Husband newly diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer

My husband has been diagnosed with lung cancer that his spread to the right side of his brain. He is 52 and we have 3 boys 19, 16 and 12. We are no mans land just now while we wait for immuno history chemistry results to come back to decide on treatment.( which feels like the longest wait of our lives) He is currently on steroids to reduce the swelling in the brain and not sure if it that or just processing the diagnosis but he is all over the place… planning about a million things in one day and spiralling out of control almost. Crazy highs and lows. I just wondered if anyone else had experienced this and how to cope with it. All our emotions are heightened. He won’t sleep for longer than 2 and he needs his rest. It’s awful and so sad I just want to help.

  • Hello Kedi, 

    I am so sorry to hear about your husband's metastatic lung cancer and that it has spread to the right side of his brain. It must be so hard for you all as a family at the moment and your boys are still very young and I am thinking of you today and I hope that you can have some quality time together for Christmas. 

    I hope that you won't have to wait too long for these important results and I can imagine this is a time of year when things can drag on so I hope you won't be feeling in no man's land for much longer and that you get clarity regarding treatment soon. It sounds like the steroids might be causing these highs and lows and if you feel he is really spiralling out of control, it might be worth talking to his doctor or medical team about his restlessness and the fact that he won't sleep for long. 

    We also have a nurse helpline you can call which is closed now for Christmas but it will re-open on Monday 29th December and the number to ring is 0808 800 4040 from 9am to 5pm. 

    We're thinking of you during this difficult time and I just wanted you to know that you are not alone and I hope that you will hear from members of community who find themselves in a similar situation at the moment. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator