Hi, my name is Dawn and I just felt it was time to write down my journey of my diagnosis and treatment. I have never blogged before, but thought Macmillan was the best place to start.
I do have a strong faith in God and I am a Christian and I do talk about this.
At the end of March 2019 I had been feeling really ill, high blood pressure, absolutely no energy and had no idea what was wrong with me! I am generally a very healthy person, always on the go. I eventually called 111 and they sent me to the Urgent Treatment Centre and the doctor there sent me for blood tests. The results were that I had low sodium, I was then sent for CT scan, more blood tests on 2nd April. The medical consultant then informed me that I had incurable, inoperable, small cell lung cancer in my right lung. He told me he was really sorry! I told him, not to worry, I am a Christian and God will look after me.
Strangely (and I put this down to my faith), I wasn't upset, didn't ask "why me?" My main concern was telling my husband, my two adult children and my mother! I told my husband not to be angry at God (he is not a Christian) - he simply replied "how can I be angry with someone I don't believe in?" His heart is softening in that regard now.
So I was referred to Thoracic, had a biopsy and then booked in for chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The radiotherapy was on my chest and brain (as I was told this type of cancer can spread to the brain).
Just before my treatment started, my husband fell and broke his hip and he ended up in hospital for two weeks! So I would have my chemo, drive to another hospital to go and see my husband! Poor man felt so bad - I tried to reassure him that it was fine!
So I had 6 sessions of chemo and when that was finished had 10 sessions of radiotherapy. I was really blessed in that I did not experience any really awful side effects, apart from the usual lack of energy - which lasted quite a while after the radiotherapy finished.
My scans remained clear after that until end of May 2020 and then the cancer came back, so I had another 4 sessions of chemotherapy (after being told that the second round of chemo only works in 2 out of 5 people - so I told my consultant to not write me off, I may be one of the two that it works on). This round of chemo finished in the middle of August this year. I had scans in August & October and they were both clear. I had one on 15th December and will have a phone call on 23rd December with my consultant and I am praying that he has good news before Christmas for me!
In spite of Covid, appointments have continued via phone (apart from blood tests and scans of course!) We have been shielded since 23rd March and have not been anywhere apart from the hospital.
With regards to my work, my manager and the team, HR, Occupational Health etc. have been really supportive.
I have amazing friends in my church family and they pray for me constantly. One thing I have found out since being diagnosed, is that there are so many people going through tougher situations than me, health wise. I find incredible joy and reassurance in my faith.
I will share my results next time.
