Hi Clarissa,

Avery warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear about your symptoms and the diagnosis. I can understand what a shock this was and, difficult as it is to get your head around it, I hope that you are beginning to come to terms with it. Most people don't tell family and friends until they get their biopsy results back and know their complete results. Fortunately, your children are adults and should be a great support as you set out on your cancer journey.

I am not a doctor, but my understanding of treatable but not curable, means that they cannot completely get rid of the cancer, but they can treat it. I have just had a quick loo at the Macmillan site and I Quote:-

" At least 130,000 people in the UK are living with 'treatable but not curable' cancer. This is cancer that can very rarely be cured, but can be treated to help manage symptoms or slow the progression of the cancer and extend people’s lives.

While not curable, these cancers are generally considered treatable if treatments are available that could be used to slow the progression of the cancer and help people to manage their symptoms.

Advances in treatment and care mean people can now live for several years with treatable but not curable cancer. Some people will live for many years. In some cases, it may at times feel like living with a long-term condition such as multiple sclerosis or type 1 diabetes."

The forum is quiet at the moment, due to the holidays, but there are a number of people here who have lung cancer and I'm sure that they'll be back soon to chat to you. 

I sincerely hope that you get your results soon. You might find it helpful to tell your children what you currently know, and then to put your heads together to draw up a list of questions to take with you to your next appointment. It is all too easy to forget something important during your consultation.

Please keep in touch and let us now how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx