In February, my mum was involved in a road traffic collision which led to multiple trips to A&E, after being given the all clear we went home so that my mum could try & recover from the help of her sisters, me & my brother. After the accident she was told that she would suffer with a chest infection due to the trauma to her chest.
February 12th, 2024. We went to the GP surgery as my mum was struggling with her breathing due to the chest infection, the Dr immediately sent us back to A&E with a suspected bloody clot on her lung, after 19 hours.. chest X-rays, bloods & CT scan, the Dr confirmed that there was no blood clot on her lung but she did come across a 1.3cm nodule on her right lung, she seemed concerned & I suffer with anxiety as it is, so I came right out with it & asked if she thought it was cancer. She explained that she was concerned that it may be something sinister, as my mum had a CT scan 12 months prior & the module was not there. We were referred to the chest clinic and they got the ball rolling, they sent her for a PET scan and it came up that the nodules were feeding off the radioactive sugar and was told by the consultant that they’re 85% sure it’s cancer but would like to confirm with a biopsy.
Fast forward to April 4th, 2024. We went back to see the consultant for the biopsy results. We walked in the room & there was a surgeon sat with our consultant, I felt sick & alone and I tried really hard to be strong for my mum. They confirmed a diagnosis of Stage 1 Lung Cancer. Since coming home, I have family members who tell me how lucky we are that it’s stage 1 and I hate to be negative but I’ve just been told my mums got cancer, I can’t look into the positive. Her husband is leaving, we are selling our forever home, I’m 23 and have a large support network. I feel that I can’t speak with my support network, I feel as though i should remain strong for my mum. When I’m alone all I do is cry, I don’t make time for myself because I’m constantly by my mums side (I wouldn’t have it any other way)
She’s my world & my best friend and I can’t help but think if there are any complications she might face in the surgery. I’ll never live with myself knowing she’s not here. I’ve basically come here because I just need some advice how can I continue?
Hi, I was diagnosed with a small T2a M0 N0 upper left lung adenocarcinoma last September, and after the usual investigations of numerous CT scans, PET scan and lung biopsy I was offered surgery. After spending a weekend researching the risks and complications of surgery, which is major surgery, I refused it, and after a long detailed discussion with my Oncologist I requested SABR. I began treatment, which involved two and half weeks every other day of SABR radiotherapy. I had my radiotherapy planning CT and tattooing on the 21 November 2023 and began SABR treatment on the 28 November 2023 - in total eight treatment sessions, ending on the 15 December 2023 with virtually no side effects, mainly just fatigue, I felt back to normal after about two months.
I had my follow up CT scan on the 18 March 2024 and outpatient appointment with the Oncologist on the 2 April for the results. Apparently the lesion (it is only called a tumour if 3cm and above) has shrunk by 50%, bearing in mind that SABR carries on working in the body for up to four months after treatment finishes, and also the Oncologist said it can take up to 6-12 months for the cancer cells to die off completely as SABR attacks the DNA of cancer cells causing them to slowly die off. He was very reassuring and said I was having a positive reaction to SABR - he also said because radiotherapy produces scarring of the area treated, (this will resolve in time) this can give an obscured view and that future CT scans give a clearer picture.
Anyway, I thought I would have a repeat follow up CT in three months, but the Oncologist said because everything looks - in his words "hunky dory" and the SABR has worked, I do not need another follow up CT for another six months - the relief was tremendous, I now have a whole six months to enjoy the Summer without worry.
Very best wishes, and anything you want to ask me regarding SABR, please feel free.
Ann 
