Hi, husband diagnosed with Stage 3 NSCLC

Hi, I'm not new to cancer and have lost a sibling, breast cancer and my dad to this horrible disease. My living sister has fought breast cancer and is NED at this time. I myself have had various procedures to get rid of precancerous lumps, breast and cervix.

My husband who is 72 has been newly diagnosed with stage 3 nsclc with lymph node involvement. We have been told only chemotherapy and radio will be offered. 

He first went to his GP nearly a year ago and was fobbed off with antibiotics and inhalers. It took 3 months of calling the GP to finally be referred for a chest xray which was clear. That was followed by more calls to hubs GP insisting he was feeling worse and virtually begged for an urgent referral. Waited another 3 months until finally diagnosed after 3 CT scans and 1 PET scan.

Currently waiting on a brain scan before any treatment can begin. Meanwhile my poor husband grows steadily worse. I hasten to add that every communication was done by phone calls and letters. Hubs GP didnt see him in the flesh once and his consultant only saw him once, to do the bronoscopy. 

I apologise for the long rant but feel better for it. Thanks for listening and best wishes to you all.

  • Hello Tootsiepops

    I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis and the fight that you've had on your hands over the past year to get a diagnosis. It's obviously been a difficult time for you both and I can understand why you may be feeling worried, anxious, upset, and angry. I hope that being able to "rant" here on the forum has helped. 

    Does your husband have a date for his scan? Hopefully, he won' have to wait too long, and then he will be able to start treatment. 

    We do have some information here on our website which you may find useful but I also wanted to let you know that we have a team of nurses that you can call to chat with about things. They're available Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm on 0808 800 4040 and I'm sure they will do their best to offer you any advice, information and support that they can. 

    If you feel that you want to raise your concerns about the delay in your husband's diagnosis then do get in touch with the surgery Practice Manager to let them know how you've been both left feeling. 

    Keep in touch Tootsiepops. Let us know how you're both doing and we'll do our best to try and support you. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator