Hi
I‘m 58 and was diagnosed with Stage 3 NSLC in Aug 2021. I’m a non smoker but had radiotherapy for Hodgkin’s lymphoma when I was 21 and so scaring from this May have caused the lung cancer. I Had a third of lung removed followed by 4 cycles of chemo as had gone into one of my lymph nodes which was also removed during surgery. October 2023 was found to have had a recurrence 10mm in lymph node where surgical clips were put in. Had 2 rounds of chemo and finished 27 fractions of radiotherapy on 9th January. Feeling good apart from fatigue and my breathing feels congested and I feel a bit wheezy when I wake up. I had slight anaemia on last blood tests on 9th Jan so I’ve requested more tests to see if still the case as this may be impacting my breathing or assuming it is also a post radiotherapy side effect. I’ve got a CT scan on 30th Jan and the nurse has also booked a blood test for me. Has anyone else had this experience post radiotherapy? I am due to start immunotherapy (Durvalumab every 28 days) but I’m more scared about this than anything I’ve been through- I’m going back to the office to work on 12th Feb and I’m hoping I can manage the side effects of Durvalumab- is there anyone on this treatment that can share their experience? I know we are all unique in our responses to drugs and treatment but I feel like I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place- dammed if I do and dammed if I don’t. Thanks for reading my long post x
Hello Mamajulie
I have just read your post and can fully understand your concerns about returning to work and the possible side effects. I have a different cancer so I can't answer your question, so by me replying your post will be "bumped" back to the top of the forum and seen by other members of the Community who should be ablet to give you the information you need.
I wish you well with your CT and Bloods on 30th
Best wishes - Brian.
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Hi Mamajulie I haven’t had immunotherapy but I have had radiotherapy, and the tiredness you are experiencing from that is very normal. As you only finished that on the 9th January, the radiotherapy is still building up in your body. For me, the tiredness increased for weeks after the treatment had finished, until I felt it peak, and then started to go down the other side. It was a good 3 months before I started to feel “normal” again. As for the breathing, I would mention this to your lung nurse. My radiotherapy was a long time ago, but i do remember contacting my lung nurse because of my breathing post treatment. I think that radiotherapy can make everything swell, so this may be the case, but worth mentioning. I remember my lung nurse telling me to do my breathing exercises, and then when I got off the phone I thought “what breathing exercises?” But the feeling must of passed quickly as I never phoned her back.
As you say every one has different experiences with treatment, so I think you won’t know how you will react to the immunotherapy until you try. But what I have heard from other members is that it is not as bad as chemo.
Going back to work may be hard, but it will give you some normality and routine back. Your work will have to allow you to make adjustments to your role under the disability act, so make sure you are returning on your terms.
Good luck with it all.
