Lung Cancer

On the contrary there's loads of people on here who have been through some treatment and that's it.  Many people living with cancer.  

There's a frequent discussion on the terminology for this situation.  I regard my situation as "not curable, but treatable".  I had some treatment to manage the cancer.  It shrunk and now it's time to stop the drugs and see what happens next.  I may live for a long time or it may start growing again.   When I was diagnosed my oncologist took great care to describe the situation and approach as "incurable but treatable".   This isn't "terminal" - that's much nearer the end game when the onco can diagnose a deterioration.  

Years ago, treatment wasn't as advanced, but now the treatment today can be so effective, that people can live with cancer for many years.   People were labelled "terminal" but then went on to live for 10+ years.  That time frame cannot be terminal, by definition! I'm sure some of the others will post their stories soon.  That's the origin for this "incurable but treatable" terminology.  

Give it time to sink in and for you to get your head around it.   There's always someone around here to talk.  

Well done for getting through chemo.

I am so sorry to read about your situation. It is completely normal to feel sad about it. It is the grieving process that everyone will experience. I think overtime you will accept your situation and move on. But be kind to yourself .  

Could you ask your CNS to refer you to the local hospice. My local one runs a living well with life limiting condition program. I have attended it and find it really helpful. It offers a wide range of programs from practical ie Wills , to psychological help, exercise, and complementary therapy. I also met people with different conditions and really enjoyed myself. It also breaks the worry about hospice, death etc. 

This must be extremely hard to cope, just take your time and be gentle with yourself .

Take care x

First of all welcome to the group and I am sorry you find yourself here. The word ‘terminal’ was never used with me, although it does seem to be used interchangeably with stage 4, secondary and metastatic, all of which I accept apply to me. Incurable also applies, although I hope my current remission remains durable. So unless you are deteriorating and can see the end in sight, try not to get too hooked up on the language that has been used. Your diagnosis is going to take time to settle with you. I really thought my days were numbered when I received mine, but it hasn’t turned out that way despite a few difficult complications on the way. Hoping you can find some head space to enjoy your life. It is tough. Hopefully they will continue to monitor you and there will be other treatments when needed.

Hi Ginge,

A warm welcome to the group! As Mmum said, you just have to get on with your life and deal with anything that turns up, if it does! I too have had treatment for incurable cancer and when I stopped the medication, like you, it felt like Limbo as no one knew what would happen and my oncologist said rather than jump at the next possible treatment, we will “Wait & Watch” for a while and see what happens. Well I stopped treatment (apart from pain killing drugs) in Oct 2016! So please don’t cry and think ‘ what will I do today’ it is much better!