Lung cancer has progressed to multiple brain metastases

Hello everyone

I have had lung cancer for 5 years, starting off with about 9 or 10 tumours which had spread to the lymph nodes in my chest and neck. I was on Crisotinib which eventually got rid of all the tumours. I know, I was really lucky that the meds did what they were supposed to and I viewed every day as a bonus.

I've just been told that although a CT scan has shown that my lungs were still clear I now have about 5 tumours in my brain., with between a few months to live and, if I'm lucky, maybe a year.

I'm devastated and so sad. Trying to be positive but not being successful at the moment.

  • I'm so sorry to hear that , sending you strength x

  • Thank you Minty, much appreciated

  • Hi Kitty 

    Have you received any help to deal with your situation ? xx

  • Hi Minty

    It's been a stressful week. The Oncologisy had asked me to pick up my new meds the following day and start them, but they were out of stock and subsequently delivered to me 5 days later, last Wednesday. Had a phone call to tell me the oncology nurse would ring me on the Friday (10th) and couldn't take meds until then. When she rang she asked if I'd had an ECG and I hadn't, she said she would look into when she came into work on the Monday! Meanwhile I received  2 letters on Saturday, an ECG appointment on 24th,and a video call with oncologist on 31st. I phoned the oncologist's secretary today to tell her all of this, she spoke to him and I got a phone call this afternoon telling me to go for ECG tomorrow thank goodness. So hopefully  before too long I will be able to start the medication. Stresss levels through the roof!

    Kikty x

  • Hi there,

    So sorry to hear your news which is devastating for you. Remember that you have already achieved five years of living with this and there maybe other things that can be done to prolong your life. Don't give up hope, try everything and volunteer for any trials available while you're well. 

    Sending you love and best wishes 

    Love Jane xx

     

     

  • That sounds more stressful than it needed to be but good you have it tomorrow now.

    Will the mediaction hope to slow down the progression ? xx

  • Thanks so much Jane.  I'm trying to be as positive as I've been over the last 5 years. My confidence and positivity have taken a dive at the moment but once I start the medication I hope I can be again.

    Kilty x

  • Yes the medication is targeted so, as with what I was on for lung cancer, it will hopefully target the tumours and shrink them and hopefully slow down the progression. I'll hopefully have my positive head on again soon.

    Kilty x

     

  • You will feel more positive once active treatment starts, it's this limbo and things being out of our control that produces such anxiety. A friend of ours was told less than 12 months and that was 7 years ago. A fantastic famous hospital in the north west have kept him going. 

    Jane xx

  • Dear Kikty,

    I can't presume to know what you're going through, it must be such incredibly tough news to receive. I just wanted to say that I hope you start living life in the 'now' and your stress levels reduce. You have a few months, years, to enjoy the life that you have, I would hate to think of you spending that time anxious and distressed. 

    Focus only on what makes you happy. Do not entertain any negativity, surround yourself with happy people, good thoughts, positive stories. If you have social media, follow uplifting motivating people. If you read books, ensure they are light and funny. It makes all the difference. Do not let your family and friends grieve now, they can do that at a later time. Ensure you cherish the time you have together- and it may be longer than you think. 


    The only thing you can control is your conscious thoughts. You alone are responsible for changing the channel in your mind when it becomes negative. You can do this. You can enjoy however long you have left on this earth (and who knows how long that is for any of us?), if you keep your head in the right space. That will give your body the best chance to respond to the meds. 
     

    I wouldn't blame you a jot for being frightened. But you can choose to give in to that, or you can choose to grab your life by the collar and start doing things your way. Either way, I wish you peace, I sincerely hope you can manage to find joy at this very difficult time. Keep talking about it, keep reaching out, you are doing amazingly xxxxx