Hi,
I have posted before but being in total shock, I never had the brain piwer to introduce myself.
I was diagnosed with limited SCLC end of Feb. Chemo started 16/3 and just had second cycle of chemo and started radiotherapy.
2 days in and I need a new radiotgerapy plan as the first chemo has blasted alot of cancer, already.
I was feeling really good by this news but since told, it is lkiely to return quickly as response is extremely quick.
I am keeping positive as in my belief, it is different for everyone. The chemo is tough but dooable. I feel tired/sick for a few days but then start going back to my old self. I did lose 99% of my hair by week 3. My hairdresser thought I'd only get thinning because I was blessed with lots of hair, it was my best asset but I've a nice wig, which makes me feel me again and no pitying looks.
I dont want cancer to difine me, I live alone but have the wonderful support of 2 daughters, thou I worry about the youngest, she is not coping too well. I also have a very good friend, she has been my rock. I am so grateful.
I did have a coupke of work colleagues who said...well you use to smoke and then vaped. This was not helpful whatsover and besides, I would not wish this awful disease on my worst enemy and who in this world ever deserves it? It breaks my heart, when I see young children or young mum's waiting for consultation.
Sorry for the long, fragmented conversation. I guess it is chemo brain or the fear of the unknown.
I am currently not working, due to my treatment plan but at present, I'm not sure if I will have capacity to go back.
Thank you for being here, though I wish we all didn't need to be.
A
Hi Kranky
thank you for introducing yourself. My cancer journey is different yours, but I can relate about daughters. I have 3, my youngest was 12 at diagnosis. I would say that counselling really helps, my youngest had some sessions when I was first diagnosed and thus was arranged through my MacMillan lung nurse. She has recently had more sessions after feeling low. You can read my cancer journey by clicking on my profile picture which will take you to my page. It would be helpful if you could pop some information onto your profile page as well, it helps when answering questions to read peoples profile page to see what treatments etc they have had. I use mine like a bit of a treatment diary.
Well aren’t your colleagues naive and misinformed to think they are safe from cancer if they didn’t smoke or vape! I think you are best away from work at the moment from such ill advised people, you need support not people trying to make you feel guilty. I felt very angry for you reading that. In future I would educate them by telling them that 1 in 2 people get cancer, and you don’t need to smoke to get lung cancer, you just need lungs!
I am glad you have a good friend there to support you. Chemo is definitely not a walk in the park, and radiotherapy will make you very tired. But you can get through this, one day at a time, it will be worth it to see the results of the scan at the end. Wishing you all the very best with the treatment. Here to chat whenever you need to.
Hi, sorry to hear of your diagnosis.
Regarding your work colleague's remarks - since my lung cancer diagnosis in 2023, I have been told a couple of times by people I thought would be supportive saying; "got no sympathy for you as it is self-inflicted". How to guilt trip people in one easy sentence.
Thankfully I have had lots of support from family and friends, and after my treatment finished, I am doing well and enjoying life, I sold my house last year and purchased another one close to my son, daughter in law, and my two lovely granddaughters.
Also, I hope your youngest daughter is okay. When I was diagnosed I did not tell my eldest daughter as she tends to always see the negative side of life and has a meltdown for any illness. I didn't want to worry her, so when I told her I had already had all my tests and knew what I was up against going forward. She reacted as expected, floods of tears and text messaging me literally every day, sometimes twice a day asking if I was okay. She eventually came to terms with my diagnosis and that my treatment was showing positive results. Now, two and a half years later she is fine. My son on the other hand is the level headed one, he has been a rock, ferrying me to all investigations and treatment that where needed.
Sending my very best wishes, and ignore the people who make smug remarks, they obviously need to educate themselves.
Ann
