Hi, thanks for accepting me into your group.
(Sorry for this long post!)
My hubby (AR) had an appt. last Tuesday (18th) with his Doctor to discuss the results of a chest x ray plus a CT scan. He went on his own, fully expecting his shortness of breath was due to a chest infection, or maybe the quintuple heart bypass he had in 2011 was causing problems. The doctor ended the brief visit with ‘You’ve got lung cancer, but it hasn’t spread to your bones’!!
To say I was ‘gobsmacked’ upset and shocked when I was told the news was putting it mildly!
We saw a Professor on Monday at the LGI to discuss the diagnosis further, and AR has a Primary Grade 3 cancer in his right lung, next to his pulmonary artery, another primary Grade 1 cancer in his left lung, and a possibly spread to his local chest lymph nodes. The type of cancer isn’t known yet.
The ‘Plan of Care’ was discussed and we met our lovely Lung cancer nurse. He then had bloods taken and we went home with so many thoughts and questions in our heads.
Today (Wednesday) AR went for a Breathing test at St James Hospital (Jimmys.) Saturday he goes for a PET scan & next Wed’ he goes for a CT head scan (as he’s had a few TIA’s in the past.) Then possibly a lung biopsy on the larger mass, as long as it’s not touching, or encroaching on the pulmonary artery. Once all the results are in we’ll have a meeting with various Specialists to discuss the treatment. Maybe an operation on R lung if the grade 3 can be removed safely. Also Chemo/radiotherapy, and other long names mentioned!
I’ve never liked roller coaster rides, but I think we’re on a very long one now!!
Sorry again if I’ve been ‘waffling’ in this long post!
Hi Yorkiepud a very warm welcome to the group, but sorry you have had to join us here. I too had a very unsympathetic GP give me my cancer diagnosis, mine was over the phone, so I can fully understand the shock and horror you both must of felt.
All of the tests you have mentioned are standard. There are so many tests and scans at the start of a diagnosis, and then a lot of waiting around for results! This is a very stressful time, and something that everyone here in the group can sympathise with. I remember thinking that I felt in limbo, and that it wasn’t happening to me, but that I was watching someone else’s life playing out. It was a very strange feeling.
Hang on in there, once you get through this initial stage, and you get the full diagnosis, treatment will start and you will start to settle into a routine. The good thing is that your husband has been told already that there are lots of treatment options. I have always said that cancer has taken so much away from me, but the one thing it cannot take is hope. Where there is treatment there is always hope.
Now that you have found us here please do come and chat whenever you feel like it. We do understand what you are going through. The MacMillan support line is also available 7 days a week from 8am until 8pm on 0808 808 00 00.
Telling family is just the worst thing to do. I was diagnosed on the one year anniversary of my mum passing with ovarian cancer. Telling my dad was hard, but telling my children still haunts me to this day. My eldest had just left uni, my middle daughter was starting uni, and my youngest was starting senior school. At the time I was told I had 6 months to live….,that was 12 years ago.
I think being honest with family is best, but keep it simple. Once your husband starts treatment you could maybe ask your daughter to keep other family members informed, so you and your husband do not have to keep repeating yourself. People mean well, but some days you may just not want to answer other people’s questions, it’s hard enough getting your head around it yourself.
