Second opinion?

FormerMember
FormerMember
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Hello - this is my first post. My husband has lung cancer and has completed his chemotherapy and is due to have radiotherapy, starting on Monday 28th Feb. The CT scan that he had after the chemo was encouraging and he was told that he could choose between a 2 1/2 week course of radiotherapy which would just control the cancer, or a more aggressive intensive course of radiotherapy for 6 1/2 weeks that would give a 1 in 4 chance of a cure. He chose to have the intensive course and all the dates were scheduled in. We were feeling that although it would be a rough ride, it was worth taking a chance if there might be the possibility of a cure, however slight. But after he had the CT scan to position the radiotherapy we were called back into the hospital to see the consultant. She said that the scan shows that it has spread and there is now water in the lung. There have only been 17 days between the 2 scans, so it came as a huge shock. Should we ask for a second opinion? If so, how would we go about it?  Would more chemotherapy before the radiotherapy be an option? I guess they would have suggested it if it was possible but we're just looking for any small hope. Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance  Slight smile

  • Hi Jeanie3

    Welcome.

    what a shock massive shock......... for us trusting the professionals who are dealing with my husbands lung cancer is where we are putting our faith. Yes sometimes you hear where they have got it wrong but for us( and all of us on here) we have to deal with an entirely new, frightening, dreadful, scary, time. A time when none of us hoped we would find ourselves in.

    All I can say personally is talk to your consultant lay your cards on the table tell him/ her what you are thinking of doing and go from there, or speak to your Macmillan nurse about your concerns........ don’t be tempted to find your answers on the internet...... that is fatal!

    Only my opinion everyone is different

    Good Luck take care

    Bess

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to Bess

    Thanks so much for your reply Bess. I would normally have asked the consultant but I suddenly feel like that avenue is closed. I will talk to the MacMillan nurses tomorrow and see what they say. I think we were so surprised at this sudden turn of events that we couldn't think straight at the consultation. Definitely need to ask some questions. Thanks again. X

  • Hi Jeanie3 I am so sorry to hear this about your husband.  Just when you think you have a plan you get something else thrown at you.  With such a short gap in between scans this must of come as such a shock.

    Everyone is entitled to ask for a 2nd opinion. The best person to speak to about this is actually your oncologist. Do not think they will take offence by you asking, they are more than used to people asking this question, and they are the best person to refer you for this.  It may just be that you need to sit with your husbands consultant and go through the scans with her, now that the news has sunk in you may find it easier to talk about the situation. When we first hear news like this, we tend not to take all the information in, so you might find a second appointment with the oncologist beneficial. 

    Wishing you and your husband all the very best. Let us know how you get on x 

    “Try to be a rainbow, in somebody else's cloud” ~ Maya Angelou
    Chelle 

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  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to chellesimo

    Thank you so much - that makes perfect sense. I was worried about causing offence to the oncologist consultant, but of course it's not an unreasonable request and we were too shocked to ask questions at the time. She must be used to that, as you say. I'll see if I can make an appointment to see her. Thank you.