Information about risk, prevention, screening, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and support for all cancers 
Ask the OncoLink experts your questions about lung cancer. You can submit questions ahead of time or during the live event. A transcript will be available after the event in case you miss it.
Experts include:
• Tracey Evans, MD, Medical Oncologist & Assistant Professor at the Abramson Cancer Center
• Jared Weiss, MD Medical Oncologist & Assistant Professor at University of North Carolina’s Lineberger Cancer Center
• “Jim” Apisarnthanarax, MD, Radiation Oncologist & Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania
• Anil Vachani, MD, Pulmonologist & Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania
• Tracy Lautenbach, MSW, LCSW, Social Worker at the University of Pennsylvania
• Donna Lee Lista, Lung Cancer Survivor, Advocate and OncoLink Blogger
Dear Doctors,
My name is Chris Russell. I am a 62 year old white male who was diagnosed with Stage III non-small cell lung cancer in 1999. In 2000,I underwent a thoracodomy/pneumonictomy followed by a second surgery a month later (to fix a fistula). It was during this second thoracodomy that I died on the operating table. I was actually pronounced “dead” by the attending surgeons. While “dead”, I had a very profound experience in which I went somewhere (another dimention) and met face-to-Face with Jesus the Christ. He touched me and instantaneously healed me. My story sounds too incredible to consider but it’s true. Then in March of 2003 my cancer returned and I was diagnosed with “stage IV” lung cancer. The tumor was successfully removed but my oncologist advised me that they weren’t able to get it all as the malignancy had spread through my lymphatic system.
That’s been over 7 years ago and I’m still living and trying to help others…to give them hope. My hope is that my story will be of some help to you.
In His Name,
Chris Russell MSW, PLCSW
100% “service-connected” disabled Vietnam Veteran
Truly amazing and blessed are you. I am praying so hard to have your outcome. I am only 41 stage 3 non small in right lung. Inoperable. On treatment 5 of 6 praying that a cure can be found. I have strong faith in Jesus, in God even in a priest Fr Seelos. I pray for healing all day every day. At 15 had hodgkins (1985) and hade been in remission until this diagnosis in Oct 2010. This tumor was caused by the radiation that savd my life as a teeneager. Ironic isn’t it?! I wish you many more years of continued blessings.
You say that yours is in stage 3 but you don’t say whether it’s stage IIIA or IIIB. There is a BIG difference in that stage IIIB is inoperable but stage IIIA is operable. When I was first staged by the VAMC in Durham they misdianosed me as being stage IIIB and said that I was not eligible for surgery. When I questioned their diagnosis they admitted that they’d misdiagnosed me yet said that I still wasn’t eligible for surgery! I then went and received treatment via MEDICAID where I was eligible for surgery and received same. Have you gotten a second opinion? Why did they tell you that you cancer was “inoperable”?
What sort of “moderation” do you mean?
I think you are asking about the blog moderation? We hold comments until they are read- mostly because of the huge amount of spam we get on the blog- I have never had a real post that was deemed inappropriate.
One other reason a lung cancer can be inoperable is the location. I don’t know Ellen’s case, but in some cases a location near critical structures (or involving these structures) can make surgery not an option. But, that too can vary by the skill of the surgeon, so shopping around for another opinion can be worthwhile.
And yes you have given me hope so thank you so much
my husband was diagnoise with lung cancer back in 8/2010 he started chemo treatment. he went for a ct scan on 2/24/2011 no sign if tumor in lungs. we went bac again on 3/31/2011 still no tumor ct scan was clear. white blood cell count is low, but doctor wants him to do maintenace chemo every 3 to 4 weeks.
Is this normal since there is no tumor in his body?