Stepdad diagnosed with Lung Cancer last Wednesday - 1/7/15

Hi, my Stepdad was diagnosed with Lung Cancer last week.  I and the rest of my family are in complete shock.  He had been to the drs on several occasions complaining of chest pain and a pain in his shoulder and the dr thought it was a pulled muscle, but on Wednesday sent him for an x-ray at our local hospital.  They found something on the x-ray and he was then sent for a ct scan. They told him he had lung cancer and there was also something on his ribs.  They think it is small cell lung cancer.  He is going for a percutaneous needle biopsy on Tuesday next week followed by a lung test the following Monday - after these tests we should get a proper diagnosis and know exactly what we are dealing with.  He seems very upbeat and matter of fact about it all.  Previous to this in mid May my Mom was blue lighted to hospital after having a seizure and was in intensive care for a while followed by a lengthy hospital stay.  She has high blood pressure and poor kidney function, a few years previously she suffered from a stroke and is still in poor health (self inflicted - poor diet/smoking/drinking/lack of exercise!).  We are also due to go on a long holiday at the beginning of August (for approximately one month!), we are going to USA and Canada (my eldest son will be staying in Canada for the year!)  I have such a lot going on in my head right now!

  • Hi

    Just noticed that  you had not yet received a reply to your post so thought I would start the ball rolling by welcoming you to the forum and hopefully other friendly folk will be along to say hello.  It is always hard when we first learn of a diagnosis and the waiting for results of tests/biopsy/scans can seem like forever.

    Hopefully your Stepdad will will soon be a little clearer on what is going on and learn what and when a treatment plan will be set up. It must be very difficult trying to get your head around it all as well as worrying about your Mum's poor health and whether you can get away for  your holiday.  If he was due to go on the holiday too he may need to ask his medical team for advice on this. Always best to write down any questions the family may have beforehand as its easy to forget something once at the appointment.

    Use the fourm as and when you need to share your feelings/ concerns as there are many here who will relate to what you are going through just now. Regards Jules54 

  • Thanks for the reply - I appreciate it. My stepdad isn't going away with us, but I am worried about what might happen prior to going or even whilst away.  I do hope that we will get results before our holiday - not looking forward to the coming months!

  • Hopefully they will let your StepDad know how long before the results of the biopsy will come through. It really does seem to vary from area to area. When my husband had his (through NHS) it was just over two weeks before he got a call to make an appointment to discuss findings. The process for full diagnosis/treatment plan took around four months but everyone's experience will be different, depending on the outcome of all the testing.  Hope you still manage to enjoy your holiday and see your son settled in his new surroundings.Jules