Hello, firstly thank you for even reading this post and taking the time to do so. On Monday my 69 year old Dad told me had had been having tests for the past 4 weeks for lung cancer, he had had every test he could and more. He showed me a later saying he had a follow up appointment on Wednesday which would tell him his results.
I was in complete and utter shock, so overwhelmed and sad he had been going through this alone not telling any of the family or my siblings.
On Wednesday our fears were confirmed he has a 38mm cancerous tumour in his upper left lung. Alarmingly there are further worries about nearby lymph nodes and distant ones also so further tests are needed before a full diagnosis and treatment plan.
I can't describe how completely devastated and heartbroken I am as it has been such a huge shock happening in a short space of time, I'm overwhelmed. He is my rock and in my quiet moments I lose all rational thoughts and feel complete despair. Although I'm keeping positive and supportive to him, I can't bring myself to talk to anyone other than my husband and siblings about it.
My Dad is partly in denial not telling anyone the full picture I only know because I was with him at the appointment.
I just don't know where to start in processing all of this. I'm hoping this group will have shared experiences that can help.
Hi MapArt79
So sorry to hear about your dad, your tale is really quite common often with a parent not wanting to worry their children in the hope it might be nothing really - great until reality hits.
If we look at Your feelings when someone has cancer I know I recognize pretty much all those emotions when my wife was diagnosed. That time between diagnosis and any treatment starting is about the worst too. Sometimes it can help to notice an emotion and recognize is as valid but that we step back a bit and it might not overwhelm us.
We are in a good place in that my wife's cancer is stable but it took a long time to get there and lots of help. Do reach out on here whenever as someone is always listening and perhaps together we can help each other when things seem more bleak.
<<hugs>>
Steve
