Hi,
As you probably guessed my name is Steve, I'm nearly 67 years old.
Tomorrow, 18th Feb, it will be 3 years since our 31 year old son passed away form bowl cancer
Yesterday I was told that I had lung cancer, different type in each lung. Next Thursday I'm going to have the camera down my throat thingy, or as the doctor rather insensitively called it 'a telescope'.
I haven't been in hospital for over 20 years and the last time I saw a GP was about 6 years ago so this is all very new and frightening for me.
After seeing my GP with shortness of breath, lack of energy etc. I had an x-ray and I could tell by the nurses reaction that it wasn't good new.
I was sent for a CT scan a couple of days later and being very worried about this asked my duty doctor for something to help with my anxiety. He gave me 6 tablets Diazepam with a warning that they are very addictive. My first though was that if I'm that ill getting addicted to Diazepam is probably the least of my worries!
I don't know if it's because I'm a full time carer for my disabled wife or just my situation but I've been told by my GP that if call for whatever reason to tell the receptionist that I'm on the special care board, so no more getting the third degree from the 'gatekeeper'!
No doubt over the next few weeks I'll have a few question and I'll try to ask the in the right place, for now thanks for reading.
Hi Steve Beadle1 and a warm welcome to the Online Community but so sorry to hear about your diagnoses and also sorry to hear about the lose of your son.
As you know the cancer journey can be such a stressful and challenging time but you have done the right thing in reaching out to a place where you can ask questions and getting support from others who are on the ‘exact’ same cancer journey.
The Community is actually divided into support groups (discussion rooms) so can I recommend you join and post in our supportive Lung Cancer support group. This group is a safe place to talk to others with a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support.
If you'd like to connect in with a group click on the (Bold) Group Text Link I have created above. Once the group page opens click on the black banner that says [click to join] at the bottom, or the [Join] button under "Group tools."
You can then introduce yourself by putting up a ‘new post’ by clicking in the box near the top right with + New or + (Depending on the device you are using) and you are ready to go. You could copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.
The Macmillan Support Line is open from 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00 where you can talk with someone about specific cancer and practical information, get emotional support, benefits/financial guidance or just connect with a listening ear.
We also have our Ask an Expert section but do allow a few working days for a reply.
We also have our Telephone Buddy Service where you can be matched with someone who understands what you're going through, and they'll give you a weekly call.
Talking to people face to face can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing and aim to give support to all the family.
Do get back to me if you need further help.
