Mother about to be diagnosed with Lung Cancer

Hello,

My mother is 82, gave up smoking 29 years ago and has had a bronchoscopy for suspected lung cancer. She had over 2 l fluid on her lung which has been drained and a ct scan has shown a 5.1cm lesion that has spread to 2 lymph nodes and because of this and the fluid (pleural effusion)  they are classing it as stage 4.

Once results are in there will be another mdt meeting and she is going to see Consultant (with me) on Jan 8th,it would be sooner but obviously Xmas and New Year are slowing things up. Now my mum didnt understand the terminology in her discharge note and she is in denial and tbh Im not prepared to burst her bubble.

I presume her only course of treament will be palliative care...I have had bone cancer mself so unfortunately have a bit of  an idea of his evil disease alhough I was very lucky and am in remission.

I will be her sole carer as my brother died 9 years ago and I want to be as aware of the situation and of things that will happen to her as possible.When we go for her Consultants meeting does anyone know how they will advise her that it is incurable...will they give her a full prognosis and possibly a time scale? I want to be as geared up as possible for her so I can be as helpful to her as I possibly can.I would love to think they are wrong because I adore my mum and although she is 82 Im not ready to lose her and never thought she would get lung cancer because she had stopped smoking so long ago.

The lung cancer nurses are being wonderful and calling her most days, the card they gave her says chest nurses but looking up the hospital I saw that they are lung cancer nurses so that sort of dashed any bit of hope I had.

Sorry to ramble on but thanks so much for reading..consultant thinks its T4N2M1A.

Thanks again,

Jacci

Parents
  • Just come off the phone to Ma and she has said she needs to go into a nursing home as she cannot walk 2 steps without being out of breath and is being sick very often, carer has been but still waiting for district nurse.I have told her to tell nurses how bad she is and hopefully they can start the ball rolling on that. The idea is for her to go into a nursing home nearer to me, tbh I would rather she went straight into a hospice as I know the care there would be second to none but obviously they feel she isnt ready for that yet.

    Mum was less confused but of course I had to start crying down the phone didnt I and she had to comfort me......a lot of support I am.

    Take care all,

    Jacci xx

  • Hi Jacci

    Sorry that things are so stressful at the moment. Would it help to talk to our nurses? They might be able to advise you about how to navigate the problems you are having with visits and referrals for your mum.

    Calls are free from UK landlines and many mobile phones. You can call Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on: 0808 800 4040.

    Best wishes to you at this difficult time.

    Jane

Reply
  • Hi Jacci

    Sorry that things are so stressful at the moment. Would it help to talk to our nurses? They might be able to advise you about how to navigate the problems you are having with visits and referrals for your mum.

    Calls are free from UK landlines and many mobile phones. You can call Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on: 0808 800 4040.

    Best wishes to you at this difficult time.

    Jane

Children
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