My husband went to the doctor with what he thought was a pulled muscle, only be told two days later that he has terminal lung cancer. We are both so shocked as he didn't feel ill at all. We were just not expecting that, since then it has been a whirlwind of scans, biopsy etc. I am not coping well, have not been able to go to work, I just feel sick and scared all the time, neither of us are getting much sleep, I just don't know how to support him when my whole body seems to have gone into melt down and I feel selfish that I can't cope already and it's only going to get worse. Of course covid is making it worse as friends want to help but of course they can't come to house. Just feeling totally at a loss. We never considered lung cancer as he gave up smoking 36 years ago. The doctor told us my husband he has traces of asbestos in his lungs and told my husband to claim money but I have know idea what he means, I know he means well but money won't save my husband.
Hi @misty2012,
So sorry to hear about your husband, it is so different to my wife's path that is is perhaps hard to make a direct comparison though with a previous medical incident I can feel some connection - fortunately at the time my employer was very sympathetic - and no you are not being selfish at all, do talk to your GP though as they may well be able to help - getting signed off work for a time for instance.
If the cancer is asbestos related it may well be Mesothelioma and you can read more about that on the NHS website here and there is a link to the government payment scheme at the bottom of that page; while you are quite correct the money will not save your husband it might help to make the time easier for you both. If he has this form of cancer it may well be there is no relation at all to his smoking history - though he did very well to give up, for my mother a six month spell in hospital was the thing that finally helped her stop.
If you have any questions you would like a "professional" answer to you can ask them on our Ask a Nurse and of course if it helps ring the phoneline 0808 808 0000 - it is open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm, post on here too whenever as someone will always be listening.
<<hugs>>
Steve
