Emotions

Hi, sorry to hear your news and I know it takes all your strength, and all those mixed emotions to get your head around. 

You don't say where you are at present with your diagnosis,  but there is alot of help out there. The Macmillian finances, sorted all my benefits for me, I was getting SSP,  they sorted out PIP, which I got at the higher rate. I'm stage 4, terminal lung cancer, with two tumors and the top half of my left lung has collapsed. 

I went through all the tests , and found the waiting for my next appointment hard, all the normal questions, where do we go from here, etc, what treatments are going to be on offer. And although alot on here have lung cancer, we have different forms of lung cancer, different treatment plans.  

If we are not sure, people on here are able to offer support, or share experiences of what they have gone through and what works for them. 

Take one day at a time. At first I didn't want to talk about my diagnosis,  and wanted to protect my family and loved ones. But in the end I opened up, and for me it was a release, and now,  even though we know the eventual outcome, we can talk and joke about my big C, acceptance.  

You will find your own way, but you will need that support, from which ever way you feel comfortable doing. 

I wish you well. 

Things will fall into place, you'll get support, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Get a note book and write things down. 

Take care. 

So sorry to hear this. I was diagnosed last month and still can't get my head round it all.

I started treatment last Friday, keytruda immunotherapy. I've got stage 4, small tumor in lung and pleural effusion (fluid on lung).

What is your diagnosis? Hopefully you'll be able to get treatment and we all just have to hope and pray for a miracle. 

Macmillan are brilliant...don't suffer in silence, speak to them and come on here.  

I still haven't told my parents and find it so hard to go out at the moment as I don't want people knowing and treating me differently. 

We're all here for you whenever you need to chat xxxx

Hi Debsvp

Thank you so much for your message . I have metastatic lung cancer so it has also spread elsewhere and will be terminal. Top half of my lung has also collapsed. I’ve had a bronchoscopy this week so have not had results yet so I don’t know what or if any treatment is available to me. I too don’t want to tell anyone for the same reason as you. I’ve now told my parents which was horrendous. It was a case of having to really as they were aware of my health problem as had Covid was wasn’t clearing up properly which has led to the discovery of my cancer. I have also had to tell work as I’ve been off for a few weeks already. I have been on SSP too so the advice on financial help is great thanks. I have managed to tell two close friends today who were obviously aware I wasn’t well. Only by text though which I know is wrong but I can’t face seeing and telling people in person because as soon as they say like they did they’re here for me I immediately get very emotional and well up. Strange but even writing this makes me feel the same way. I hope this feeling will subside as it makes me not want to go out or tell anyone else. Again thank you for your message it’s much appreciated and is certainly much easier to discuss with someone who is going through the same thing. 
The best of luck to you

Take care 

Hi Elsie

Thank you for your message . I have metastatic lung cancer so it has also spread and will be terminal. I haven’t as yet discussed what treatment may be available to me. It really helps being able to talk with others going through the same thing. I am glad I came on here! Telling my parents was horrendous, I knew it would devastate my mum. I like you am finding I don’t want to go out. People know I’ve had Covid and not recovered as I should which has led to the discovery of my cancer. As a result I know whoever I know that I see is going to ask how I am now and so then I’m going to have to tell them . This will either make them feel awkward or they are going to offer sympathy which will just get me upset. Like you I don’t want to be treated any differently to before I’m still the same person. Have also managed to tell my two closest friends but only by text I can’t face seeing them yet I’m still too emotional about it. I hope that these feelings will subside eventually as to quote the Shawshank Redemption you either get busy living or get busy dying. 

It's crap... However... Just because it has spread does not mean it's terminal. If you can get treatment it can be kept at bay. I've just read a story on here about someone diagnosed in 2011 and they are still going strong. It's just horrible ...I'm still less than a month since diagnosis and have cried constantly. The last couple of days I've felt a bit better emotionally...but I'm sure I'll have my ups and downs. All we can do is hope, hope and hope some more. 

It's easier said than done but try not to jump to conclusions...we never know what new treatment is round the corner.

I come on here every day now as it makes me feel a bit better being able to chat with people that truly understand.

Like you say ..or Shawshank said, we need to get busy living and try and carry on as best we can ....

Thinking of you and please don't feel you're alone... we're all here for you xxxx

Hi there 

I am just going through this too with my mums go is also on her own after loosing my dad to cancer 6 years ago and  who was also diagnosed stage 4 and as the consultant told her it’s treatable not curable 

there are lots of treatments now for lung cancer which are very positive and some really positive stories on here, try not to google too much and try and just take things a day at a time there is lots of support out there and happy to always listen if you need to chat here 

take care x 

Hi Cheltman2, 

             Thanks for your reply, can understand all the emotions your feeling, but cry if it helps, let it out. I still have the odd cry now, when I'm on my own, in the bath, etc. It's so hard to know that your going to die prematurely,  it wasn't in my plans,  being only twelve months off retirement. 

I've Non small cell lung cancer, as I said two tumors, one on my airway as it goes into the lung, and top of lung collapsed.  I'm terminal,  and had two lymph nodes swollen. 

I had to fight for treatment, at first presented myself as being to poorly , and was not being offered treatment.  Managed to beg to be given a chance, and was offered first chemo at 75%, which I copped well with, then had two more at 100%, scan then one more Chemo, so four in total.  A gap of five weeks then started my radiotherapy for thirteen days. I've four left to have next week. I then need to have another scan around 11th October, depending on results is where we go from here.

Considering my Consultant gave me a life expendency of six to twelve weeks,  and I'm still going strong after five months. My breathing has improved, still get breathless but not like before,,,, it was as if I was drowning,  fighting for every breath.

We are all here to support each other, share experiences, tips and some advice. 

As I said ask questions,  Macmillian Nurses are fantastic.  Hope you have started the ball with your finances, from applying and getting it, it will be backdated and that's a nice surprise.  

Good luck, take care 

Debs 

Hi Elsie

good to see youve started treatment. Hows it going?

sylvia

Sorry to hear. Im in the same noat but it foes get easier. Having a treatment plan eased things and   Certainly the financial stiff weighs heavy (Im self employed and live alone too and Macmillan are great so dokeep us all posted

sylvia

Hi there ...treatment went well and no side effects as yet. Just can't get a grip on my emotions though...so fed up of going to bed crying and waking up crying. I've spoken to the docs about it.

Just praying my immune system kicks in and the keytruda does its job. 

Thanks for asking about me...it's comforting to know there's people on here who care.

Have a great day 

Xxxxx