Confused

Have you had any appts regarding your chest ? Or seen any dr’s ?  Sorry I don’t mean to sound patrionising, but I know I forgot a few important my pulmonologist told me. Have you tried calling either discipline to get more clarity ? Wishing you all the very best xx

thank you so much for replying all I’ve had so far is a CT scan that confirmed lung cancer. I have not spoken with anyone at all just got appointment letters yesterday and today. I no nothing about my situation at all. You do not sound patronising at all I am very pleased you responded. I have no idea what questions to ask or who to ask them of

Just to share my experience , I had been referred to a pulmonologist when a CT scan (for another reason) picked up 9mm nodule in my right lung. Pulmonologist explained these can be quite common but it would be followed up by a repeat scan in 6months. The nodule had grown by 3 mm & I was further sent for a PET scan 2 weeks later. This showed definite uptake of the radio opaque dye. I was referred to a cardio thoracic surgeon who initially explained the nodule was to deep for a needle biopsy & needed a frozen section be taken under GA, should the nodule be found malignant he would (with my consent to a lobectomy) I had my surgery yesterday & indeed needed a lobectomy, thankfully my cancer was in the early stages. I had no chest symptoms, cough etc, although I do have asthma. Your situation may be completely different. I would initially phone the Dr for more information as to why you have been referred both to their service & palliative team. They are usually very helpful & im sure they would be able to help you. We are all here to support each other & hope you get some answers xx

Thats confusing, but I would wait till you have seen your consultant on the 5th Jan and see what treatment he is going to offer you. Have you had a scan yet ?

Thank you for your advise, I’ve had a ct scan so far

Hi Hamhat, I would call your GP and ask him to explain this to you. This is not the correct procedure at all, they have a pathway that has to be followed, and something has gone wrong here. Frustrating that the surgery will probably be closed until Tuesday, but please call them. 

Thank you chelle for your advise. I will give them a call as soon as they open. Nothing has been explained to me so far so I don’t know what a pathway is. Sorry if I sound stupid 

Thank you for sharing your experience. I will give them a call when it is possible. It being new year I suspect it will be a skeleton staff.

You don’t sound stupid at all! Sorry I should of explained more. The NHS have steps they have to follow in the diagnoses process of cancer.  This is called the Pathway. So from the initial suspicion of cancer you are on this pathway. Each test you have will decide which pathway your investigation of cancer then follows. 

It is the responsibility of your oncology team to explain to you all of the findings from these tests and tell you in person or sometimes now because of covid over the telephone, what cancer type they have found, what stage, and what treatment plan they have for you. This is always done after all of your tests are done and your oncology team hold what is called an MDT meeting. Here your oncologist will meet with other health professionals who will discuss your tests results and decide what treatment is best for you. You will be told the outcome of this MDT very soon after it is held, sometimes the same day.

The other thing to remember is Palliative care does not always mean end of life care. 
Palliative care can include physicians, nurses, occupational and physical therapists, psychologists, social workers, and dieticians. They can help with pain relief to help living with this awful disease much more manageable. 

Your GP would of also received these letters that you have, so I think it will beneficial for you to talk to him. 

I hope this helps, I know how scared you must be feeling because of all of this. Anytime you want to talk to someone, the Macmillan support line is open 7 days a week from 8am until 8pm on 0808 808 00 00.