Joy

I've read your comments and wonder how you are doing?

Jo

Hi Jo

So sorry to hear of your husband's diagnosis. May I ask how old he is? How is he coping if that's not a daft question?

I'm still very anxiously waiting for CT scan results. I generally feel well so this is all quite bizarre and a shock to find myself in this position.

You and your husband will be in my thoughts

Andrea xx

Did you? I had the CT last Thursday. Nothing has been booked for a consultant appointment as they did the CT ahead of that. I've been told to ring the GP surgery daily to see if results are in. When they are the GP will call me to explain the results. 

Had you already seen a consultant who then ordered the CT scan?

A xx

He went to the GP on Thurs pm, who sent him for xray Frid am. Xray dept sent him to a ward for review and a Dr there ordered Lung Drain, CT, cardiogram and gave strong antibiotics. CT was on the following Sat, and on the Tues after a respitory consultant from hospital called to explain he'd seen CT and wanted to see us that week and that he had concerns re liver so would organise a biopsy.

Actually when I read all that I realise it doesn't look good

That must have been a scary whirlwind for you both. So something's showed on x-ray that prompted CT scan? My x-ray was ok but because it's coughing blood they have to do 2 week referral but first GP didn't so I checked the NICE guidelines online and went back to a different GP

A x

Just wanted to say I hope the appointment gives you a better idea of a direction and what is going on

I will be thinking of you

Andrea xx

Hi Jo,

Thanks for your message and for thinking of me. . I am sure that you and your husband are very anxious about today but also ready to get some answers and move on from this horrible time. I hope he gets some relief from his symptoms as well, your description of his cough and breathlesssness reminds me of where I was and it is very hard I know, especially when you are facing such a shock.

My tumour was large but luckily operable. As I had no other sites except for a lymph node within the same lung, my left lung was removed. This was mid December. Unfortunately, the histology revealed a small colony of cancer cells on my lung lining,  which meant that the cancer had entered my system and I am stage 4 and not curable.  A mutation in the BRAF gene was found in the cancer and I am on targeted therapy now, which involves me taking tablets every day. I am not having chemotherapy or immunotherapy which is good. As far as the oncologist knows, I have, I think,  a better than even chance of surviving 5 years, but 3 monthly scans will reveal if the drugs are working. 
 

I had some side effects from the drugs but they have settled now after 4 weeks and I feel well, so I'm just getting on with life and trying to cope mentally with a very different outlook. The pressure goes on to personal relationships because things change. I am probably a bit more selfish! It's about remembering that the people who love me are also going through it.

I am thinking of you both today and I hope that effective treatment is forthcoming and your love sustains you. Let me know how it goes.

Joy x

Thanks for the support 

Yesterday meeting went better than we thought in an emotional sense. 

He will start chemo on 2nd March and hopefully that will keep it at bay or reduce it. Then maintenance after that. 

The Dr was great and went thru the figures with us showing us the data from trials 

So he has a 50% chance of 12 months and a 10% of 2 years,so that's what we're aiming for! His 60th in August 2022. Why not aim for the 10%??

Jo 

Hi Jo,

I've sent you a private message.

Joy x