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Immunotherapy delay due to unknown condition

LillyT
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Hi. I was diagnosed with lung cancer November 2024 and had chemo and radiotherapy from end December until mid March of this year. Mid April 2024 I started immunotherapy treatment (Durvalumab) every 2 weeks. This should be for a year and my last scan shows that the tumour is responding to treatment.
I have recently been having some (not major) rectal bleeding or pink mucus after passing wind, and after I defecate. My chemo unit have made a referral to Gastro but until this happens they are talking of withholding treatment.
I don’t know how long I will have to wait for Gastro. I wonder if anyone else has had a similar experience and would be grateful for some advice. 
Many thanks 

  • Dear LillyT,

    Thank you for getting in touch with us, and welcome to our online community. My name is Annerose I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses here at the Macmillan Cancer Support line.

    It is good to hear that you are responding well to your Immunotherapy for lung cancer. I understand you experience some rectal bleeding and pink mucous, this must have come as shock to you.

    It’s always a worrying time when you’re having cancer treatment and waiting for appointments and results is not easy.

    Unfortunately waiting times for tests and scan can vary in different hospitals.

    We would advise for you to get in touch with your chemo unit or lung cancer team, ask and get information about the urgency of the referral they have done for you. Ask if it was made as an urgent referral, in view of having to go on with your treatment as soon as possible.

    Your consultant or Clinical Nurse Specialist, if you have one, also can contact and communicate with the gastro-department and make sure you are at the top of their list.  

    The uncertainty about what the future may hold can be very difficult to cope with. Feeling upset and worried is completely understandable right now. You may feel like you have no control over what is going to happen to you. The waiting period might feel very long, and the future may feel very uncertain. 

    Some people find it helpful to talk to one of us nurses directly about the way they feel. You are welcome to call us on 0808 808 0000. The lines are open from 8am to 8pm every day. It is often easier to discuss things by phone.

    I hope this has been helpful, but please don’t hesitate to get back in touch if you need any further information or support.

    Best wishes and take care, 

    Annerose (Cancer Information Nurse Specialist) 

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

    Ref/ AON/AM

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