Hello. My amazing mum (74) was diagnosed with a lesion on her right lung last week - after being admitted with unexplained chronic stomach pain. This is after years of breathing issues which, after numerous lung X-rays and a scan five years ago, were put down to scarring in the lung from pneumonia, and it was categorically confirmed not cancer. Last year she was diagnosed with CKD when her kidneys were found to be shrivelling after a routine blood test and subsequent scan - and they confirmed may explain her ongoing breathlessness. Lungs didn’t factor into thought again.
The lung lesion last week was spotted on an MRI/CT scan along with suspicious nodules on her adrenal glands, I suppose quite by chance as they investigated her stomach pains which seemed without explanation - and high white blood count. They then performed a PET scan which they have now said confirms it’s cancer in her lung and they “believe” it has spread to her adrenal glands. No evidence anywhere else at present (the worry was of course the stomach) although they are considering her blood work and whether it may be in her blood.
It’s all been a bit of a blur this week; as it’s gone from suspected, to lesion, to cancer, to suspected spread and being told it’s “incurable” but now they’ve said they want a biopsy of the adrenal glands and then the MDT will meet on Monday to discuss possible treatment options and next steps.
We feel very confused because despite awaiting the MDT meeting and further tests and biopsies, in the meantime she’s been spoken to by pallative care asking her about end of life choices and DNR which completely tipped her over the edge as she was still processing having cancer. She’s taken that as confirmation of her death sentence and her mood has now dipped towards accepting her fate rather than fight when has both broken me and angered me in equal measure.
It just feels like we are swinging between one consultant saying “go home and spend time with your family” and “incurable” and “pallative care” to another saying “we still await a number of results before we can establish a plan and know what we are dealing with” and “incurable doesn’t mean no treatment - there may always be options”. She’s not yet seen an oncologist or anything. All those involved so far have been gastroenterologists (due to the stomach pain - which they’ve said doesn’t appear to be linked to this diagnosis).
I suppose I’m just seeking some re assurance. It’s all feeling very new, overwhelming and very scary - someone sat in a room and said cancer but we know no more than that, yet we discuss end of life?
We are absolutely devastated - and despite being realistic about the likelihood of this being lung cancer with spread to her adrenal glands, the hopeful part of us wants her to remain positive and willing to fight for whatever chance there may be but talk of end of life choices seems to have her now resigned to being terminal and having little time left despite this still not being confirmed.
Does this all sound normal? Are they trying to prepare us for what’s very likely in their experience but hasn’t been confirmed beyond any real doubt by tests and scans? I understand the prognosis can be poor for a lung spread but then I read stories here of people on their second third and forth rounds of treatment months and years later - and I think all is not lost.
Thankyou - and love and light to anyone who is fighting or has a loved one fighting cancer 
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Hi there
I am really sorry to hear about your mums diagnosis.
I have been on a similar journey.
We have just had confirmed today that my mum, aged 77 has stage 4 cancer spread into lymphs. we knew that she had lung cancer a few weeks back but found out today re staging. I am so devastated and scared as this really did come out of the blue just after Xmas. My mum is a very young 77 year old who aside from tiredness, you wouldn’t know she was ill!!
We had our meeting with the oncologist and she is to start a 12 week program of chemo and immunotherapy. I live in sydney- I extended my stay once I knew re these issues. I have 2 kids is working out when is a good time to go back and then I return in June.
I am reading eagerly the responses and looking for some hope- thank you for those who have responded.
sending good vibes and best wishes to you ️
