Hi, I'm so sorry about your diagnosis. If the lymph node dissection caused nerve damage perhaps a consult with a neurologist who specializes in nerve damage. I'm curious if your tumor was resected. From www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery/remove-lymph-nodes , "Nerve pain-You might have numbness, tingling or a shooting pain in your armpit, upper arm, shoulder or chest wall. This is due to damage to the nerves during surgery. The nerves usually repair themselves, but it can take many weeks or months. Your doctor or nurse can give you medicines to help with nerve pain." Gabapentin is often helpful for nerve pain. Also topical (put on the skin) creams, physical therapy (PT), and massage and desensitization can be helpful. How did your appointment go with your oncologist?

Glad it was helpful! Let us know if you have questions.

Hi. I'm sorry to know about your diagnosis and that it's not obvious from where it came. PET scans can see if there are any places that suggest a tumor (or inflammation or infection) is present. I assume you've had one? There are usual suspects for malignant ascites. If the fluid hasn't returned perhaps you'll not need another paracentesis as early as Friday. However until the culprit is found and dealt with it is likely to return. From jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/2757397 , "Certain cancers, such as ovarian, pancreatic, liver, and colon cancers, are more likely to cause ascites." Best of luck and don't hesitate to ask if you have questions, Janine

I'm so sorry about your diagnosis. I hope you are getting what you need. Please let us know if you have questions. Ask here or on our forums, cancergrace.org/forum/active Take care, Janine

Hi studiohost, I'm sorry. That is troublesome. Have you spoken to your oncologist/hematologist or you primary doc about what can be done to coax the levels to normal again? These problems can last. There are survivor groups online that are surely to have tips on what has been helpful. I'm not familiar with these groups other than knowing they exist but I do know that this type of crowd sourcing can be life changing. Best of luck, Janine

You're welcome and welcome. Any questions you have we can try to answer. Take care

Yes, I agree. We encourage our faculty to use both generic and brand names which is a pretty easy thing to miss in a live webinar for our faculty who are accustom to using just one term. I'll pass your note along to our program manager and she may be able to correct this type of oversight in edit. Thanks for the input.

I'm sorry you're having this issue and if it's causing problems I hope you are able to have it resolved. Don't apologize for having good luck with lung cancer. I know how troublesome problems from cured lung cancer can be. Best of luck.

@@CancergraceOrg Thank you and the best of luck to you as well

Absolutely! We have live lung cancer events every year. I believe the next is next February. However, we will have new videos by June 9... post ASCO which is next week-June 1-3. These videos will cover the most up to date advances in lung cancer management addressed at ASCO.

It can take a few weeks for hemoglobin to return to normal after cisplatin. Make certain your mom continues to get regular checks. Best of luck.

I'm sorry you need to know how good Dr. Djang is at explaining difficult info. I hope you do well.

@@CancergraceOrg my husband just had his 15th Pet scan on. Monday. He has one hot spot with an SUV of 3 compared to 3.4 last yr. We Praised the Lord as it has been a long 10yrs and stag 4 twice. Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma

That's great news Patricia. BTW, my husband is 15 years from his diagnosis, nsclc. He was branded recurrent twice within the first year. This past year he's had a year of suspicious scans but no cancer found in 2 biopsies. Very happy for our good luck.

CDC is aware of public concern about the safety of HPV vaccine. Since the vaccine’s introduction in 2006, vaccine safety monitoring and studies conducted by CDC, FDA, and other organizations have documented a reassuring safety record. There is no current evidence that HPV vaccines cause reproductive problems in women. From, www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/vaccines/hpv/hpv-safety-faqs.html

If they lost your application they will prob work with you to get another one filed. The cost of these new drugs just keeps increasing. Practically no one could afford them. I just went through the mind-boggling process of getting Medicare. Especially if you don't have part c you shouldn't have much of a bill for your anti cancer treatment. The cancer center should have someone who will help get you through the financial process. Taking a break from treatment because you need a break is one thing but stopping because of the bills is awful. I hope you find a better way.

Medical and radiation oncologists may treat the underlying cancer with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and/or radiation to prevent the fluid from accumulating. A pulmonologist or thoracic surgeon will work with your oncology team to discuss other treatments available to remove the fluid and/or prevent it from re-accumulating to keep you breathing well. Your healthcare providers will work together to treat the cancer and your symptoms. Here is a list of links on the subject. Let us know if you have further questions. cancergrace.org/tagging/pleural-effusion Best of luck,

@@CancergraceOrg I want to know that 650 to 750ml of fluid is comming daily from drain in lungs and Doctors are unable to use talcum powder due to this is there any way to minimize that fluid so they can do this process.

@dharmendrajat007 treating the cause of the effusion is the only way to minimize the build-up. Alternatively, an indwelling catheter such as a pleurex catheter can be worn for extended use. It should not cause pain.

@@CancergraceOrg For how long cathater can be worn. She is taking Geftinib tablet but the thing is she is having fuild of red color and it there any thing which can help her in recovering. Her age is 56 and right now having complain of Diarrhea.

An indwelling catheter can be worn for as long as there is fluid that needs draining regularly. It is normal to have blood in the fluid of a malignant pleural effusion. It's important to let her onc team know of new or worsening symptoms like bloody effusions and diarrhea. They can suggest or prescribe something to help with diarrhea. If the rest of her cancer is progressing it may be appropriate for her to take tagrisso.

Thank you for sharing. I assume you're saying that you've not found these supportive care ideas helpful and I'm so sorry. Cancer really lives up to its reputation. Good luck,

The following playlist includes info about financial issues and ways to help manage costs. Best of luck. kzbin.info/aero/PLWsyUmdjLXhEF4K5JeaSzHArR7v0e1iqm&si=0rGB-xPY5SmCRsCX

I'm glad this is helpful. Speaking from a spouse and best friend perspective, I find knowledge/understanding of what's happening to be a great comfort (well, as good a comfort as can be had) and I've found quality of care is a broad spectrum so knowledge is quite literally power. Best of luck to you and your person.

@@CancergraceOrgYes, that’s SO true🙏🏼 My friend turned round to me a few months ago and said “do you know your the only friend I have that has researched my condition and educated yourself to know how to support me best and that means the world to me” she said it gives her great comfort as a lot of friends have disappeared unfortunately. Thanks so much I’m hoping for the best for her x

Joseph, That sounds a lot more than fatigue. If you're not already, keep close communication with your oncology team, doc, nurses, techs. Also there are many online patient groups specific to treatments like immunotherapy groups on FB. You may get a better feeling about better options for side effect management or possible treatment break, or changes to discuss with your onc. Also a 2nd opinion from a major academic research center may have helpful input. I'm sorry you're going through this. best of luck, Janine

PET scan will light up like a lamp where cells are active such as in cancer, infection, inflammation, the brain, the stomach all show up bright on a PET scan.

@@CancergraceOrg yes but what does the blue mean

I'm not sure what blue you're talking about. In these videos, there is no blue. There is an explanation of coloring that some pet reporting uses and is explained in an NIH article linked below. The section toward the beginning of the article titled "Optimal windowing of PET images" explains that the color system follows the rainbow color system putting blue near the coolest/least active areas. I hope this helps. When in doubt someone on your care team should be able to explain precisely what your's mean. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5067887/ Best of luck

Hi Katrina, I hope you don't have a pancoast tumor. If you do you should be in good hands. Actually, lung cancer's best weapon is to go undetected but pancoast tumors cause enough pain to be detected early enough to have better cure rates than the rest of lung cancers. FYI, the chief of clinical thoracic surgery at NYU Langone, Dr. Robert Cerfolio is a world renowned pancoast tumor surgeon. He practiced literally down the street from our house when my husband was diagnosed with a pancoast tumor. Hope you don't have cancer. A PET/CT is the right next move...after PT that didn't help...right? Keep us posted.

When there are difficult decisions to be made, it's good to have another head in the game. This article is one of my fav all time grace articles. It discusses the who, what, when where, and why of 2nd opinions. They're never a bad idea and it sounds like you need a better understanding of the situation. cancergrace.org/post/insiders-guide-second-opinion Take care, Janine

@@CancergraceOrg thank you so much.

Hey ARefinedMe, I am so sorry this has happened. For anyone else reading this you obviously want all the information so you can make decisions and ARefinedMe's experience is an unfortunate example of why it's important to check and double check resources yourself. You never know when your onc team is having an off day, or just isn't interested in how much you know. Refined, whether knowing the possible side effects could have helped catch this earlier and changed outcomes or changed your decision to take keytuda isn't isn't an excuse for your care team not to share or know side effect information. Steroids are joke to have to take forever. Again, I'm sorry for what you go through and hope you have or can learn to live and enjoy life with this new normal.

Hi solidcatink, I'm sorry you had to stop taking aromatase. It's shameful that the trial didn't record and report side effects other than cancer risk. Did you start tamoxifen or lower dose tamoxifen? I'm glad you feel better now.

I'm glad you found this video helpful. I wish there had been advances in the last 8 years. I hope your step father feels better soon.

Hi, I'm sorry you're sick and worried. I hope you're able to see a doc soon and find you're better soon. Take care,

I'm so sorry we've lost Cissy. I can feel how much you loved her. Cancer is a devastating disease. Even treatments that are FDA approved can cause more harm than good. The understatement is, We need better treatments. Most everyone with cancer diagnosis has to make decisions about cancer care. Care plans have to balance one's wills and won'ts, it's critical and individual. Clinical trials are far from perfect, as is they are the only way to move forward. They are definitely not for everyone. Ideally, those who participate understand the risks. They should always be the heroes of the trial. That doesn't take away grief. Still it feels good to be proud all that Cissy did including being a part of advancing cancer care. I'm very sorry for your loss. Take care, Janine

NO. PFS stands for progression free survival and means there has been no progression on a treatmetment hence the treatment is working. It could be that there has been shrinkage or it remains the same.

Hi, I am so sorry your wife has passed. I know how recent it all is. Fortunately there has been advancements in treating egfr exon 20 nsclc. Sunvozertinib is approved for 2nd line treatment in advanced egfr exon 20 nsclc from results of phase 2 trials. We still need more though. Here is a video on the subject. Take care, kzbin.info/www/bejne/fn-2f4iwpsuaj6s

An xray can see air space in 2 dimensions. A CT can get a better look because it will give a 3 dimension view which can pick us pockets where fluid can hide, called loculated pleural effusion. Sometimes the lung doesn't completely expand but is clear enough to breathe well enough for most daily tasks.

Hi, I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis. It's not uncommon to come into a new cancer diagnosis in good health...otherwise, including PE's that aren't causing much shortness of breath. I hope you're doing alright right now.

Hi Claudine, I'm sorry you had or are having to go through this. Cisplatin doublet concurrent with radiation can be quite difficult and many people need to cut short the planned regimen. The 3 cycles you were able to take of cisplatin still gave your cancer a hit. I hope you are doing well

Hi, I'm so sorry your sister is going through this. If she isn't sure that nothing can be done to cure the cancer there maybe treatments to slow down the process. If no anticancer treatment is used hospice will manage comfort care and provide expertise for your sister and her family and caregivers. If she isn't sure she's getting good care perhaps she can get another opinion from an academic, research hospital. I hope for the best for you and her, Janine

Hey Mick, I hope the treatment is a success. That is a difficult regimen. Glad you didn't have nausea. They use good anti-nausea drugs with chemo infusions so a lot more people do better than they would have 15 years ago. Chemo nurses have the best side effect management suggestions. My husband had concurrent etoposide/cisplatin and radiation in 09 for lung cancer and he's doing fine today. Best of luck, Janine

I just started my treatment, it's identical to yours 35 radiation to throat and neck and once a week cisplatin chemo over a 7week period. Today was second radiation and first of the chemo, how long before these side effects arrised with you, and did they subscribe over time. Hope your treatment went well and your c free ❤️

@@MorgansReviews I had my PET Scan April 9th. Results 100% Cancer free. I hesitate to tell you about my side effects, due to the fact I never had real horrible side effects. Worst I had was my taste was all messed up and dry mouth. I'm 6 months now post treatment, I have regained some of my taste but I still get dry mouth. I eat alot a Recola sugar free lemon mints. The reason I hesitate is because its different for everyone. I was lucky and I know it. My prayers are with ya and good luck! I edited this to mention the muscle loss. I did seem to have some after the chemo and also Fatige. I would be watching a program I was even interested in and would fall fast asleep. Both of those side effect have subsided now. All in all aside form the dry mouth and my neck being alittle sore fron time to time. I actully feel really pretty fantastic!!!! Considering all I went through. I do pray its the same for you.

@@mickthedawg4575 thank you so very much for the detailed reply, it's very helpful and very much appreciated, so glad to hear that all went well for you and pray it continues that way for you ♥️♥️♥️

I'm so sorry your sister is going through this. If the ascites is caused by the cancer really treating the cancer is the best way to treat the ascites. I hope she does well and all the best to you, Janine

I was trying the same thing but I changed my mind it's too much.

As stated in this video, when PFS can be measured in years for the outliers and months for others it is real and meaningful but if PFS can only be measured by weeks not so useful for people but that data does give us info for now we know.

Hi Richie, I don't have any input. Perhaps this link can provide some help. my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21577-exocrine-pancreatic-insufficiency-epi Best of luck, Janine

Yes I agree. Please let me remind you that this video is 13 years old and radiation oncology has made some changes. So make sure the info you've taken from this video is still the standard of care. Don't hesitate to ask us. Thanks,

Hi Henrietta, I'm sorry about your father in law. If the brain met was the only metastasis and was completely removed then the primary could be considered the only remaining cancer which would make surgery an option if the tumor is otherwise considered operable. This is known as oligometastasis more on that here, cancergrace.org/post/importance-oligo-oligometastatic-or-oligoprogression. Ideally, the 2nd opinion is gotten from a specialist at a large academic research center. That specialist would be willing to advise who would be best to perform the surgery (or SBRT if unresectable). A lot of decisions depend on the individual's health/performance status, location of tumor, and willingness for whatever treatment. If it is found that the cancer has spread and tagrisso is no longer working anywhere then he could look into clinical trials (that specialist could help with that too). After using all TKI options then chemo/immunotherapy would be considered next. I'd certainly look into the oligometastasis options first. With surgery or SBRT there is possibility of cure. Systemic treatments aren't (haven't yet been) curative on their own. Best of luck, Janine

@@CancergraceOrg Thank you so much for your valuable advice I will pass this on to my husband.

Uug, that's awful. Perhaps your mom will have a lasting benefit from the 7 treatments she's had. We still don't know enough about it but some people seem to have benefit many months after immunotherapies like keytruda have been stopped. Too, nurses, infusion nurses are a great go-to for info like side effects. 2nd opinions or a move for a better fit may also be possible. 30 years ago when there was little to offer wording like that was still unwarranted but the sentiment would have been understandable. Today there are options and it's accepted that doctors take quality of life to be a very important aspect of care. I'm sorry y'all are going through that.

@@CancergraceOrg thank you. I will try your suggestions. I’m glad she stopped because she has no cancer per scans. About 4 years ago she had cancer under her toenail and had her toe amputated. She had another scan this year and something showed up in her calf and was removed. The cancer had clean margins around it. As you can tell I’m not very knowledgeable when it comes to medical issues but this video was very helpful. Thank you

I understand, I came into the cancer world with as little knowledge as one can have. In 09 GRACE was lucky to have oncologists answering questions directly. As you can imagine the forums became a mecca for learners needing info quick. I can still ask our faculty when needed but lots of things become old hand while others move much faster than I can keep up with. TMI? :) I don't know what type of cancer your mom had but it does sound like as long as she gets regular scans she should be fine...not to mention everything that goes into active treatment. Below I've linked an excellent primer on 2nd opinions, even if the 2nd is far from home it will give a better understanding of what's maybe up and prob be able to help find a new onc close to home. And prep for the 2nd op so to have best questions they will be happy to answer them. cancergrace.org/post/insider%E2%80%99s-guide-second-opinion

Thank you all for your support. I just want to say that you are an inspiration. You have your illnesses yet take time to help me so I can help my mom. You are the cream of the crop, you are all beautiful people.

Tracy, that means soo much. My husband is the one who had cancer. It was supposed to be stage IV lung cancer but when he took a treatment break it never progressed. That was 11 years ago. The doctors on GRACE and all over social media teaching patients and caregivers like us and advocating for patient advocates have restored my upmost respect for the profession. Thanks, Janine keep us posted.

Hi, I'm so sorry your father has been diagnosed with MCL. Let us know if we can answer any questions you have. Best of luck

how so?

The definition of stage IV lung cancer is that it has metastesized from it's original tumor. If a tumor doesn't spread it's really not considered cancer. And yes one tumor can grow to a point that can kill.

Hi Texas, I'm sorry your father is going through this. I'm not a doctor, I'm on GRACE's social media team, a teacher, and a well informed lung cancer caregiver. The best treatment for PE is to treat the reason for the pleural effusion (cancer). If the drainage tubes aren't working then pleurodesis may be an option. The most important part of the procedure is to make sure the doctor is well experienced, someone who does this every day like an interventional pulmonologist who treats only cancer. The lungs must be able to completely expand for the procedure to work. Best of luck

So glad you found the video helpful. We're proud of our faculty including Dr. Phillips who are paid little or nothing to educate most anyone so they can make educated decisions. BTW, I don't know if Dr. Phillips does but many oncology specialists take voice or video consults.