Hi all,

Been having a read through a lot of the posts on here this morning and have seen how supportive everyone is and just wanted to tell the start of my dads story which I am hoping isn't going to be our worst fears realised.

My dad is 55 and for the past 2 months or so he has had a chesty cough, been breathless and bringing up phlegm. He had been to the Drs on several occasions been given a few different antibiotics as well inhalers but nothing has touched the problem. He was sent for an X-ray and blood tests a couple of weeks ago and on Friday 21st July the GP surgery contacted him and said they needed to see him ASAP based on what was shown on the x-ray and could he bring someone with him.

My mum and dad have been divorced for 20 odd years now and he has no other family close by so I of course went with him.

Based on the fact he was told to bring someone with him we of course knew it wouldn't be good news.

The GP explained that there has been a circular mass found on his left lung which whilst they don't say the C word until they know for sure it really doesn't look good. He said in some scenarios it has turned out to be a deep rooted infection but based on the fact dad has been on several antibiotics etc and the symptoms haven't got any better we need to prepare ourselves for the worst.

My dad has already received his appointment for the clinic at the hospital for this Monday but I'm just really confused as to what they are looking for and what the next steps will be.

I can't even begin to comprehend what my dad is going through at the moment as so much is unknown and until we know what we are dealing with I don't know what to feel As the Dr has given that small glimmer of hope that it may just be a stubborn infection I can't even begin to accept that he may have lung cancer.

My dad and I have had a strained relationship at times but I'm 29 and don't want to lose him. I know we can't say what the outcome or plan of action will be but I am just so so scared for him.

 Betsy 

xx