I am on the palliative pathway for inoperable lung cancer. I can deal with most things but there are two that impact me everyday. Firstly washing my hair - we have a walk in shower but it's too small for my husband to come in to help me, I also can't stand for long due to arthritis. Secondly, the green oxygen hose that lies around on every floor just waiting to trip the unwary - usually me.
Just general moans I know but I'd be interested to see if anyone had solved them.
Also is there any way of getting some kind of prognosis, I was seen in hospital, then sent home with the words 'we can't do anything' surely there must be more information. My father-in -law in the USA had the same inoperable diagnosis as me but he's now on immunotherapy. Is this not available and, if it is, why wasn't I offered it?
Oh Kate that sounds awful that you’ve been left this way
I was diagnosed with Stage 1V LC inoperable but treatable in Jan. breathing was awful, lungs sounded awful and was struggling to breathe . I’ve had 6 courses of immunotherapy and breathing is good . I can inhale and exhale with no cough etc .
My current problem is mets spread to spine and showering is a problem . Very painful . I manage to lean back on a chair but can’t get my hair washed 
. I can stand over a sink short time but it has to be quick .
You must speak to your oncologist . Surely they can help .My GP phones me every week and I get two calls a week from my oncology busters . They are trying to sort out my pain management in a very good way . Lots of liquid morphine and MST also new pain killers.
Please get some help xxx
Hi Kate1953 I can understand your frustrations and I am glad you have reached out here. Have you had a visit from an occupational therapist? They can not only help with equipment in your house to help you with things like showering but also can advise on how to approach a task differently. You can arrange a visit through your GP.
I don’t know if you are aware, but everyone is entitled to a 2nd opinion. Now I guess that at the time of your diagnoses and being told “there is nothing we can do” your mind really wasn’t in the right head space to think about questions to ask. I can understand how overwhelming these appointments can be, and it does sound like you were sent home without any information. This is what I would do. I would contact my GP and tell him you want a 2nd opinion. Tell him you feel that your condition wasn’t explained properly and you do not feel that all treatment options were explored. Put your questions in writing to take with you, because I know I forget what I wanted to say and as soon as I have left the building I always remember, and then it’s too late.
Unfortunately I believe we are our own advocates, and sometimes we have to shout the loudest to get heard.
