Mike, we are so sorry to learn of your health problems, but it’s good that you sought out advice and testing from health care professionals. They can provide you with guidance and help you through the experience of living with cancer. when one of the waves of pain drove me to my knees. My mother is 70 yrs old. COVID-19 vaccination for people with lung cancer; Lung surgery and coronavirus; Lung cancer diagnosis and coronavirus; Chemotherapy and Coronavirus; Coronavirus, COVID-19 and lung cancer; Will writing service; Shielding Advice; Treatment advice I have never been the type to be a hypochondriac. Beth’s mysterious respiratory symptoms and a stubborn “walking pneumonia” led her to the hospital and a diagnosis of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. It’s surprising and I’m left wondering where this came from… it’s encouraging to know others have gone through it. 1. Thank you ! Felicia felt a bad cold coming on and decided to go to urgent care. My boyfriend Nick died June 22, 2009 from a blood clot – Stage 4 Adenocarcinoma spread to his spine and compressed his nerves, leaving him unable to walk, even after emergency surgery. Could you, please share more, about the type and size of tumor you had and the treatment used as well as a treatment facility? I have COPD but I always am equal to or beat (somehow!) 4  Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer I ended up at an after-hours clinic. Jennifer was a lifelong athlete but suddenly was feeling run down and winded. Susie Barton. They have the power to support those who are now engaged in their battles as well as confirm successes, however they are measured. My incision is on my back, how long should I have pain? document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(e); He was a non-smoker, 33 years old and had pneumonia as a child too– so badly that the doctors had already gotten his mom to sign the organ donor paperwork. my nonsmoking peers on all breathing tests on a bimonthly basis. I wish the person that commented awhile ago that was a pancoast tumor survivor left a way to contact them? I’m 30 a mum of 3 and a smoker . Sue's lung cancer story. Just under 3 years ago, I realised my heartbeat was irregular. How bad it is. Back in 2007, I was burning the candle at both ends. “I was shocked,” Donaldson says. Cooking, cleaning, gardening, walking my dog, taking me to treatments, helping me regain my strength and continuing to honor me with their love and affection. “Better safe than sorry” is a good rule to follow. I have been diagnosed with COPD recently and got very sick with viral infection in the lungs thought I was dieing so I quit smoking right away but now 8 days later I have having shortness of breath and Pain in the upper right are of my chest right below my Peck hurts more when breathing deeply or cough been extremely run down and have lost about 5 to 10 pounds I have been the er several times and I keep having some kinda infection it seems the x-ray show some information but that’s it . Make an appointment soon and talk to him or her about these symptoms to get checked out. He sent me for another MRI that afternoon. But she started having shortness of breath and tired all the time and pain off and on all in her right side. Having these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have lung cancer – they’re common and have many different causes. I’m just so scared to pay for a test that could possibly tell me I have Cancer that I can’t even afford (In ANY WAY! ) Whenever you think of lung cancer, the first thing you think of is a death sentence. Federal Tax ID #14-1935776, Lung Cancer Support Line (844) 835-4325 toll-free, Patient Educational Programs Review Committee, 155 East 55th Street | Suite 6E | New York, NY 10022. But ALWAYS it’s the WORST in the middle of the night. May she RIP. You know your body best and are your own best advocate for your health, so when something feels off, don’t be afraid to seek a second (or third, or fourth…) opinion. But most every night I wake up with tingling & numbness especially down my R arm into aforementioned fingers. CancerCare – (800-813-4673) is the leading national organization providing free, professional support services and information to help people manage the emotional, practical and financial challenges of cancer. My r lung collapsed 4 times, and finally, a cardiothoracic surgeon did a talc slurry and in short, glued my lung to my ribcage with scar tissue created by the slurry. I’m having similar pains as you describe. The Prevent Cancer Foundation is committed to Stop Cancer Before It Starts!® through our four pillars: I’m too busy to have cancer! Like many other lung cancer patients, Terri Conneran’s road to diagnosis did not follow a direct route. Thank you for sharing Laura’s story. I am 32 years old almost a year ago I had a CT scan that showed multiple lung nodules 1inch in diameter and some that’s ground glass. That doctor said — that is nerve pain. Katie’s story. Sometimes, lung cancer symptoms will only begin to develop as the cancer progresses. They did a great job. Can someone share with me. Thank you for sharing your journey. Hi If lung cancer has spread to the chest wall or caused swollen lymph nodes in the area, it … var e = document.createElement('script'); e.async = true; “Ten years earlier, I had been treated for stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma which recurred within 6 months and necessitated a stem-cell rescue, which did succeed. Never have I been basically convinced of something that I may not even have! After quitting my lungs recovered nicely and I started running 5 and 10k’s quite often and with ease. I thank God that he granted me this time on earth. Productive morning cough for 1 year. You may also consider getting a second opinion if you feel your concerns are not being addressed. Editor’s Note: Guest blogger Laura McCracken was a graphic designer in Dallas, Texas. “I am a former smoker, but I quit at age 24. I went to the doctor believing that it was either pneumonia or cancer. I’m a 40yr old female smoker have 4 kids and 1 grandchild and another on the way. He was 27 years old, and a non-smoker. He told me that I had a large tumor at the top of my right lung – called an apical tumor or Pancoast tumor. I’m worried sick .any advise or experience ? So I agreed to Lobectomy to remove the upper right lung and get it all. bboxInit2.push(function () { So blood test ,breathing test and PET scan all done with in a week of finding mass. She was surprised to find herself in the ICU with pulmonary edema, but the most shocking news came later – she had stage IV lung cancer. Luckily, because I was otherwise so healthy and young, I had a lot of fight and responded well to chemo. I have great hope that I can live a long time at my current condition, thanks to the great targeted therapies, but really wish I had insisted on better x-rays or scans sooner. I am 28 and otherwise healthy, smoking for 7 yrs now, I started productive morning cough six month ago which got little worst overtime it was 3 months ago that I first noticed blood during a cough i got scared kept it secret and waited for it to happen again meanwhile the pandemic was in its peak so I thought taking it easy will be a good idea but instead my symptoms got worst and stared noticing blood every other day the metallic taste of blood in my mouth was really unpleasant I visited my GP and after listening to my lungs he immediately sent me to ER I got tested for covid which was negative; several blood sample were taken which I still dont know the results, a chest X-ray was done on the same day and after that things got a bit complicated, the doctor considered my case urgent and right on next day a CT scan was scheduled, I was never told what was the result of the X-ray and why they wanted CT, I did my CT the next day and after the results came in i was told of possible cancer and for complete diagnosis I went for a biopsy and sputum testing which I am waiting on results, by now I am quite sure it is cancer and the doctors need time to complete their diagnosis and stage this thing in my lungs, I have still kept it a secret and am optimistically waiting for final results, it is already starting to change my life in an unexpected way I wish I would be able to deal with it. I have smoked cigarettes for 35 years. Blood worked showed nothing, breathing test was passed with above normal expectations but PET showed numerous spots…6 in all. Elizabeth. Last week my g.p called at 19:30 and said my xray shows a large shadow and bloodworks not quite right, that I require further investigations but had to be 6 weeks post antibiotics?? The symptoms of lung cancer may include: a cough or hoarse voice for 3 weeks or more.  Oncology social workers can help you cope with the emotional and practical challenges of cancer. All tests (done while I was still in surgery) on lymph nodes proved negative. Did you ever find out what was wrong? I opted in for your RSS feed as well. Seeking professional counseling is a strength and a good way to help you cope when you are feeling overwhelmed and attempting to adjust to a cancer diagnosis. This form of cancer can affect both men and women. Down my R arm into mostly index & middle fingers. We hope her story will continue to serve as inspiration for others on the importance of early detection for lung cancer. I am absolutely terrified. The tumor which had begun as the size of a large apple was shrunken to the size of a large prune. 4 weeks ago I was in severe pain in my left side, not breathing to well and stabbing pain in my shoulder. By sharing your stories and data, you will: ... Common symptoms reported by people with lung cancer. People with Stage 4 adenocarcinoma of the lung usually have smoked for 30 years, worked in a factory or been exposed to certain chemicals. This morning for the first time ever, I went to pick up a few things in the yard. It’s crazy for me to have told my dr of this strange feeling & how He insists it’s my C spine. For the entire… I’m really scared. There are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages of lung cancer, but many people with the condition eventually develop symptoms including: a persistent cough coughing up blood He also grew up in West Virginia around the coal mines, which may have put arsenic in the water, another possible contributor to lung cancer in young people. Since I “excused away” the symptoms, the cancer spread into the pleural space of my lungs and a couple of lymph nodes. Thanks to all those stories of strength and survival. I felt so tired and achy all of the time, so I stopped exercising because I didn’t have the energy. It had grown into the cluster of nerves called the Brachial Plexus, causing excruciating pain. All rights reserved. Would very much like to visit with other pancoast survival people. Now he uses his fitness platform to help others facing a cancer diagnosis. Try to keep that optimism at this stage of the process. Her condition was stable after surgery and chemotherapy, and she has gone on to raise over $100K for lung cancer research. Local American Cancer Society – Patient Navigator Program (Personal cancer guide) (800-227-2345) connects you with a patient navigator at a cancer treatment center. 20 Celebrities Who Have Suffered From Lung Cancer. Very sad lost faith in health care providers. Susan was a new mom when she was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1997. The charity says this can lead to symptoms such as weight gain, easy bruising, weakness, drowsiness, and fluid retention. Laura passed away in 2014 from related complications, seven years after her lung cancer diagnosis. Your email address will not be published. I hope I get a good response like you and be one of those 2 percent that will be cancer free. I think there is a lesson to be learned here. Keep us updated on what you find out. In addition to providing unique insight on what it’s like to battle and live with the disease, each story also provides reasons to be hopeful about the future of lung cancer research. she is 63 years old now. But just Something seems wrong. Thank you and I’m also praying for all those on here who is going through this and all those taking the journey with them. So, not every patient will cough up blood, be short,of breath sometimes symptoms are seemingly not related but your pcp should not dismiss you as men did. Not overweight. I am scared to death and feel I have no future, and right now I am in the dark. I wish my fate will be like u.They just started me with Tarceva as my first line of treatment a week ago. The doctor didn’t agree but she sent me for a chest x-ray anyway. It seemed to all spiral down after that. I wish i never started. Elizabeth’s life took a sharp right turn when hip pain and a broken leg led to a stage IV non-small cell lung cancer diagnosis with tumors in her lung, lymph nodes, and brain. I’m a female & 50. I had walking pneumonia and whooping cough when I was in 8th grad and missed half of that school year from that and every since up until adult hood I had pneumonia 2 more times once when I was pregnant.I ended up developing a cough every since I was 12 years old and it never went away so I had been coughing off and on constantly since childhood up until adult. Had a final two rounds of chemo in the fall of 2009. My R shoulder felt & still feels at times a weird tingling &/or numbness. We hope her story will continue to serve as inspiration for others on the importance of early detection for lung cancer. Fabulous news! I was 6 mos getting SSDI and then I couldn’t get them to STOP paying me when I went back to work. Please say a prayer for her. 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