On Feb 05, 2013 3:09 AM geranymo wrote:
I have a couple of post please read them all. I don't know what to feel and I'm trying to keep my family in good spirits. If after reading my previous post someone out there can relate to what I'm going through and respond I would appreciate it. Thank You in advance.
I think the first thing I did was ask my doctor for a prescription for xanax. I didn't and don't take it every day, only occaisionally when I get that anxious feeling about an upcoming ct scan. But, back in the beginning when all I could think of was "cancer cancer cancer" it helped me tremendously. I was more relaxed while being able to go on living during the "waiting" period of tests. You don't say what type of surgery you're having. I'm going to guess and say that you're having a lobectomy. I'm here to tell you I've been there, and that I was totally caught by surprise at how well pain management was handled. It actually took until the 3rd biopsy for me to even get a diagnosis of cancer. They kept telling me there were no signs of cancer. But, since I had already had a wedge resection (which finally gave the diagnosis) there was too much scar tissue to do another one. So I had to have a more radical approach, and have the huge scars to prove it. It was not as easy as the wedge resection, which is probably what you'll have. But I can tell you with both procedures, the drain tube under my boob is the area that hurt the most, and the one that sometimes to this day gives me trouble. (like wearing a bra)
I can relate to what you are going through, and believe it or not so can every one of us lung cancer patients. You've got us here to cheer you on, answer your questions, and just generally keep you in good spirits!!
We were all scared out of our wits. My own father died of lung cancer 1 week shy of a year from his diagnosis. So, I thought I too, had the same outcome. Well, that was 1989, and my dad had small cell lung cancer, not non small cell lung cancer. A HUGE difference.
Anyway, I'm just guessing you'll have a lobectomy, but you may just have a wedge resection, which means they only take out the tumor. Whatever you have done, lol, I've been through it because I've had both. So, let me know if you have any questions.
Take care, and think about getting something for anxiety, you don't need anti-depresents, just something for when you feel like you need to just relax from the stress of this whole mess.
Byrd