Hi eveyone
Bit of background info ~ My mum (79) lives with myself, my husband and our two girls, R 15 and A 9.
In November 2020 my mum was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer (adenocarcinoma) after a routine blood test sent red flags to her GP. She had an upper right lobectomy in January 2021 and competed 4 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy once her wound had healed (vinorelbine and carboplatin) she was as having regular chest x rays and cts and all was looking good until February this year when a chest X-ray showed an enlargement of a nodule and mediastinal nodes but after speaking to colleagues they decided that it didn’t warrant an early Ct. Fast forward to sept when she had her regular chest X-ray and the consultant was concerned by what he saw, so sent for an urgent CT. A couple of days after the CT we went to A&E because she had severe back pain, but they gave codeine and said to mention to consultant or GP. When we went for results the consultant said it was inconclusive and that it could be cancer but could be scarring etc. I asked if it was the nodule that had grown in February but weren’t concerned about and he said yes. So they ordered a PET scan. Results were just over a week ago and it’s not good news. The cancer has returned to the lower right lobe, the mediastinum, and has spread to liver and bones. They’ve said she can’t have surgery and it can’t be treated. Apparently she is EGFR positive which is a gene mutation so can hopefully have a targeted treatment, he kept emphasising short term. We see the oncologist on the 14th Nov so will hopefully know a bit more then. I’m not sure where it is in the bones and I will ask that question when we go. But she does keep getting random pain in joints and arm. Her legs have swelled up which I’ve read is from the mets on the liver and she’s got a cough which doesn’t sound great. Also she eats little meals as she says it struggles to go down. I’m completely devastated and had a little breakdown yesterday so have had 2 days off from work to give myself some time to regain my strength. I’m also thinking of questions to ask when we see the oncologist.
Hi Mumof2RA, I am sorry to hear about your mums lung cancer reoccurrence. You really do have a lot going on, with 2 young children, work and mums news, I think it will do you good to take a little break from work. It is really important that you look after yourself, whilst you are caring for mum.
There are support groups here in the online community, for people who are caring for loved ones, that you may find beneficial. There you will find other people who are going through a similar situation to yourself. I will pop the links below for you.
There are a few people in the group that have are EGFR positive, so hopefully someone will be along soon to share their experience with you. The next couple of weeks are not going to be easy whilst you wait to see the oncologist. We seem to do a lot of waiting in between tests and results, but we never get used to it.
Hi Chelle
Thank you for your reply, it certainly has helped having a few days off. I’ve actually told work I’ll be back Thursday.
I will look at the support groups. Thank you 
Hi mum of 2Ra. I was diagnosed with stage 4 metatastic lung lung cancer in December 21. It had spread to my liver, spleen, bones and lymph nodes. It was inoperable and incurable. But I did have the EFGR gene which meant I was offered targeted therapy. I could have taken the standard treatment osertimibib but opted for a phase three trial of a new targeted therapy drug. I only need to attend hosp
al once a month and I am on cycle 23 of 24. My total body cancer in that time has reduced by 60% and it has remained stable for the last 4 months. I have also been told I can remain on the treatmentntil my cancer shows progression. I have suffered side effects neuropathy in my feet and legs and some weight gain which is probably due to the fact I live a much slower lifestyle but remain active rking 2 days and volunteering for three. I have no doubt my treatment has enabled a longer quality of life.I accept this is the new me and will push on until I reach that crossroads of having to makother choices. I have been blessed with a longer time with family and I am making the most of it. Of course every patient is different and not all patients on the trial have responded the same but your mum has the EFGR gene that is something to celebrate. Hope this helps
