Hello .

Hiya donste 

im so sorry you have been diagnosed with this . And of corse it is heart breaking, 

my mum to has stage 4 lung cancer, in her left corner of her lung and spotting on her adrenal Gland, 

My mum sounds like she has been offered same treatment as you ,  my mum started hers on the 2nd of June, she went in the hospital and it was administered by a drip over a corse of 4:5 hours 2 lots of chemo and the immunotherapy,  every 21 days, so her 2nd treatment will be next week and shes been told 4 rounds, 

I know this is daunting and scary, but I have read some amazing positive stories on here of people in the same position who are living healthy life’s with lung cancer, and having immunotherapy after the chemo , to keep the cancer at bay, 

Once you have the first treatment you kind of just go with it,   It’s the unknown , that’s scary, 

You can always call the Macmillan nurses and they are very helpful with information on treatment, 

also so many people on this site aswell, who have lots of information and experience.  I wish I could be more help, 

I just wanted to say hi, 

xxxx 

Hi, I’m 72 and been on Chemo this last 18 Months. (I’ve had 25 now). Have just completed my 2nd Blood Transfusion because my energy levels have been so low. In relation to the Chemo, (every 21 days), any ill effects don’t normally kick in until the 6th/7th day when all of a sudden my energy levels plummet. They last for approx 1 week and then I am back to normal. I have always been very fit throughout my life and continue to try and live that regime of walking and generally staying fit. I’ve also been on immunotherapy.  I truly believe that a “Positive Attitude “ helps in all this. I refuse to bow down and allow my cancer (Non Small Cell - Stage 4 lung cancer) to control everything. My cancer had spread to a tumour  in my neck but after 5 Treatments of Radiotherapy, it had shrunk to such an extent that it is not measurable. My CT scans are also showing “No Discernible Measurement” so I am feeling very positive. You must do the same.  Incidentally, just for your info. I have made notes of everything that has gone on, this last 18 months. It helps me, to look back to see what and when things have happened. You may choose to do the same. Hope all goes well for you. 

Thankyou I feel so afraid at the moment and that’s not normally me I guess because I feel fit and well at the moment I don’t  to feel unwell on the treatment.  So sorry to hear about your mum please let me know how she gets on as it seems I will be getting the same treatment.

MrMek you have a the kind of attitude I need to achieve instead of crying and feeling anxious all the time. I too have always been very fit and an avid walker I just need to try and process the situation as I still can’t believe it.

Hi Donste,

Sorry you find yourself here, but also a good place to talk about this and with people who know what you are going through.  I was disagnosed with lung cancer last August and after the PET scan they found I had unrelated breast cancer too.  The lung was treated with 4 cycles of chemo and 6.5 weeks of radiotherapy which worked for the shrinking of the tumour in my lung but unfortunately had spread to my adrenals so now stage 4.  After treatment stopped mid-Dec the breast tumour grew quite quickly and having had that removed in Feb, 2 weeks later I started immunotherapy which I find out this week if it is working.  Although I did get tired with the chemo and radiotherapy, I only got sick on the 3rd cycle (due more to being blocked up as I was taking codeine), I was more concerned that my sense of smell went into overdrive mainly over bleach and lamb chops....   The treatment does seem overwhelming and scarey, the only thing i felt I could do was to keep active, keep eating and keep going (though some days take more energy to do this than others).  I have had pain in my shoulder (which started this all off) but not really felt 'ill' as such, tired, fed up and takes me longer to do some things but on the whole not too bad.

Don't worry about asking anything from your oncologist or MacMillan, I found them all very supportive and helpful.

I wish you well and hope that once you start treatment and know what to expect things may become easier to deal with.  I wish you well and hope that you keep us updated on how you are

Karen

Thankyou so much it feels good to talk and get advice it’s so new to me I’m really struggling with it all.

I’m sorry you are going through this, I cried every day since Saturday this week , but my mum is so strong , she to has not been ill prior to diagnosis, 

the chemo made her very tierd last week, but turns out it was an infection, but dealt with straight away by hospital, 

she lost about a stone in weight that prompted her to go doctors , that was all she had as a symptom, 

please make sure you eat plenty and drink plenty xxx 

lots of love xx 

Thanks for the kind  and positive words I’m just feeling frightened at the moment but I guess that’s the same for everyone.

It’s ok to feel Frightened, try and keep your mind busy, do you like reading are there anything that interested you that you could read about. And programmes you like you could watch, take each day at a time that’s what I’m doing, or my mind will go into over drive,  x lots of love xxxxxx