A very warm welcome to our forum and I just wanted to say it's an important step you made already in joining the forum and telling us a little bit about your diagnosis when it has been so hard for you to talk about it. It's not always easy to talk about cancer and how the diagnosis has affected you on so many levels. Feel free to open up to us if you want to and to tell us whatever you feel comfortable sharing really. You can say as much or as little as you want. If you feel happy to share what cancer you were diagnosed with, don't hesitate to do so and perhaps others who have had exactly the same diagnosis will see your post and respond with their own experiences.
I hope that you are doing well 15 months on and if you ever wanted to talk to our cancer nurses about anything, you can reach them on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
I will now let other members of our community come and say hello - they will I am sure understand better than anyone how you feel and how hard it can be to talk about it even over a year later.
Hi, I don't really know where to start it's hard very hard. 15 months ago I was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer after having a x-ray for a ongoing cough and chest infection. They called me the next day and asked me to go to the surgery to see them, I knew something was found on the x-ray and my fears were confirmed. The doctor told me they had found a tiny lump I'm the bottom of my left lung and my lymph nodes in my chest were enlarged. Right then my world collapsed I didn't think about myself it was what do I tell my children and grandchildren also have a 2 Yr old great grandson. Anyway I managed to tell them my.son told my grandchildren and they set up a group message. I had 3 months of chemo last January to March and I have immunotherapy every 6 weeks. I feel so alone I'm not sure if it is normal to feel like this. My very close friend's know but all they ask is how are you and I reply I'm fine but inside I really not. I just don't know what to say or do or how to approach it really if anyone understands this. Thank you for reading
Cancer can indeed be a very lonely place. And it can be scary to say the word cancer or to share with others just how you're feeling. Unfortunately, unless we're brave enough to share our concerns, fears and uncertainty with our loved ones and friends, it can be really difficult to get the support we need.
You have already been brave this week by reaching out to the community here at Cancer Chat. You've taken the first step today by replying to Moderator Lucie's message and sharing with us how you're feeling and the struggles that you're experiencing. And I wanted to say how proud I am of you for finding the strength to take these first steps.
It's good to hear that you've had support from family and friends. It's really a very normal behaviour to want to protect those around us and not worry them with how we might be feeling. But from your post, I'm sure that your son, grandchildren and close friends would want to be able to support you. And so it's perfectly ok that when someone asks you how you're feeling, to be honest in your reply and say "you know what, I'm not doing so well today". It's a way to open up a conversation and to share a little more with those who love and care for you.
Sometimes putting things down in writing can be easier. It may be that you might find it slightly easier to open a conversation with your son by putting things in a text message or letter. Perhaps you might even choose to show him this thread on the forum as a way to let him know that you're struggling and don't quite know how to share that without causing more worry, or getting upset or overwhelmed by things.
Hopefully, you'll be able to connect with other members who have been diagnosed with cancer and understand some of what you're feeling. I can see that Santos9769 recently joined the forum and is also living with stage 3 lung cancer. Hopefully, they will see my tag in this message and pop by to say hello.
I don't know if you have a specialist cancer nurse or if you'd feel comfortable talking with your treatment team, but it's also worth letting them know that you've been feeling lonely and that you're struggling to talk with people about your diagnosis. They will know what support services are available in your local area. Alternatively, if you'd like to chat things through with one of our nurses, you are most welcome to give them a call. I know they will be happy to listen and offer any advice, information and support they can.
Please know that you're not alone Nene62. Keep posting if it helps to put down in writing how you're feeling. Keep being brave - the Cancer Chat community is here for you.
Sending my best wishes, Jenn Cancer Chat moderator
