Hello,
I know every hospital must work differently but just wanted to see if anyone could help?
On my mums discharge letter it said ‘…mass in left suprahilar region with extension and associated metastatic mediastinal lymphadenopathy…’
They had the MDT meeting (I think) today where she’s subsequently received a pdf letter asking her to attend an appointment with a respiratory consultant in 2 weeks.
1. what does the discharge letter mean?
2. How come she would be seeing respiratory consultant and not oncology? Is this normal?
3. Is it likely that the meeting with the respiratory consultant will give us more details about the cancer/suspected grade etc.
4. My mum seems concerned because it seems a long time to wait and she thinks lung cancer is aggressive in its growth is this true?
Sorry for all the questions xx
Hi PalmtreesandSunshine so sorry to hear about this recent news with your mum.
You have mentioned a discharge letter? So I guess mum has been to A&E? If this is the case, and mums cancer has been “diagnosed” after a recent admission, then the next step is for mum to go onto the 2 week cancer pathway. I know you may think this is odd as you have already been told she has cancer, but there are lots of box’s that need to be ticked now before mum gets to see an oncologist. The first appointment is with respiratory, where all of the base line tests are done. There will be lots of tests to come I am sorry to say, a CT, possibly a biopsy before a MDT meeting can take place. It is only after all of these tests are complete will you find out what type and stage the cancer is. It does feel like a long winded process to get to that point, but these appointments will come very quickly, it’s just the waiting for results is a very anxious time.
This process is very normal. My GP phoned me to tell me I had lung cancer after having a chest X-ray. I too then had to wait to see the respiratory doctor, who did not fill me with much confidence I am sorry to say. It was only once I met my oncologist did I get a proper understanding of what was happening and what to expect.
I know how anxious you and mum will be, please do feel free to come and chat here whenever you want, and you can also get support from the Macmillan support line on 0808 808 00 00.
