I just found out I have cancer. I've gone through a lot of tests and biopsies.

I found out a month ago I have a small lightning looking strip of cancer on my upper right lung. My regular doctor told me the biopsy came back as cancer, but it's treatable. I had a PET scan. I went to see the surgeon. He told me I have cancer in various other places, but was not specific as to where and how aggresive. Last Wednesday (7/30) I had a biopsy on my bone behind my breast and a mammogram.

My surgeon told me the cancer in my lung is secondary. He needs to find the primary location.

Does is always take so long to get answers? I don't want them to waste precious time quessing, if I don't have the time.  Can anyone shed some light on the process ? 

I guess I'm having a little panic attack not knowing.

 Hi, I just recently had a hysterectomy and have been diagosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer. Somethings happened more quickly than others but the waiting for the lab to diagnose the cancer cells seem to take forever. The only thing that got me through it all the waiting was trusting in the Lord that he tells us "we might have to wait but never says to worry " he tells us to cast all our anxieties on Him." Sometimes its hard but I find when I do He gives me peace. I hope this helps I will keep you in my prayers that this journey is not to difficult for you.

God Bless. Cindy in NH

 hi my name is ken i found out in june i had cancer of the tongue i had to have several cat scans and a pet scan the pet scan found a spot on my lung so i had to have another cat scan butthe spot onmy lung was nothing  but all the test cause the cancer on my tongue to grow  more so all send and done they ad to take more of my tongue then they thought i just started my chemo and radation because they did not get all of the cancer i hope evrything works out and we all concer this dreadful illness

angel1cw:

 I just found out I have cancer. I've gone through a lot of tests and biopsies.

I found out a month ago I have a small lightning looking strip of cancer on my upper right lung. My regular doctor told me the biopsy came back as cancer, but it's treatable. I had a PET scan. I went to see the surgeon. He told me I have cancer in various other places, but was not specific as to where and how aggresive. Last Wednesday (7/30) I had a biopsy on my bone behind my breast and a mammogram.

My surgeon told me the cancer in my lung is secondary. He needs to find the primary location.

Does is always take so long to get answers? I don't want them to waste precious time quessing, if I don't have the time.  Can anyone shed some light on the process ? 

I guess I'm having a little panic attack not knowing.

 

 just hang in there. I to know how hard the waiting is but, just remember  this to will pass. with lots of prayer.

cgepford

 Hello,

Sometimes it takes awhile.  It took from May 25,2007 to Sep 24th, 2007 to determine my diagnosis.  Hang in there, call your doctor often.  If you start to feel apprehensive about your doctor, find a new one.  I went through 5 before I found one I could trust and work with.  Now I feel he is one of my best friends.

much love,

Cerc

Angel; I am a Caregiver to my husband who has just been diagnosed with Lung Cancer. He will be undergoing surgery Thursday so like you I am scared for him and myself. But I pray for guidance for you and all.

I do have as my Mantra. ONE DAY AT A TIME; DO NOT LOOK TOO FAR INTO THE FUTURE.

Love to you and yours.

 Thanks

I think the waiting is the hardest part of this whole process. I  was diagnosed with breast cancer over a year ago, finished chemo and am now having a new health issue, diarrhea for 3 weeks. I think once you have this disease every new health problem is related until proven otherwise.  Friday I got test results that said it was not caused by a parasite or bacteria soi I have to go to a gastroenterologist and get a colonoscopy. More tests, more waiting. So I have been reading, quilting, sleeping and doing anything I can to turn off the worry brain. For the most part I am successful. Othertimes I am searching the net for answers and plannig my funeral (only kidding, but that is where my brain will go if I don't keep it on track!).

I try to remember that my brain is like a muscle and will do only what I train it to do!

Best wishes for a positive outcome.

Kathleen

 Dear Kathleen

I am a Caregiver and quite the worrier also. At present my husband is in the hospital recovering from a  Thoracotomy. They removed his upper right lobe. He seems very positive so I worry for both of us.

All I can say to you is don't read too much until it depresses you and my new Mantra since discovering the mass  in his lung has been One day at a time. It doesn't  do you any good to look too far into the future. If this is any consolation I will add you to my prayer list. I've been burning up the good Lord's ears lately.

God bless you

Love

Terry

Hi my name is gina and i am sorry to hear of your situation-my daddy has just been dianosed  with non small cell lung cancer, has had a petscan done and will get those results on thursday-the first doctor said he had a spot on his liver as well and did a liver biopsey but it came back negative-but other doc says that doesen't mean anything and did a petscan-sounds crazy i know-i just lost my mother 3 yrs ago and i am not ready for this---I to am like you and beginning to get a little frusturated about the part of wasting precious time-like my daddy said they sure dont waste anytime in sending you a bill and wanting promt payments for thier services-HA    As several of the others have responded PRAYER  is the best answer and to trust in the Lord

 Wow, I can see why you would be frustrated. It's hard not having all the answers, especially when those answers could mean life or death. I've read that it's fairly common for cancer diagnoses to take a long time. I guess it's important to just rest assured that if the worst were to happen, your life wouldn't be over. Check out the accomplishments and quality of life this woman enjoyed after her diagnosis:

www.wellsphere.com/cancer-article/seventh-anniversary-of-my-cancer-diagnosis/175942

I hope this helps with the waiting process, hope with all my heart that the results are good.

Andrea

hello all,

Yes, keep thinking positive thoughts and if possible watch funny movies. Laughter really is the best medicine to keep you from worry!

My sister is under going some tests as we speak to see what is wrong with her vascular system and is terrified she may have cancer too. So I do empathize and understand a little of what you are going through right now----the waiting is awful.

for a new look..........lace front wigs

 Angel ...

I am right there with you as I was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer on Aug 21, 2008, and feel like I have been in a fog ever since, trying to get enough information to determine the best treatment plan.

My son's dear father-in-law was diagnosed in March 2008 with colon cancer (stage 4) and he has done remarkably well with his chemo.  But one thing I learned from his wife, who is a dear friend as well, is that this is a marathon and not a sprint for most of us.  We need to find a soft place to fall at times when we feel we have reached our wit's end; we need to create support systems both personal and professional (i.e., medical) where we can get the information and emotional support we need for this race; and we need to let ourselves be sad and scared sometimes because this disease is sad and scarey.  As long as we don't dwell on the negative, we can still acknowledge its existance and then find things to do that keep us focused on the positive.

For me, I am starting to read more novels (yes, I am also reading medical stuff), I want to work on my cross-stitch projects, and I look forward to starting Bible study tomorrow where I can get some of that emotional and spiritual support I need.

Hang in there, Angel ... we can all empathize with you.  Though I am new to this site and this message board, I can assure you that I will be returning time and time again.

God bless.

Mary Ann

 Get yourself to a cancer specialist ASAP!!!  Do not mess around with the Surgeon or family doctor find yourself a cancer doctor.  See if there is a regional cancer center in your area.  Find out what kind of cancer you have been diagnoised with and start reading up on it.  BE PROACTIVE!!!  Read all your test results.

Becky

ACC (upper lip 9/2001)

Hi, I just saw that you and I are the only ones on the boards right now. I read your story and thought of jy friend Donna. She's survived cancer now for 5 years where they never did find the primary site.  There is even a name for this type of situation but it has escaped me. I hope by now you are in touch with a cancer treatment center and have more info. I have colon cancer, stage 4, and have completed 15 chemo sessions. Doing well; Now may have surgery. 

In my experience the panic and anxiety attacks are reduced as I move through treatment and have a support team of my medical folks, my family and friends. Sometimes though I wish I could talk about it all and it's late and not a tme to be calling folks--so I thought I would check out these boards for support. Just know someone is thinking good thoughts for your full recovery tonight.
Mary