Hello
At present i am coming to terms with the shattering news we received a fortnight ago when my 69yr. old wife was again given the news she has a cancer in her Lung at the back of her Heart. This after her undergoing Radium treatment just over 2 years ago & given the all clear?
3 days after quietly celebrating our 52 yr Anniversary , we were given this horrendous news & for me I was hit by a load of emotions. My obvious concerns are for my wife, who is having trouble digesting the reality of her situation.
Supporting her in what best way I can is difficult as my mind has been racing from one thing to another.
I have read a lot of posts on here & realise our situation could be a lot worse in so many ways & this is highlighted to me by reading others experiences. My best wishes goes out to all.
I have read the Your feelings when someone has cancer & can relate to 99% of them/
Last night I learned a programme by Rev Richard Coles was on TV Ch. 4 at 22.00hrs. in which he interviews people & inded discuss's his own feelings when his Partner passed. Unfortunately I fell asleep & missed it?
Tomorrow after completeing a week of different appointments we find out What type of cancer she has. Last time she had the "slow growing" type whic we assured which gives the best chance of survival.
Her cancer now could be a repeat of the previous one or indeed a new one.
We will hopefully also find out what treatment may be available ruling radium out as she has already undergone this.
Having moments of clarity re. the situation, nonetheless I have waves of "what if's, how will this affect all concerned, etc."
The above read i found is very helpful as it shows I have the same feelings as most people-------- even extreme ones at times, & for this I am grateful
I sympathise with ALL on this site who are going through similar/worse sycnarios tha I.
I'm sorry you're going through this again so soon. Tomorrow should bring with it some clarity and a sense of direction.
If it's any consolation, I had surgery in April this year for a tumour which had been treated by SBRT in October 2020. The histology showed that it was very low grade and wasn't present in any lymph nodes. I didn't need any further treatment.
Please let us know how tomorrow's appointment goes and what the treatment plan is going forward.
Hello Lolie
Many thanks for sharing your experience with me. This is the first time I have heard of SBRT & having looked it up online I see it's possible to receive this treatment even though my wife has had a course of Radium? It's certainly a question amongst I have to ask the Consultant tomorrow.
With regards to yourself I think it's great news & outcome for you. I will certainly share my wifes results tomorrow when we should have a clearer picture of what exactly we are dealing with & any treatments available.
By telling me of SBRT it's lifted my confidence (although I appreciate it may not be possible) in our Case?? One i found is Imunology which i also intend mentioning, but again I believe it's in the early stages of being developed/Given?
Still again many thanks & long may you stay well. God Bless.
Steve
Hello Lolie
saw the consultant today & the worse news. I forget the actaul name of the cancer but it's the same as she had before. She reckons it must have been so small that it was'nt picked up at the time? However, she told us Chemo was available. I asked about Immunotherapy & was told she had sent a sample of the Biopsy off to the team in London & IF my wife is eligible she'll be able to have it. However, she says both Chemo & immuno will only slow it down? I asked again what time limits we have & was told 6-12mths depending on wether chemo or Immuno is taken? So 6 mths. withouit & up to 12 mths with. She did say that everyone is different & it could be linger or not depending? So Macmillan nurse has been arranged to vist to give medication etc. I am absolutely Gutted. Pardon my language.
Hi lolie
My apologies for not getting back sooner. The cancer she has is Squamous Cell Carcenoma.
However, at present I am at a loss as to all the various opinions being offered to us? I know people mean well, but, at times it's as though they are "pushing" for her to follow what they are recommending? It's just confusing the issue.
Apart from that we are awaiting a result to see if she will be a match for Immunotherapy? The oncologist mentioned it could take 2 weeks before we know? Then the only thing available would be the Chemo, which my wife is adamant at the moment she does not want. Again though she was told that she need'nt "sign up" for the full course. she can have one dose to see if it is agreeable then---------decide wether to continue with it or not?
And lastly Christies are doing trials every day, so if suitable she may also be open to this which she says depending on what it entails she would be up for?
I take what you say about Longevity & am really praying she last a lot longer than they approximate?
Thanls for taking the time to advise it really is appreciated.
Best wishes
I would recommend trying to encourage her to have the chemo - I was really worried about the side effects but have really had very little and I finished my last round yesterday . The worst of it was losing my hair but what the heck, it shrunk the tumour!
Hiya Stelor
i don’t know if this will help, please encourage your wife to have the chemotherapy, reading my profile might help, I offer nothing more than support, chemotherapy is no as bad as it sounds and it’s different for everyone.
please take care hugs to both of you
Donna
Thanks Yorkshiregirl,
I really am trying to encourage her to have at least one chemo & see how things go. She is keen to have the immunotherapy if compatible & at least that is a given as initially she just wanted to curl up & go?
Really glad your treatment is working for you & long may you be as healty as possible. Everyone on hereis so positive & so refreshing to read of your experiences as not only am I glad things are going well generally, but on a selfish side it takes my mind away from the reality here at home. Best wishes to all.
Thank you Hamhat
I took you up on your offer & read your story.& it makes for an interesting read. I am really glad that you have overcome the initial uncertainties & that you managed to keep smiling with your hairpieces. (made me laugh) . I never realised that immunotherapy lasted so long? in my minds eye i had it down as a set course like Chemo, so well done for getting on with it all. Had a shaky start with the sepsis & again really pleased you have cpme through that rough part.
Y/Day we had a community nurse call & after listening to both of us for over 2 hours, I realised that no matter what we both said ---she agreed with us both?
She left her card in case we had any questions etc.
It was only then that i saw she was a Pallitive care specialist for end of life?? (how thichk am I ) which in turn made me look online etc. Lovely woman in fact all have been really good, but, until her visit I has sort of accepted things as they stand. Reading & seeing the End of life bit for some reason it made me feel as I did when we first got the news?
Everything at present is new to us both & it would appear I have a lot of reading/catching up to do?
Again many tha ks for sharing your story like all on here you are a very brave lady. God Bless.
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