Hi
I had lung cancer and am currently undergoing chemo. I have had 3 rounds and only one more to complete. I can confirm I was a smoker.
My concern is, quite frankly I smell for about a week/week and a half after treatment. It is an awful smell and I can't describe it, it's not like anything I've smelt before. I can also taste it. My pillow is constantly in the wash as I leave an oily residue on it, which also smells. The smell is very pungent, quite chewy lol.
Also, before and during surgery there was a blue tinge coming out of my face, like the colour of mouthwash. It was noticeable when I rinsed my flannel.
My worry is that, unknowingly, I may have been exposed to airborne chemicals for 20 years.
I have spoken to doctors and nurses about my concerns, but they dont seem to know where to go with this. Am I being paranoid?
Sorry for the essay, I have so many questions lol.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Jeanette1 and a very warm welcome to the Macmillan Community but sorry to hear about your diagnosis and your ongoing journey.
Navigating a cancer journey can be such a stressful and challenging time but getting support from people who have walked or are walking the ‘exact same' journey can help a lot.
I have a completely different (incurable) cancer….. first diagnosed way back in 1999. I have had over 800hrs of chemo over my time, I am not a smoker but I can recognise the odd smells at times….. the chemo gets ‘into the pours of your skin’…. Where your blood flows so does the chemo…. But this all cleared up once I was finished treatments…… and yes, unfortunately everyone will be exposed to airborne chemicals at some point in their lives.
This New to Community area is like our reception desk where we look to try and direct you to the best part of the Community for you to get support.
The Community is actually divided into dedicated Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) so can I recommend that you look to join and put up your own post in our dedicated 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. To connect in with the group please click on the link below…….
……. and once the group page opens you will see a [Black - Click to Join - Banner] at the bottom of the page, click in this box and this will then confirm that you have joined the group.
You can then introduce yourself to the group by putting up your very own post by clicking [+ Create new post] or [+] in the top right of the group page.
You can copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.
The Macmillan Support Line is open between 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00…… this service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits/financial guidance or just a listening ear.
We also have our Ask an Expert section but do allow 3 working days for a reply.
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.
Do get back to me if you need further help navigating the community.
