My mum 76 was diagnosed with lung cancer 3 weeks ago and was informed by the Respiratory Consultant. She hasn’t got an appointment with Oncology until end of the month which will be 7 weeks since diagnosis. We haven’t a plan or even any idea if it’s spread anywhere else. With the exception of District Nurses visiting to do her lung drain we have just been left to it.
She’s hardly eating or moving about and feels unwell most of the time. She says she’ll be dead by the time she gets seen. It’s awful watching her deteriorate. Is this usual to have to wait so long?
Hello Fran68
I am very sorry to see that your Mum has been diagnosed with lung cancer and that she is not seeing an oncologist for another 2/3 weeks. It must be very hard for both of you to wait that long when you are naturally worried about her diagnosis, wondering what is going to happen next and having a lot of questions that you need answers to.
It is good that the district nurse are coming in to do her drain although I understand how you feel that you have both just been left to get on with it. I do think that as Mum is not eating, not able to move about and is feeling unwell that you need to speak with her GP and get some advice and get her checked. You know her best and if you feel she is deteriorating I think this is the best plan. Maybe talk to the district nurses as well about the eating?
Waits between hospitals do seem to vary. I had to wait 4 weeks to see mine but once I did- I saw him on the Friday and had my surgery on the Monday so in my experience although I had to wait to see him, once I did, things moved quickly.
I hope this helps a little,
I think a call to her GP is the best idea as if she is not eating and drinking this can make her feel very unwell and get dehydrated etc. Speak also with her district nurses if they are in today or tomorrow. They were great with my Dad.
Please do let us know if there is anything else we can help with.
Jane
You are welcome. In my experience if you can get her eating and drinking regularly it will really help. District nurses are normally brilliant. Let us know how you get on and if there is anything else please do ask
That is fantastic to hear. Really pleased. I hope that with the combination of the anti nausea meds and nutritional drinks alongside plenty of water that Mum will start to feel a little better. Please let us know how she gets on
