Not coping. 40 brain tumours found, then I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer

Hi my name is Sam, 6 weeks ago I had terrible headache for 2 weeks, I ended up up A&E diagnosed with over 40 brain tumors in the morning after that diagnosis I was diagnosed with lung cancer, which is stage 4, I had a weeks worth of radiotherapy, loosing all my hair, the hospital wanted me to start chemo asap as I was coming up in lots of lumps, since having chemo I do not feel well at all, my mouth is so sore I cannot eat anything could anyone tell me if this is normal? The side effects are hard, does anybody know what could help with this? Thank you for any feedback much appreciated Sam 

  • Hello Sam50,

                          l went through chemo/radio and it was not for the faint of heart.It can take you to the edge of destruction as it seeks to destroy the enemy within. l get the impression from your post that the treatment regime prescribed for you is one that seeks to take no prisoners and that force and speed are the order of the day.

    l remenber well that the only comfort l could find as l dragged myself through each succesive day was that if l felt this obliterated,my unwelcome guest was also getting a  bloody good seeing to. What you describe is the same that many of us have gone through, its unusual for one to breeze through this sort of highly intensive treatment.

    Mental attitude is your best friend, seeking the little positives and avoiding stress is a great ally. Finding something to do that will take your mind away from your distress ,even for a short while each day is good, it breaks the cycle of feeling awful, if only in short bursts at first..Don't stop doing something, change your approach on how you go about it.Accept that it will be different from the past and will take longer, but getting there eventually gives you such a boost and encouragement, and you can build from there..Work rest work was my ethos

    You have little option but to stick with it, but you do have the option of manner of how you stick with it. as a recovered stage 4 survivor l know that it served me well on my path to recovery that l started 10 years ago.

    It does get easier but at the beginning it felt like everyday had an extra few hours bolted on that l had to get through, but  as time moves on, suddenly there is not enough hours in the day to achieve everything l had planned--its called improvement and l hope you manage to find the same as l did.

    My very best wishes for your improving future,

    David

  • I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis Sam.  You have been so up front about the hurdles you face, I think this is a real sign of strength.  And you are seeking to do something about them.  There should be medication out there for each of the side effects you are experiencing so I would pin down your nurse / oncologist and get them to prescribe whatever it is you need to make life a bit easier for you.  Your sore mouth sounds entirely normal by the way - though I haven’t personally experienced it - yet - I have heard lots of conversations about it in the chemo cubicles..  I know there are mouth washes, gentle toothpaste and very soft toothbrushes available to help. The very best of luck with everything.