Damaged ribs
I have stage four non small cell lung cancer. The mass not only has a large nerve bundle encapsulated, it is up against ribs right below my arm pit. I was diagnosed four years ago.
It is deteriorating two ribs and I have one rib above and one below the deteriorating ribs fractured.
Morphine and Salonpas are no longer working as long as before. The pain has also intensified.
I am currently on immunotherapy with Tecentriq. Chemo and radiation have not helped. In fact, the mass had grown considerably. I am now 10% of what it was with Tecentriq, however it seems the deterioration has worsened.
By chance, has anyone had a situation like this? I am more concerned about the deteriorating ribs and how others may have had them repaired.
Hi, I have a rib issue after my most recent lung surgery (I've had two surgeries, 22 years apart). One of my ribs never went back into place after the surgery and draining tube. It hasn't gotten better, yesterday I went to be fitted for a rib brace, not to correct it, at this point it cannot be corrected, but for comfort and to protect it. The brace helps, but takes a little time to get used to. A friend of mine had to have her ribs bound as a couple broke during her surgery, but the binding was done before they closed her up after surgery. I'm not sure what can be done after the fact, other than a brace. Have you spoken to your medical care team and did they have any answers/solutions or a referral for you to be seen by a rib specialist? I am sorry you are in such pain! ~ Alisa, LungCancer Team Patient Leader Hi Alisa, I can sympathize with what you are going through. I wish the best for you and that the brace helps you.
My oncologist has not been of much help. The one nurse actually told me that I should be happy that I am alive! (That was the help I got for depression, no prescription , nothing but that comment about six or seven times). I will no longer meet with her before treatment.
I went to a pain specialist who gave me several shots into the nerve bundle that is surrounded by the cancer mass. No help.
I will call him back after my next scan, hoping it will be in the next week. He is also head of surgery, so I hope he can find a way to either have them bound over, maybe cut out and braced, I don’t know. A year ago the two surgeons that looked at my scan would not touch it because of the proximity to the nerve bundle.
Most times I just feel like I am alone in this battle and all I get is the treatment every three weeks.I posted a link for you on your other thread, I hope it helps! Having lung cancer can be a lonely place, but there are a few really supportive virtual zooms that I often attend. Everyone is so welcoming and we share our stories and help each other with suggestions with what works for them for certain side effects, and sometimes just chat. If you are interested, here is the link:
https://www.lungevity.org/for-patients-caregivers/support-services/virtual-meetups
If you register, you will get emails with the zoom links. All attendance is optional of course, and some people turn their cameras on and others keep them off, there is no pressure if someone just wants to listen in, but space is given if you want to share. Wishing you the best, Alisa
