Hello everyone my name is Kerry, I hope you are all keeping as well as you can
I don't know where to start really, I had that horrible flu bug over Christmas & NY that later developed into pneumonia. After a course of antibiotics I started to feel better, but a couple of week's later I could barely breathe, I went back to my doctor who referred me for further X-Rays which showed my left lung was extremely cloudy is the word they used. I was advised to attend A&E to avoid delay.
I was admitted to hospital as my left pleura was full of fluid, I had a chest drain fitted and over a 9 day stay in hospital just shy of 4 litres of fluid was removed. My doctors said I was extremely unlucky and had a lung infection that would go away with a stronger 4 week course of antibiotics.
I was discharged from hospital on the 11th February feeling great and had a follow up appointment on the 14th February and am so glad my husband came with me as I was then told that I had Metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung (spread to bones) Stage 4 lung cancer!! I was in total shock as I had no symptoms at all and the doctors also said they were not expecting these results. I lost my mum to Stage 4 lung cancer on her 60th birthday, I am 52 and they think it could be genetic which scares the hell out of me as I have 2 daughters.
I seen my oncologist 2 weeks later and started immunotherapy and chemotherapy exactly 3 weeks after diagnosis for which I am grateful that it happened so quickly as I know some people sadly wait a lot longer. I do not have the gene mutation for frontline targeted therapy but have been advised it could be used as a second line of attack if you will.
My 2nd course of treatment is this Friday, I have it every 3 weeks for 4 cycles and I don't know if it's because I know its coming up again but all of a sudden over the last few days I feel so anxious and tearful. Up until now I have coped very well and tried to remain upbeat as I normally would (am not a glass half empty type of person)
Has anyone else got the same as me that could give me a bit of hope for the future love & healing wishes to all.
Hi Kerry,
I was diagnosed with throat cancer (larynx) last August. The subsequent scans revealed a second primary lung cancer (neuroendocrine adenocarcinoma), both classified as stage 3. That was followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy for the neck as that was judged to be the biggest imminent danger. Now doing immunotherapy for the lung but suffering side effects in the form of stomach problems, way forward uncertain but still apparently stable.
It all happened so quickly with me that I had no time to feel emotional or anxious. Coping with the initial momentous changes seemed to override any instability. Maybe that's what has happened with you? Now, only usually having to go for treatment every 3 weeks, I have time to think again. Not always good but I have no pronounced symptoms as such and try and live as I did pre-diagnosis for as long as possible. Being an upbeat person, you will find ways to deal with it all and perservere!
Patrick xx
Hi Patrick,
I think you have hit the nail on the head, I have had no time to process what I have and because I have just been carrying on regardless if you will, it has hit home that I am going for my treatment again tomorrow.
I need to put my big girl pants on and get on with it
I hope your journey is kind to you and you continue to live your life to the fullest.
Kerry xx
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