Shadows on both lungs

I’m sorry you are feeling so stressed but it’s absolutely normal. It’s an awful feeling, not knowing what the problem is and having to wait for scans and results. I worried about by husband before my diagnosis last week and we didn’t talk although we both thought there was a problem. There wasn’t much point in speculation at the time as we didn’t know anything. Thoughts do run wild. I tried to combat this, initially by watching lots of Box sets on tv and streaming services. I also listened to sleep meditation on UTube at night and this helped me to sleep. 

As your partner is calling you and you are not answering they may already worried about you, without you having to say anything. We didn’t hide our concerns but left it until we had certain news before we talked. My husband told me whatever the results we’d get through it. I’m pretty sure your partner would probably prefer to know why you’re not picking up. Personally I’ve found that my nearest and dearest always know if there’s something on my mind even if I don’t tell them. 

Anyway, I wish you all the best and hope that all is not as bad as you are fearing but partners usually surprise in the support they can offer, even if they are far away.

With love xx

Thank you for your kind words. The not knowing is hard, but I keep reminding myself it could be nothing, or something less serious. My partner has low grade Prostate cancer and suffers from anxiety and depression, which is why it’s hard to tell him. 
My CT is on Monday, and he gets home on Wednesday. How long does it take on average to get results? 
I’m trying to keep busy to occupy my mind.

I wish you well, and thank you again.

I had my results about a week later. Any further action will be determined a step at a time. The waiting seems to be the most stressful period, at least for me and many others. I expect the wait will also depend on the hospital concerned. Do ask how long when you have your scan. They may be able to give you a time frame and possibly a contact.

I wish you all the best for Monday and do let us know how you are going. 

I'm not sure if iv upset anyone ,

Hi Ned63 welcome to the group, but sorry you find yourself here. This is a very scary time for you, and you will need support whilst you are going through this worry. It can take a couple of weeks to get the report back on CT scans, each hospital is different.  I know the need to protect our loved ones, but I know I would want to know if it was my partner. 

If you need to talk to someone to help you through this difficult time, please call the Macmillan support line on 0808 808 00 00. They are available 7 days a week from 8am until 8pm. 

So much has happened since my last post. My partner came home on Wednesday and I told him about the CT scan but reassured him it was probably nothing serious. Fast forward a day to Thursday; we’re eating our evening meal and I glance at my NHS app to see if any blood test results have been posted. There I find a devastating report of my CT scan results. I have 5.3cm mass on one lung and multiple metastases on both lungs, as well as cysts on liver and kidneys, diverticular change and a large gallstone. I am aware how poor the prognosis will be and my partner and I are understandably devastated.

We are also angry about how we found out. Nobody rang to share the news. We went to our GP surgery at 8am the next morning to ask to speak to someone urgently. We were given a an appointment later in the afternoon (by an extremely unpleasant receptionist who was extremely unsympathetic and very rude) with a locum GP who has given us contact details for our local hospital. We are still waiting for a call back to arrange an appointment. 

We’ve broken the news to close friends and family, who are being amazingly supportive. My mother is 84 and suffers from severe anxiety since losing dad to cancer 4 years ago. I am her primary carer. She is in a terrible state and I’m struggling to cope with supporting her and dealing with my own emotions and fears. 

There is a happier sting in the tale; my partner had planned a 60th birthday trip for me with friends and family to Corfu in May next year. He had intended to propose so brought forward his plan and we are now happily engaged.  

I will be turning to this forum a lot as my journey begins. I am terrified, angry and confused, but I want to be positive and embrace what time I have. We have a trip arranged in our motorhome over Easter so we are going ahead with it whilst we wait to hear from the hospital. 

My heart goes out to all of you who are sharing this difficult journey.

Oh no I am so very sorry that you have found out this news in this way! This is not the correct procedure at all! How you have managed to see this report without a consultation is beyond me. I thought when I was told my diagnoses by a heartless GP via a telephone call was bad enough, but this is unbelievable. As for your GP surgery….. I really don’t know what has happened to our GP practices. It is almost like human empathy and compassion was wiped out by the corona virus. 

I think tomorrow you should phone the hospital again, you need this appointment ASAP, this is their doing, and they need to make amends. There is a complaint procedure if you want to go down that route, let me know and I will share the details with you. 

Now the happy news! Congratulations How wonderful, it sounds like you have a wonderful supportive partner.  I think a little trip away at Easter will be just what you need right now. I know it will be hard for you to not think about what is going on, but a change of scenery and time away will do you good xx 

Thank you for your sensitive and helpful reply Chelle. I raised my concerns to the locum, both regarding how we found out the news and how we were dealt with my the receptionist. I said I wasn’t formally complaining about the staff member, but that it should be a training consideration. I’m not sure what to do regarding the NHS app issue. I doubt I’ll take it further as long as someone takes responsibility and learns from it. I feel my time would be better spent focusing on more positive things but equally I wouldn’t want the same thing to happen to others.

If you do feel this needs mentioning then you can contact Patient advice and liaison services (PALS). A search for this online will give you the option for the hospital in question.

I think for you now you have enough going on, but you may feel differently once you have spoken to the oncology team. An apology from them may be enough, it depends on how they act going forward I guess. 

I hope you will find this group a support for you through this difficult time. I find here we can say our deepest thoughts that we may not say to our loved ones. Sometimes just writing it down and hitting the post button, knowing that someone “who gets it” will read your words, helps immensely xx 

Oh I am so sorry... Think NHS has gone  slack. My darling husband was told in a full waiting room... On his own..... But from that day... (January 13th)its been all systems go... Diagnosed with stage4 on a Friday.. Started triple therapy on the Monday..... Today we are driving 1 half hours (Sunday) for a thorasic CT contrast scan... To see if treatments have shrunk the tumours....... Good articl giving hope in mail yesturday regarding immunotherapy..... The wonder drug........ We are off in our caravan for Easter too.... Also fingers crossed... Corfu in August...... Sending positive thought in this horrible time  xx