Hi Ruth, 

I noticed you haven't had a reply to this post yet so I just thought I would make you aware of the surgery section we have for lung cancer on our website. I hope this helps you to prepare but if you'd like to talk things through with someone then do give our cancer nurses a call. They're available on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.

Hopefully some of our ladies will pop by soon to share their recommendations for post op bras as well.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Ruth,

I’m in a similar situation to you. I’m 51 and only smoked a bit while at uni 30 years  ago. Had my appointment yesterday after having the tests and scans. I’ve got two cancerous tumours in my left lung. A large one in the upper lobe and a tiny one in the lower lobe. They couldn’t diagnose the type of cancer it is from the brochoscpy so I will have a biopsy followed by a pneumonectomy ( hmmm spell check doesn’t know that word!) OR an upper left lobectomy plus removal of the small lesion, OR just the biopsy in the one operation. I won’t know what the surgeon has done until I wake up. This is because it might be a secondary cancer ( even though nothing else shows up on PET or my CT head and neck scan).

This is very surreal as two months ago I felt fine as was at the gym and a few weeks ago I was told I just had “proper flu” and would have to sit it out! 

Not sure about bras yet but please share any tips, as will I, and really good luck with your operation and recovery.

Best wishes

Joy

Hi Joy

I’m sorry that you’re going through this too. It doesn’t seem fair does it. I just keep reminding myself I’m lucky they picked it up now and not at a later stage. I had no symptoms whatsoever and it was picked up by chance on a heart scan I’d had for an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation). Even then they told me it was unlikely to be cancer and likely to be scarring, infection or a benign tumour. I then had a full body CT scan, then a PET scan, then a CT assusted biopsy which confirmed it was mucinous adenocarcinoa, then a brain MRI. It’s been an anxious 2 months of tests and waiting for results...

I got a call yesterday with a date for surgery, 10th December and have my pre assessment tomorrow. It’s not with the surgeon I met on Friday but with another surgeon in the team, hopefully I’ll meet her before the op. Have you got a date for your surgery?

Please do keep in touch and let me know how you get on.

I’ll let you know if the front zip up bras are any good, I suspect they may rub at the side. I got a couple of support vest tops too but I got bigger sizes for ease of putting on so they’re not really supportive at all but that’s the least of my worries at the mo!

Take care

Ruth

Hi Ruth,

I’ve just heard I’ve got my appointment with the surgeon on the 10th and the operation on 12th so we are nearly at the same time. Of course I don’t know 100% she can proceed with the removal but I’ve got everything crossed! Interesting that we both have a female surgeon.

My big tumour is quite large -  8cms at its widest/longest part and, depending on how aggressive it is, it’s been there a while. Hard to get your head around. I have a horrible cough now when I’ve been moving about so I’m doing a lot of sitting around and feel like I’m on pause, waiting for my life to carry on!

Good news that yours was picked up on a scan. I presume your atrial fibrillation won’t be affected by all this? Its amazing what they do.

Maybe we should get surgical bras for bc reconstruction patients? Ask tomorrow and let me know what they say. I’m a 36D and can probably do ok with just a vest for a bit.

I am wishing you the best of all possible luck. I will definitely stay in touch and you too.

Joy x

Hi, that’s good you’ve got a date quickly and yes interesting we both have female surgeons. My one is pregnant and I must admit I’ve been slightly concerned, without meaning to sound sexist, about ‘baby brain’, morning sickness or if she takes unwell... but she wouldn’t be allowed to work unless she was able and there are ‘gold standards’ for procedures everyone needs to follow.

Mine is 3.6cm and they said they couldn’t tell how long I’d had it or how quickly it was growing. Apparently they do further tests when they’ve removed it and also as part of the procedure take samples from your glands to test and the outcomes determine if you need chemo post op...

One of the bras I got is a post surgery one from M&S, it has pockets for prosthetics.

I’m out of AF due to the drugs that cardioverted me and am back into sinus rhythm although my heart rate is now on the low side; they didn’t seem concerned but have said it’s highly likely I’ll go back into AF after the op.  Longer term plan is ablation but this has taken a back seat due to the lung cancer. I’ve not had any caffeine or alcohol for over 3 months now in case that was making things worse.  I’d never been in hospital overnight until all this started a few months ago and had never heard most of the medical terms I’m now so familiar with.

I know what you mean about feeling life is on hold, I finished my contract on 10th Oct with plans for holidays etc, only to receive the call on the 11th to say they’d seen a shadow on my CT angiogram, so all plans went out the window and this has taken over. My partner has been great and he has been at every appointment with me, and been with me when I’ve been waiting on calls, and my sister has been brilliant too. I didn’t tell many friends what was going on until the diagnosis was confirmed as I didn’t want to scare monger or have the pressure of replying to texts etc. Luckily they’ve all since understood why I pulled out of nights out etc...

If I don’t speak you you before, Hope next week goes well for you too and we can catch up afterwards.

Ruth x

Hi Ruth,

I’m sure you don’t need to worry about the surgeon although It’s amazing how in this situation your mind takes you to these places of worry.

I’m so pleased to hear you’ve got a fully supportive partner. Me too.

I know what you mean about limiting the number of people who know what’s going on. I’m pretty unwell with my symptoms as well so I’m keeping a very low profile!

Hope today is positive for you and best of luck for Tuesday.

Joy x

Hi Joy

I had my pre assessment yesterday with a really lovely nurse specialist who was very patient and talked me through my many questions.  She advised no bras for a couple of weeks so I’ve ordered some support vests from M&S that I’ll pick up today. I also went to a ‘surgery school’ where they (Macmillan rep, dietician, physio, psychologist, anaesthetist, surgeon) talk you through general prep for operations and recovery/rehabilitation. They key messages were around keeping active/mobile, healthy diet, doing breathing exercises and preparing your mind.

All the best to you for Tuesday and Thursday.

Let me know how you get on, and I’ll let you know about me too.

Best wishes

Ruth x

Hi again, so sorry to hear you are feeling so lousy, it must be really tough. Just think though, this time next week you’ll have had your surgery (whichever option they decide) and you’ll hopefully be on the road to feeling better.... x

PS Not sure if you’re one for trashy TV but I’ve been watching Love Island Australia and Love Island USA on ITV hub for a bit of light relief... Hope I’ve not gone down in your estimation too much ;-)

Ha ha, no not at all... I’ll definitely partake of a bit of that!

I’m just lying here trying not to move and listening to endless talk radio about the general election so I need some light relief! 

Got to go and have my gel nails soaked off this afternoon as I don’t think you are allowed nail varnish for the operation? Dreading that I might just cough the whole time I’m there.My husband is going to wait in the car in case I have to abort the mission!  I am slowly but surely de glamourising as I’ve now missed a hair appointment and have to wear sanitary towels because of the coughing fits,,,,! Fabulous!

J x