Hi my name is Lisa, I’m 32 and my Dad has suspected Lung Cancer.
So my Dad is a 55 year old smoker. He has quite an extensive medical history. He also suffers from chronic COPD.
In late December he started to experience coughing up blood so he contacted his GP who sent him for an urgent X-ray. The X-ray showed an abnormal shadow in the top lobe of the left lung.
As a result of their findings he was referred on a 2 week rule to the respiratory doctors. This was on 6th January.
He has a CT with contrast where the determined further tests were required. He is having a PET scan today and we will have to wait until next Monday’s MDT for any results.
It’s been 6 weeks since the 2 week rule referral and I don’t feel we are an closer to knowing. All they have said is we are worried. He has been given a Macmillan lung cancer CNS.
In November 20 he had an ankle fusion which still hasn’t healed. He has also mentioned he can’t push himself in his wheelchair as far and is struggling to breathe at night.
Not too sure what I’m looking for but I’m worried and this situation is causing me so much anxiety.
Hi Loopyloo53, and welcome to the group, but sorry to hear about your Dad.
The first few weeks whilst waiting for all the tests to be done, and then the results, does seem to take forever. You are sat at home, wondering what is taking so long, but we do not see what is going on, with scans needing reporting, and the oncology team working hard to get the right treatment plan for us. Covid has made things much slower than normal, but it seems like your Dad is on track with his diagnoses which is good.
It is so hard to say what is making your Dad more breathless, whether it is the COPD, cancer or, like myself anxiety makes my breathing worse.
Caring for a loved one with cancer is extremely stressful, and you must make sure to look after yourself as well. You can look at joining the family-and-friends-forum which is a very supportive group, with people in a similar situation to yourself.
Good luck with your Dads results. Please let us know how he gets on.
Take care
