My partner was diagnosed with lung cancer in July. Adenosquamos carcinoma left lung T4 N1 M0

Hi Ramo,

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this, it's terrifying and all too often we're left feeling helpless. I'm also sorry that I'm the first responder, I'm not too shabby on hard facts but not so much on comfort and sympathy. So what's going on here?

Treatment goes thru phases: the initial diagnosis, sometimes with a prognosis that's too soon to call with any accuracy. Then there are loads of tests and Multi-Disciplinary-Team (MDT) meetings between the doctors and the diagnosis/prognosis is changed and refined. Finally there's a treatment plan. This can all takes weeks to complete before treatment starts.

There's more than one kind of lung cancer - sounds like we are dealing with a type of Non-Small-Cell (NSCLC) here. Treatment has started so the doctors have made their minds up about what they're dealing with. What they clearly haven't done is keep you up to speed on the situation, and left you at the mercies of the Internet.

You'll need to have a proper talk with the consultant to get the real skinny on what's going on here, but I can make a few educated guesses from what we know so far. The chemotherapy (more than one type of that available) is probably to shrink the tumour and keep things under control. The immunotherapy (more than one type of that too) is a similar deal - without a biopsy there's no knowing in advance how good it will be. Having both feels like a belt-n-braces option, dodges the surgery and buys time. Know that if they do go for surgery later then that is not a bad option.

Worry and stress can manifest all manner of physical symptoms. This kind of diagnosis is as bad as it gets for doing that to both of you. Cough, pain, insomnia, feeling rotten - they're all in the Stress ballpark. Fear of the unknown is the worst, so have another talk with the consultant. Write down questions in advance and write down the answers too, lest you forget or misremember. No such thing as a stupid question.

Meanwhile, healthy diet and moderate regular exercise is in order - helps the immunotherapy work better and sets up better for surgery.

kind regards,
Steve

Hi Steve, thank you for your answer. Yes, that's right. The treatment he is doing is to shrink the tumor, it is Paclitaxel, Carboplatin and Pembrolimab. PD L1 is 10%. 

I feel for you so much…have only just started this awful journey ourselves. I can feel your pain and worries. It’s hell! 

I'm sorry to hear this, but we must be optimistic and not lose hope. Let's fight with everything we can to get through this.