In December 2019 doctors at Doncaster royal infirmary told me that I have cancer in my lungs and that my life expectancy was between five and twelve months. This was one week before Christmas, I was devastated, I am a widower and I was due travel to my daughters to spend Christmas with her and my grandchildren. Because I didn’t want to spoil her Christmas I didn’t tell her until the new year. Obviously I eventually returned home , and it was difficult living alone and having this prognosis hanging over my head. When you have no one to talk to it is a bad time.
eventually I was sent to Weston Park specialist cancer hospital in Sheffield. The team there, led by professor Jonathan Wadsley, decided that the prognosis was wrong. I have a cancer in my lungs that has spread from a cancerous thyroid gland, and whilst it is incurable it is treatable.
Every six months I go for a course of radioactive iodine treatment which suppresses the cancer and prevents it from growing. Currently I feel better than I ever thought I could and am looking forward the future optimistically. I’ve booked a cruise for October, if all other things permit.
Hi Old Al and good to see the news you have received about your type of cancer. I also have an incurable but treatable cancer so I do understand the journey you are on.
Talking with others who are walking the same type of cancer treatment journey will help you navigate this challenging time. The Community is organised into support groups so can I recommend you join our supportive Lung, secondary cancer and Thyroid cancer groups, this will be a good place to connect with patients and families navigating the same type of cancer journey.
To join a group just click on the link above then choose 'click to join' or 'join' (depending on the device you're using) on the page that opens.
You can then introduce yourself by putting up a ‘New Thread’ or hit the box with the X on the top right (phones), you could just copy and paste the text from this your first post. You can also join in with existing ‘Discussions’ by clicking on 'reply'.
It’s always good to talk and the Macmillan Support Services provides lots of information, support, financial guidance or just a listening ear.
Most services are open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week and it's free to call on 0808 808 00 00 have a look by Clicking here to see what is available and we also have our Ask an Expert section, but do allow two working days for replies from our expert team.
To find information covering diagnosis, treatments and pages covering most types of cancers can be found on our Online Information and Support Section.
All the very best
