Just saying hello.
So a week ago my life was turned upside down. I had a chest x-ray as a precaution because of an inflammation marker in my blood. Hours later was called by the GP saying a shadow had been found on my lung. Urgent CT scan arranged two days later and was told by GP via phone that day they’d found a large tumour in my lung. Saw a specialist today who confirmed (pending a biopsy to confirm 100%) I had cancer, likely stage 4.In a week, without any prior warning I may have it, I’ve been told this.
Feel shocked & numb as never smoked, only mid 40s & generally fit & healthy. This has come as bolt from the blue particularly as I’ve no real symptoms bar a bit of cough & slight breathlessness which I assumed was after effects of covid I had about 6 weeks ago. I’m struggling to understand why I’ve got it & why it’s so bad. Consultant says it’s in lining of lung so can’t operate to remove and I presume it must have spread if they are saying it’s stage 4 but wasn’t told if it had, though is not in other lung. Said if a certain type could be a treatment option but clearly no cure. My emotions are all over the place, I can’t think clearly and don’t know what to expect next or how long I have left. I’ve a young family and I worry how this will affect them. The last 5 days or so waiting to see consultant has been mental torture and now it’s confirmed I can’t see that changing. It doesn’t seem real even writing this.
I was directed to this site as its trustworthy so any advice about what happens next would be greatly received. Thanks.
Hi Whittle, welcome to the group, but sorry you find yourself here. It is extremely scary being told you have cancer, and you feel as if it isn’t really happening to you. I remember the feeling well. So many people here will relate to not having any symptoms, and what a shock it was to them to find out they had cancer. I think a lot of people have thought that it was covid causing some of the symptoms.
You are right, the waiting for tests and results is torture! As you are having a biopsy it will be a bit longer to wait I am sorry to say. But a biopsy will give the oncologist a diagnoses of the cancer type, which is so important to get you on the best treatment plan. Once your biopsy is back, your oncologist will be part of a MDT meeting, where several medical professionals will discuss your results and decide which treatment plan will be best. You will be told this plan very soon after the meeting, sometimes on the same day, and your treatment will start very soon after.
You will be feeling very much in limbo at the moment, not knowing what may be ahead, but once the treatment starts you will start to feel like you are taking back control. I know these next few days/weeks will not be easy, back hang in there, it will get easier.
There are several members here who have a incurable but treatable diagnoses, who have been on treatment a long time and are living a normal(ish) life. Lung cancer treatment has come such a long way in recent years, with new treatments being introduced all the time. I am one of the incurables, you can read my story by clicking on my name or profile picture, which will take you to my profile page.
Whilst you wait for your diagnoses, please do come here and talk to us as much as you need. We all here know how you are feeling, because we have lived it! You can also chat to someone at Macmillan on 0808 808 00 00.
