on the 28 day pathway for lung cancer - waiting is dreadful

hello everyone 

My name is Caroline and I'm a 66 yr old grandmother .  I retired on the 31st Dec, and on the 5th Jan I received a call from a doctor ( not my doctor - a locum) that was a bolt out of the blue.  i had been feeling fluey and a bit rough on and off since the end of November ( but so had nearly everyone else around me - so didn't think much of it - grandkids - bugs etc  ) Was okay around Christmas and then around the 1st Jan started to feel really unwell - coughing, hot etc.  I assumed it was an infection - On the 4th went to the docs and got some anitbiotics and she asked me to go for an X-ray  - which i did.  She then phoned me the same day and more or less told me I had lung cancer .... that I had a 6cm density on my lung  - and it was very unlikely that it was anything other than lung cancer and I needed to prepare myself.  I had blood tests, all normal - but of course I know that that doesn't mean anything. I have been torturing myself ever since - convinced that I have stage 4 lung cancer .... and my anxiety is through the roof.  Can't seem to stop myself from googling every 5 minutre !  I finally had a CT scan on Monday, but was told it could be another 2 weeks until I hear anything. Which means I definitely wouldn't get a diagnosis within the timeframe

 Cancer is very prevalent in my family and if anything, i expected to get breast cancer ( my mother and 3 sisters all had it )  I had a breast reduction in 2019 and they found a LCIS - a lobula carcinoma in situ - which i understand is pre-cancer - completely encapsulated .  I was then just put back on annual breast screening  - which i've been doing for over 20 years. I am up and down, all over the place emotionally - one minute - It's okay - lets just get on with it  and the next is what is going to happen... how long have I got ... how do i tell the kids....  I'm so desperate that I know how much pain this is going to cause and I have no control .... thank you for listening. 

BTW - cough is much better , and physically i feel fine ... so confusing. 

Parents
  • Hi Caroline sorry to read that you're going through all this it is absolute hell not knowing what you're facing and the feelings of pure panic,  I'm going through a similar thing but mines breast cancer for the 3rd time,  I've been bluntly told last Monday I can be treated but not cured, my oncologist appointment isn't until the 16th of Feb so I feel like I'm in limbo,  praying for a miracle for us all,  it helps to know you're not alone xx

  • I am so sorry to hear that you are having to face this for a third time .... i can't even comprehend what that must be like ! And to be told so bluntly is horrible ... and having to wait so long for your oncologist appointment must be unbearable .... especially given what they've told you ... sending you all of my prayers, wishes and hugs x

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  • I am so sorry to hear that you are having to face this for a third time .... i can't even comprehend what that must be like ! And to be told so bluntly is horrible ... and having to wait so long for your oncologist appointment must be unbearable .... especially given what they've told you ... sending you all of my prayers, wishes and hugs x

Children