Hi
I am a newbie at this and not sure if I am in the right place to get support from others, can't seem to find where you start so that you can be in touch by e-mail etc. hopefully this it?
Anyway, I was diagnosed with lung cancer (small cell type) in February and have had 3 sessions of chemo and Radio therapy. The shock of the diagnosis is just unbelievable and although but i think I am now through the worst of that, I find some days really hard to stay positive and not sink into bout of depresion. My prognosis is good, but to be honest what does that mean? My husband and I retired to France 21/2 years ago and we lovel it over here, but my French is not brilliant so that does not help, although my consultant does speak resonably good English, which is a blessing. I am due another session of chemo begining of June and then sometime after that will be the CT scan to see how I am doing - as it approaches I find myself worrying about it more, although I am trying to take each day as it comes. How does everyone else deal with their darkest moments, tips/hints would be really helpful.
Looking forward to hearing from people so I don't feel so alone.
Bea
There's a saying on this site - This is the club you really don't want to join but you are very welcome. So welcome Bea, and I hope you find the support you crave. We may not all have the same cancer but we all know that horrible feeling of shock on diagnosis and then the roller-coaster of tests, biopsies, scans, and then the various forms of treatment. We also understand the frustrations of waiting for test results... and the fear of what the results will be... and do we really want to know? Taking each day as it comes is a good idea. Try finding something 'nice' to do/eat/drink every day. Treat yourself and try NOT to focus on the illness. Yes, I know... easier said than done!
If you need any help finding your way around then send me a Personal Message.
as kate says we are all here for each other on thsi site, its really hard to deal with any diagnosis but taking each day is the right thing to do, shout scream whatever we are all here to listen,
Bea, I know just what you mean. I am a little confused on this site and am also a newby. I was diagnosed with Myelodysplasia w/ringed sideroblasts and refractory anemia (bone marrow cancer). There is no cure for this cancer. At first they told me I could live up to 10 years. That was in January. Well, now they are telling me the disease is progressing a lot faster than they originally thought. I have had 3 bone marrow biopsies (a lot of fun) 4 units of blood and a transfusion of platelets yesterday because they are so low that my doctor said I could have bed out by this weekend. So it looks like it went from up to 10 years to approx. 1. So I am very frightened. Not of dying. Just the dying process. Do you have these feelings also?
Think we may have something in common! I have grade 4 kidney cancer, diagnosed this feb 09 had radical surgery, went on chemo, but only 1 month into it had it stopped before it killed me quicker than the cancer itself. All my bloods were flat, had 2 units of blood to increase platelets, hb, & white cells, had terrible side effects from severe headache to sickness and generall weakness, but much better after blood, not so breathless!! My onc has not given me a time, but any future chemo will have to be scutinized as my blood pressure could rise dramitacally again given me another hypertensive crises! I'm still young (well mid 40's)! have 4 children, and the rest of my life to live to the full! I get positive days, then all of a sudden i get very frightned of my morbidity, to the point that i worry should i start to arrange my funeral, or am i being too morbid, not sure if i should go down that road! lol! I'm frightned about the pain and nausea, and wonder what it is like to die!!!! Sorry if this blog is depressing but I'm still coming to terms with the fact that I can't be cured, just controlled to a certain extent!! I hope all goes well for you, hope you stay in touch.
