Small cell lung cancer and COPD

I had lung one in 2023 and had it removed via surgery. I think you need to talk to the Macmillan nurse allocated to your mum. She mum will need transport if you can't do it.. Don't worry too much about your mums kidney performance. My wife has only one and it performs at 20% it's a transplant one. 

There are others on here who will have been in the same situation and maybe can contribute to your questions.

You are not alone on here

Hi Sunshine6e 

welcome to the group, but I am sorry to hear about your mum. I know how hard this will be for you, especially with children of your own, and work. There will be times when you feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day! 

 Jagman  is right in saying that mum can get transport arranged to and from treatment. I think this will be important, especially if mum is having radiotherapy as this could be every day for 2-4 weeks. The hospital team / MacMillan nurse will arrange this for her. 

I think it might be a good idea as well for mum to have someone from the MacMillan buddy service call her. This is where mum would be matched with a MacMillan buddy who will call her once a week for a chat. I’ll pop the information below with how to apply. 

macmillan-buddies

You can also call the MacMillan support line for help and advice, who are available 7 days a week from 8am until 8pm on 0808 808 00 00. 

Please do come here to chat whenever you need to. This is a great space for getting your thoughts out, and there is always someone to chat too. 

Hi Sunshine6e

I have the same diagnosis as your mum since earlyrtvand help keeping track  March. And I just had my 4th chemo session.

Your mum will need support and help to keep track of her drugs regime. These are the drugs she'll need to take in addition to the chemo drugs, especially in the week following her chemo sessions. I'm lucky that my wife keeps track but she only manages by keeping a record in a notebook which she updates with the drugs prescribed after each chemo session. In my case that includes 5 self administered injections the week after chemo.

Your mum should have been issued with a lot of printed advice about diet, exercise etc. Read it!  Including frequent teeth  brushing to avoid thrush from some of the drugs.

I lost a lot of weight rapidly.  It's characteristic of the condition but she'll need to try and put it back on in order to build her strength to withstand the effects of the chemo. High protein and high fat. I also have type 2 diabetes but that has to become of second priority. In any case if she has lost weight that may be good for diabetes.

She should also have a 24h emergency phone number for her oncology team.  Don't hesitate to use it.  And a card to show if she has to go to A&E. 

 Good luck!

Hi don't despair.

I have small cell and copd and have coped well with both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. And have just heard that my tumour has shrunk to a sliver.

I would encourage anyone to have both and they may feel OK.

I had the odd day where I felt tired and unwell - hard to d escribe, but apart from that some tiredness which I countered by taking a rest.

I guess what I am saying is that we are all different and side effects may be difficult to predict. Your mother is lucky to have you looking after her  by the way and I wish you well and hope all goes well.

Delia.