Facing Lung Cancer: Nervous About Starting Chemotherapy

I was diagnosed with stage IIIa right upper lobe lung cancer in November 2023. I had 39 radiation treatments and started immunotherapy with Keytruda every three weeks. My tumor was unresectable. I had a PET scan in February and it showed no active cancer cells. I'm scheduled for another scan on June 20th. I'm 75 and have quite a few symptoms that could be related to the cancer or the Keytruda? I'm very anxious/scared also. Nothing we can do about the future. I try to use some distraction strategies when I get stuck in the "what if" syndrome. I remind myself that I have a lot to be thankful for between now and the time I get the results of the scan. I try to do a few activities that I enjoy for as long as my endurance will allow. Sometimes it works better than other times. I also remind myself that the immunotherapy seems to be working so I try to focus on getting another good report. Once again, sometimes it works better than other times. I understand that it is a struggle. We just have to fight as long as there is hope. As long as there are reasonable treatment options, we dig deep and take the struggle head-on and do the best we can. I know chemo can be pretty tough but there are a lot of people going through it with you. I wish you well with your treatment regimen! You can do this!

Same here...starting next Thursday....4 treatments every 3rd Thursday, surgery end of Sept

Wishing you all the best results!

All the best to all of us!!! We all have to be positive that’s why we all go to those harmful treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy with Keytruda and radiation. We all have to have hope!!! I was diagnosed with stage four long cancer in March of this year and I’m after two sessions of immunotherapy and chemotherapy, I got severe side effects after those treatments that they had to reduce the dosage of drugs in chemotherapy of 25% otherwise I don’t think I would continue the treatments!!! Now i decided to go under PROTON radiation 5 days a week 5 weeks in the row to hit the target directly in my right lung.It’s a long journey especially for me , I never smoked, never did drugs , I was a professional athlete!!! We all need to pray and love God and wait for the best outcome!!! God bless all of us!!!

Well I have 1 remaining 2nd treatment was ruff took me week and half to feel little better gonna have scan after 33rd 1. Hope it has shrank it so they can operate and get tumor of. I understand the surgery pretty ruff but want it out of me. Thank you all for the support!!!!

I need 4 treatments before surgery.....next week is #3.....I will have a scan before 3rd and sometime after 4th Any one else have check in scans?

It's completely natural to feel nervous about starting chemotherapy - many people in this community have shared similar feelings before their first treatment. The fear of the unknown can be overwhelming, but connecting with others who have walked this path can provide valuable insights and emotional support. Consider reaching out to fellow community members who may have experience with similar treatment plans, as their firsthand knowledge and encouragement can help ease some of those anxious feelings as you prepare for Monday.