Few Questions Regarding My Upcoming Lung Surgery

Hello everyone.

I wonder if you could tell me, anybody out there, is there a difference bertween a resection and a lobe being taken out, or is the same thing? I was wondering why they don't do like they do with breast cancer now, a lumpectomy. Why do they take the entire lobe?
Are there any times, they don"t and if so, for what reasons? My surgeon recommended taking the total lobe out. I have a 2cm lesion in upper left lobe and nothing but that lit up on the Pet Scan. Of course, I didn't think to ask him this question when I was there. There is just so much info you need to learn, and so many questions you have and all in such a short time, when you find out you have this ugly monster of cancer. Its overwhelming.

My second question is has anyone on the board used selenium for their lung cancer?

Thank you all for caring.
Joyce Upstate NY

Joyce -
I had lung cancer surgery in February 2002. The PetScan lit up one tumor in the middle lobe of my right lung and the surgeon was going to remove the entire lobe. When he did the surgery, he found another tumor that he described as "kissing" the tumor that lit up. It was in the upper lobe. Because of my poor pulmonary function tests (long time smoker, emphysems, etc.), he could only do a resection of the upper lobe. He could not remove the upper lobe in total and expect me to be able to breathe.

Because of the resection (total removal of the lobe is the only way to get rid of all the cancer) my surgeon recommended chemotherapy for me. That worked for about 1 year but I have had elevated CEA's since then and, clearly, a return of the cancer. I have had 2 more rounds of chemo and am now on Tarceva but don't know if it is working for me yet.

I truly believe I would be cancer free right now had the tumor not moved (ever so slightly) into the upper lobe.

My oncologist also told me that total removal is best and we always worry about the cancer coming back when the surgeon has to do a resection.

Your situation sounds ideal to me if you have to have lung cancer. Best of luck during your surgery and your recovery. I was able to get off oxygen about 2 weeks after surgery but after the second session of chemotherapy, I had a pneumonia and have had to be on oxygen 24/7 since. A small price to pay to still be on this great earth though. Keep us informed...

dotdot

I have read many articles and have seen their commercials on tv however I was blown away by the response I received upon calling. You see my father in-law just started his own business so he has no health insurance not even Medicaid or Medicare and has worked all his life never once taking a free hand out from our government. The very same government we pay taxes to now. He needs treatment for his lung cancer which is spreading. He is a good man but this cancer treatment of america answer was for us to seek treatment else where a federally funded hospital. I guess being poor makes the difference in-between life and death this is a man that we love and to hear the answer I received was a slap in the face. I believe when this cancer treatment center puts their commercials on tv they should include only call if you’re wealthy because that is what it boils down to. I am happy to hear all of your success stories. You are truly blessed. Good luck to all speedy

I am thankful for people like yourself who are willing to share their experiences witha newbie like me.
I want you to know you were in my prayers tonight. And you will in my future prayer, as well.
With holy hope, your current problem with your blood will resolve. It can happen ya know.
Think yummie thoughts, dotdot.
God Bless,
Joyce from Upstate NY

I had two bilateral clamshell thoracotomies because of metatases to both lung. I only had wedger resections. I don't have lung cancer but uterine cancer that spread to my lungs. I was lucky they did not remove any of my lobes and I had 5 between both lungs. I do have less lung capacity now. I have 5 more that are very tiny but I was on an aromatase inhibitor and it stopped the growth for my type of cancer.

Hi,

I just read about your lung CA. I had a very small spot on my upper right lobe and they removed the whole lobe, May 31, 2002. THey say that is our best chance of survivng this disease. I wanted to address the selenium question. I am in a clinical trial right now which involves taking selenium every day. They think it may keep lung cancer from returning (this is only in it's earliest stage). I will be in the trial for 3 years. I am hoping it helps all of us fight this terrible disease.I wish you the best of luck and I pray no lymph nodes are involved. Write to me anytime.
Cindy

I'm so bummed out tonight. I go for a bone scan tomorrow and another cat of lung.
Im praying the bone scan is ok.
Were your lymph nodes involved when you had your surgery?
How much silenium do you take. I have read, but this was a long time ago, and way before I learned I have lung ca, I think it was about 1000 mcg a day. Please let me know. I want to start taking it.
Thank you so much,
Joyce from Upstate NY

Hi Joyce,

So sorry to hear about your lung CA. My lymph nodes were not invovled. I had the bone scan before surgery and also a liver biopsy. They saw a spot on my liver, but found out that it was hyperplasia which is a pre-cancerous condition they think from me taking hormones. Anyway, they have me on a much smaller dose of selenium than 1000 mcg. I take 200 mcg. every morning. I read up on selenium and it can be very deadly in large doses, so don't take too much. You might want to wait until the surgery is over to start taking it. It can cause hair loss and stomach problems. I had a little trouble at first, but now my body seems to be taking to it.

Remember to stay strong and positive. I never once thought I would not make it. We need survivors like you to help us in the fight against lung cancer. I am praying for you and I am here to talk to anytime.

Hugs and Prayers,
Cindy

Hi Joyce,

Just checking to see how you are doing? Hope you are o.k. Have you had your bone can and CT scan yet? Hang in there and know I am thinking of you.

Cindy

Cindy,
You can't imagine how much your note meant to me as I just read it
I called my chest surgeon office today and asked for his nurse and was given her answering machine, three times. She never called back!
At 3pm I called again and asked the receptionist if my doc was in that office or in another office today and was told ... the other one and she gave me the phone number.
Talked to the secretary there and she said reports were not received, altho the hospital techs said they would be done today. I have to wait until Monday now and as you know, it's really really hard when you know someone, somewhere knows and you don't.
Anyway, Cindy, parked at a red light yesterday between scans I had two hours to kill, I was rearended, very hard. I was semi blacked out for about ten seconds and when I came around it was too late, my car was barreling into the one in front of me. If you watch the weather, we in Upstate are getting lots of rain. So, she said she skidded. I have a headache and my neck is hurting too but havent had time today to go to the doctor. So, the two hours between scans turned out to two hours on the road in a rainstorm and I had to turn back,(was only two blocks away from the hospita), and go for the bone scan! Right now I have to laugh. I guess God had an alternate agenda for me yesterday so I would have my mind on something else and stop being so jittery about the tests!
Hope you have a good weekend.
I'll be thinking a lot .... keeping it as best I can on good thoughts!
Joyce