Thoracic Surgeon

I cannot remember if I wrote before, think I did, but after my last scan, I enquired about possibility of having the small bit of cancer in my left lung removed, as it appears (altho there could still be microscopic cancer elsewhere we just don't know about yet), that this little bit of cancer is the only active bit.

I saw a thoracic surgeon on Wednesday. He was very nice, altho there was a wee bit of a mis communication. As well as my scan being discussed at x ray MDT meeting, when I got referred to thoracic surgeon, I was also discussed at the lung MDT meeting, so he thought I was there to hear about the surgery, and was ready to whip me in before xmas to get it done!!!! I was like - WOHHHHH , slow down, I aint even decided if I am having it removed now.

After I came out of there, and weighed everything up, I was erring on the NO side - as in not opting for surgery. I have left him saying I will discuss with oncologists when I see them in January.

I think people who don't have medical background are thinking - whip it out if its the only active bit. I had a long phone conversation with my chemo nurse yesterday - D. And for various reasons, I am even more erring on the NO side now. Trying to sum it up - basically there is greater risk of 'stirring up the cancer cell hornets nest' if they go in and disturb things, than leaving it alone and keeping an eye. They will not scan me earlier than a year. Also, if I got the surgery, the oncologists would definately give me chemo - to 'mop up' and stray cancer cells that may have been disturbed. I am fairly well just now, and should I go ahead with what could turn into a major op, I could be left with permanent nerve damage and pain, AND if the cancer was stirred up, I would be far less fit to tolerate chemo than I would be if things stirred up on their own right now.

I need to write down pros and cons, but have already done that mentally, and I have only come up with one pro so far - and that is - technically I would have no active cancer - but thats all to do with my brain - can I live with cancer in my body - well I have been for lots of years now, and yes can live with the knowledge that its there. Even though they removed this bit, I would still be classed as having metastatic disease.
Still pondering things over, but still keep coming up with NO.

D said, he, and the oncologists just cannot believe I am in this position to be even having to consider this - they , as I did, had me dead and buries years ago. As he reminded me, I was admitted to hospital after I got the mets diagnosis, with headaches, vomiting etc, and in his words - looked awful - they all thought the cancer had spread to my brain and that I was on my way out, cos of how I looked, and how aggressive the cancer was - now look at me!!?? As he said, I , and this cancer, have never done things by the book, and they are all astounded - but happily so.

I still have triple negative cancer, and they know if will kick off again, and when it does, it will probably be rapid, but there are still 4 other chemo's they have waiting in the sidelines, so all is not lost even when it does.

Suppose I always have been a stubborn little bugger :):)

Love
Fi
xxx

Todays saying........
May my heart be kind, my mind fierce, and my spirit brave....... Live Laugh Love