Hi new to the group 1964

Hi, new to the group, but I have been reading the vast array of support given and want to say how encouraging and positive you all are.

my journey started in 2017, I was a healthy individual, no worries at all. However one day at work, felt a bit ill, but able to complete the day. I went home and unusual for me, went to bed early at 2030. I awoke 17 hours later drenched in sweat.

The next night In bed, I experienced a sharp pain across my chest, felt longer, but was only approximately a few seconds. The next night I had a pain, just at the bottom of my rib cage. I knew the pain could be indicative of infection and made an appointment with my GP, who prescribed antibiotics. The GP advised going to A&E if the pain worsened.

The pain did become more sever and as advised I went to A&E, where I was placed upon a nebuliser for a short period. Bloods were taken and advised that they were a bit raised, but ok. Discharged home in the same situation.

The next morning contacted by the hospital and asked to come back, to be admitted as the bloods indicated a really bad infection.

Any how, had CT and told I had puemonia and that a cavity in the left upper lung had been identified.  Had bronchoscopy but advised inconclusive, but that I could have something sinister. I was referred to the chest clinic.

A few months later had an X-ray and told the cavity had decreased in size and that I could be discharge. However by this time I was having pain, where the cavity was, in my chest. Because of this, reluctantly the doctor said she would arrange another X-ray in a few months.

I would get appointments, but these would then be cancelled. Naviely I presumed this was a good sign/ news. Fast forward 14 months when given another appointment for an X-ray which led to PET scan, which again told was inconclusive, but told activity had shown up in both lungs.

I agreed to have the left upper lobe removed by VAT’s. I was then told it was cancer 3.5cm. I did not have lymph node involvement. no further investigations, regardless of being in touch constantly, with my allocated lung nurse, requesting information and treatment plan. Allocated nurse kept putting my request down as anxiety and advised I would have to await my next appointment with the consultant in seven months time.

Seven months later had CT and told that I now had mets in other lung and I have now commenced immunotherapy treatment.

my journey has been a nightmare, I believe my diagnosis could have been curative if investigated correctly at the start, but what can you do.

obviously my journey has created anger and, frustration, but thank god I found this site. The positivity from  people has totally helped me through a very dark period of my life. 

I just wanted to say thank you, to everyone who writes on this site. The word cancer is horrific and only those going through it, really understand what it actually entails.