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First steps on my journey

Britething
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Hello everyone,

I'm new here. Waiting on my results Friday following a PET scan and MRI of the brain. Hope they find I still have one, lol. Anxiety is a poor bedfellow, nighttime scrolling means my peace of mind is shot to pieces. Not yet 59, 2cm lesion on my right lung, the radiologist doesn't like the look of the spiky nodule. Got lucky in getting an appointment in a good cancer centre, but still very nervous about my upcoming appointment. What to tell the kids (how much info)? Hubby never around due to his work, I know this is a journey I will be travelling alone. Any advice would be welcome, even just a friendly hello. It's hard not to feel daunted. So much information out there (drug trials, innovative protocols, etc). So glad to have discovered this forum to connect with fellow-travellers. All the best to you all ...

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    Hello britething

    Sending you lots of love. I'm travelling again with a second diagnosis of breast cancer within 11 yrs...can I do all the chemo stuff again,  you bet I can, Im not going anywhere yet. Stay positive,  even though I no it's dam hard too, and stop scrolling.!!..xxx

  • Offline in reply to Coffeetable

    Thanking you for your kind words. And best of luck on your second ride on this crazy rollercoaster of a journey.

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    Hi Britething,  yes it is a horrible journey to be on and it can feel like a lonely journey too.  I bet you are nervous for your appointment tomorrow, I am praying that you get good news.  I am on this journey for a second time too.  This time it is not curable but treatable.  I find that this forum and the Macmillan forum help me tremendously.  Everyone is on the same journey at different stages.  Good luck for tomorrow.  Sending you hugs x

  • Offline in reply to leelaloo

    Thank you so much. I’ll be back with news hopefully tomorrow evening. All the best to you too.

  • Offline in reply to Britething

    Hi Britething,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

     I am sorry to hear that you are travelling this journey alone, but rest assured that there are plenty of us here to keep you company and offer support and the benefit of our experience where possible. What you tell the kids depends upon what age they are. Macmillan produce a booklet entitled "Talking to children and teenagers when an adult has cancer" - visit be.macmillan.org.uk or call 0808 808 00 00. You might find this helpful in tackling this problem.

    Waiting for results is one of the hardest parts of our cancer journey. I agree with Carol. Steer clear of consulting "Dr Google". Much of the information is poorly researched, out of date and nearly all is aimed at the more spectacular cases. This won't give you any answers and will only serve to  scare you further.

    I am glad to hear that you'll soon know the outcome, as the unknown is a very uncomfortable place to be. I shall be thinking of you tomorrow and I hope that it goes well. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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    Hello friend, I'm  sending you very best,positive thoughts. I too am new here. Following  a routine  op,I got a phone call out of the blue to said I had cancer  of the gallbladder.   Your description  of a path to be taken on your own really resonates  with me as that is exactly  how I feel. Be kind to yourself.

  • Offline in reply to FlorenceH

    Hello everyone,

    Thank you all so much for your kind responses. I went in for the consultation and found that they think the 2cm nodule is 'highly suspicious'. So no metastasis at this point, but a biopsy is programmed for some time in the next two weeks, and most likely reductive surgery after that. Biopsy has a 1/3 risk of pneumothorax (lung collapse?), so that is stressful in itself. Taking a few days to digest the news. Youngest has exams coming up, so it's info on a need-to-know basis for the family at this point. My network of friends have been really great (taking me to the station, letting me stay over, have meals that I didn't have to cook, etc). That has been a godsend. Knowing I have fellow-travellers here is really supportive too. I am so glad this forum exists ...

    Best to you all.

  • Offline in reply to Britething

    Good luck with the biopsy. I had a lung biopsy two weeks ago, ct guided. Didn't feel a thing. A but uncomfortable fir a day's. Was warned about a collapsed lung. They to tell you the risks. It isn't as bad as you think. 

  • Offline in reply to ChristineMac

    Thanks for that Christine. How was your outcome? 10-15 days for the results or quicker?

    All the best …

  • Offline in reply to Britething

    I had a consultant appointment on Wednesday. Stage 2 and hasn't spread very lucky. Only one result had come back. Lobectomy recommended. Hopefully, that will get rid of it. Hope you get a good outcome too. Try and stay positive.  Let me know how you get on. Its an emotional rollercoaster. 

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