Life does NOT end with a diagnosis of lung cancer  AND you do not know for certain if  cancer will be diagnosed!!!

Good luck  and keep chatting to people.

MacMiĺlàn are fantastic! give the a tinkle!!??

Mikee

Hi there, there was a little bit of discomfort after the operation but never any major pain. Although obviously you are on oral painkillers so that helps an awful lot. He was walking around and getting himself washed and dressed 3 days after the operation. About 2 weeks after the operation the nurse at our doctors took the stitches out where the drain had been and then we saw the specialist 2 weeks after that.

Hi Monica,

How are things? Did you have your follow up on 28th? x

Hi LD

How lovely to hear from you-you've made my day!

Dave is doing really well. The cancer is no longer visible on the scan and he just has to wait now to start radiotherapy.

We get married February 20th [I know! We've only been together 19 years but just never got round to it!] and he'll start the radiotherapy after that-5 days a week for 4 weeks. He's still a bit tired and breathless but we are cautiously optimistic, though definitely not counting any chickens.

How about your Dad? Has his surgery date of the 12th been confirmed yet?

xx