Hubby just diagnosed

Hello Shelzy68, sorry you find yourself here. I just wanted to welcome you to the group and hope you come back for support when your hubby has more information on what the next steps are after the scan and consultation.  I know it is a worrying time for you all.

All the best

little-fi 

Hi Shelzy 

My husband has stage 4 none small cell lung cancer which has spread to his lymph nodes. Before he was diagnosed he was constantly belching which was why he went to his gp as we thought he had some sort of digestive issue. He also had some pain in his left chest side and a mild cough. Since his diagnosis he still has episodes of belching which can last for hours!!! His consultant has said it is probably linked to pressure on his diaphragm and/or oesophagus. He has been told it’s okay to take an over the counter antacid (he usually takes Deflatine).  I hope once your husband gets his scan and results he is able to get some help with the belching. My husband says it’s more annoying than painful.
If you care to read my profile (just click on my name at top of this reply) you can see what treatment etc he has had since his diagnosis last June.
I personally have found this community really helpful, there is a separate Carers Forum on here which is also brilliant for sharing thoughts. It’s good (in a weird way) to know others have the same worries and very helpful to share support.
Wishing you and your husband all the best going forward.

Grasan 

• Thank u for the reply, not great news stage 4 non small cell lung cancer, it has spread to lymph node in chest and neck, also on left side adreanal gland, I asked if it was treatable and they said no, pallative care, chemo and targeted therepy, for pain and comfort, they took 17.5 mm biopsy, so they have used,some of that sample to grow and see which treatment is best, he as deteriated, he was at work the day he had is biopsy, and scan and the doctor told him then this is lung cancer, he as  been severly fatigued, we went for CT on Wednesday and he was ill after that, I worry by the time they decide what treatment he can have, he will be to ill for it, our grand children have been today and he was heart broken, he won’t see is own family.
• thank u so much for sharing your story it is inspiring I have just read it to him in the hope that he can hang on for some treatment.

As many people on here will tell you the waiting is one of the worst things but it’s important for the treatment to be specific to the individual. Treatment is so much better nowadays as there is so much information that can be used from the biopsy sample so that the treatment is targeted to each person. We have begun to accept that “inoperable and incurable “ is not necessarily the end when combined treatment can shrink and slow the spread of cancer. I really hope your husband can commence treatment soon, try to stay as positive and hopeful as you can because there is so much that can be done. Please feel free to message me anytime, I remember how helpless and hopeless I felt last year before my husband’s  treatment started but now I feel there is a life ahead for us just not the one we expected. 

Grasan

• Your words are such a comfort I cannot tell u how much relief I feel just hearing we are not alone, I feel much more positive now. 
  thank u so much ️️

Have you been put in touch with Macmillan or lung cancer specialist nurse? We found them so helpful in the beginning and since. They will liaise with doctors, give you advice about financial support, counselling and generally be there for you. Never be afraid to ask about anything, initially we were slow to ask about small things that worried us because we “didn’t want to bother” anyone. Our lung cancer nurse specialist told us we would never be a “bother” and that they are there to help. There is so much going on at first and your brain can’t take it all in and deal with it so it’s better to ask than sit and worry. There are lots of people on here who know just what you are going through and even though they can’t change things the support they offer is invaluable.

 
Grasan 

Hi Grasan, apologies for sounding stupid but what do you mean by 'lung cancer specialist nurse'? Are you saying that thid is someone we can talk to provided by Macmillan?

Thanks

John

When my husband was first diagnosed we were introduced to Lung Cancer Nurse Specialists at our local hospital. They are not provided by Macmillan but are sometimes funded by Macmillan and are also known as Clinical Nurse Specialist. I’m not sure if there are specialist nurses at all hospitals or for all types of cancer but you can ask your cancer team or your GP about it. There is some information on the Macmillan website (search Macmillan Nurse Clinical Nurse Specialist) about their role etc. 

Hi Grasan

Ok I think I know what you are referring to. There are a group of nurses that I contact withington the respiratory department. I have not spoken with the Oncologist as yet because technically, I still do not have an official diagnosis. Maybe there is a similar team of nurses within the oncology department!!

Thanks for your help!!

Regards 

John

We met ours at the respiratory department as my husbands first CT scan had showed definite cancer. He was then transferred to oncology and the nurses are part of that team.   Wishing you all the best with your results and diagnosis. 
Grasan