newly diagnosed

Hi Pixi 

Sorry you find yourself here. This group is very supportive eo you are in the right place. It's daunting at first, I was exactly the same. I'm post operation for lobectomy for lung cancer. This is my week 4 post op. I have my follow up Thursday to find out if I need further treatment. We are here to support you  many have supported me. I found this group great. I hope we can help you too. 

Sally

Hi Sally Im still in investigative stages and I suffer with extreme anxiety so even investigations are scaring me. Im due a PET CT  scan in the morning and im terrified. also theyve mentioned possibly camera down throat and mri....petrified of sedative meds for camera and claustrophobic so mri is frightening.

also thought of ops and being put to sleep is a nightmare for me

Hi pixi I know how scared you are with everything going on. When you go for you PET scan please do tell the staff there that you suffer from anxiety and that you are worried about the procedure. They will help you to get through it. 
Have you spoken to your GP about your anxiety since this cancer diagnoses journey started? If not please speak to him to see if he can prescribe you some medication to help get you through this. 

These tests are so important to make sure you get the correct treatment. Everyone here knows how scary this stage is, the fear of the unknown and what is coming next, is a terrible feeling. We are here for you, but please also calll the macmillan support line on 0808 808 00 00 who are there to help you through this difficult time. Good luck with the scan today. 

Hi Pixi

The PET CT Scan is just you lying very still while they pass you through the scanner; over in seconds.  The MRI Scan is similar although noisier and lasts a bit longer. If the claustrophobia is an issue just keep your eyes closed and wear the headphones provided...  As for the camera down the throat (bronchoscopy, you can choose to have it without sedation.  I opted for the 'no sedation'; now I won't lie to you it was not the nicest experience but it was very doable and the recovery time was extremely quick.

I can only repeat what Chelle has already advised; talk to your GP about these anxieties, plus make sure that the medical staff present doing the tests know that you are very anxious so that they can help you through them.

You have to have all these tests to ensure that you get the very best treatment plan for your cancer, so you do need to find ways to limit your anxiety. Have you tried therapy?

Kegsy x

Thank you so much for your lovely replies. Now back home after PET CT scan and feeling less anxious now its done, and im trying to stay positive while waiting for results.

Hi Pixi,

I just read your post and it spurred me on to create an account, thank you. I've been dipping in and out of this forum for the last week or so and found the reading really helps. I am yet to be formally diagnosed so I'm interested how some people have their diagnosis fairly early on, should I have been told already? I will be having a PET scan tomorrow after a CT revealed a 3cm x 2cm lesion in my right lung a week ago today. I think the main point of my post was to say that you are not alone in this and I too have lots of thoughts and feelings.

Hi Bill I hope all goes well tomorrow.

Hi Bill, no one gets their proper diagnoses until after all of the tests, biopsies etc are done. In most cases you don’t meet the oncologist until after all these tests are complete, you usually see a respiratory doctor up until then.

Good luck with the PET scan, please do let us know how you get on. 

Thank you chellesimo this makes a lot of sense now as I have seen a respiratory specialist after my CT. 

I'll be sure to keep you all posted. 

Thank you again for your response and your input into this forum it really helps.