What a nasty shock, I am so sorry. I hope you have family and friends with whom you can discuss your fears and the treatment plans that are being devised for you. There are people here who have had lung cancer and if you would like to pinpoint them specifically you can do so by typing "lung cancer" into the box marked Search Forum above your post. I have not had cancer myself; I am one of the many who have lost loved ones to the beast. These days it is not the death sentence it once was but still a nasty one to go through. We would be very pleased if you choose to keep us up to date with your progress and feelings.
Annieliz, Thank You for your help, I am so in the dark and living alone feel frightened, I lost my husband to liver cancer 9 years ago then had a scare and lost my left breast to cancer, this shock has really taken me into a place I don't want to be, also lost my beloved son aged 41 just 5 years ago.
Oh dear, life is not being kind to you. My mum died from liver cancer (30 years ago now) and I was so ignorant about everything. She was in hospital - there was not the same amount of support for cancer patients being treated at home in those days. She was treated well (the NHS was not under quite so much pressure in those days). That was my first brush with cancer; since then I have seen other family members and friends suffer from various forms of cancer. Although it is is no longer considered to be an automatic death sentence it still puts fear into most people when they get a diagnosis.
You shouldn't be left alone and frightened. Have you tried ringing MacMillan Cancer Care (Freefone 0808 808 0000)? Many people on this forum have spoken about how helpful they are, both by helping with the treatment and the worries. Terrible to have lost your son - we don't expect our children to die before ourselves. I hope you will continue to post here about your good days and bad days, hopes and fears. Others will come to talk to you about their experiences. I wouldn't like you to continue to feel alone.
Have received a phone call today, the hospital will see me on Tuesday so will know more then, I did speak to MacMillan, and they are awaiting my results from Tuesday to talk to me further, thank for pointing me forward at this distressing time Annieliz xx Alys
Hi. So pleased you have got an appointment for Tuesday and also that you have spoken to MacMillan. I hope you don't feel quite so isolated. Please keep posting to tell us how things are going; you might find it useful to give a short breakdown of how each day has been for you if it makes you feel less isolated. Lonely and frightened is a horrible situation.
Hello AlysAudrey. I am guessing you are alone in your home worrying yourself into a dark place. I don't know what the weather is like where you live but the sun has just forced its way out here in South London and when I am feeling low I go for a little walk. Are you up for that? Just getting yourself moving in itself improves things and seeing people going about their business and children doing their thing can make you feel part of the bigger world. It is not good, either physically or mentally, to shut yourself away. I know how pernicious isolation can be. If you really do not feel up to going out turn the telly on; at least you will see images of human beings and hear their voices.
I have a little dog, a bichon frise called Muffin which is the latest in a line of Battersea dogs we have rescued. I only tell you this because he ensures that I get out every day. I have not been great over Christmas - nothing major just a recurring bladder infection (now I hope coming under control) and have had an ulcer on my foot which is now almost cleared after a couple of months of a compression dressing which is changed weekly - and some days I felt like I didn't want to go out. But I was so pleased when I did and nicely surprised how much better the exercise made me feel (with the help of an incontinence pad for back-up!). I am not comparing my medical worries to yours but I think getting out would be good for you. And even though you won't need to talk to people you see on the street you will feel as though you have rejoined the human race.
Tuesday isn't so very far away and you shouldn't be shutting yourself away and getting yourself into a bad place.
Annieliz, Your words bring such comfort to me, I am in Staffordshire and it is very cold here, I do not drive and feel too unwell to go out, I don't watch much television, but have put it on without the sound, and yes it is a distration, I will be 74 in June and hoping for a warm summer when I can sit out on my seat on the front and see others passing, sometimes just an 'Hello' is great. I have been coughing most of the day and even a shower has left me very breathless, so now I will sit awhile and then maybe read, thank you - Alys xx
Hello alysaudrey. If you are not well enough to go out to see the world and its people then they will have to come to you. When you speak to MacMillan on Tuesday I hope you will make them aware that you are so isolated and ask them for suggestinons that would help you mix more with people. The people who post here regularly are willing to chat (I hope they don't think I have monopolised you!) and may have some suggestions for enabling you to have more of a social life. I know it is so difficult for you when you are unwell and depressed and you really need something of a distraction. So let the professionals know that you need help. Please also keep in touch here.
Hello there. I have just got back from walking the dog in one of the local parks. It was a bit nippy but more of his doggy friends with their owners (who have become my friends) kept arriving so we were there for an hour and a half. At least he has had a good run-around.
I was thinking about your isolation and wondered about clubs for over 60s in the Staffordshire area. I looked it up on the internet and there are certainly such clubs around. Do you think you might be fit enough to go there sometimes if it wasn't too far - you could perhaps take a taxi. Please do talk to MacMillan and tell them of your isolation and how depressed you are feeling.
It isn't so long until Tuesday now so you will have a better idea of what to expect. Try not to sit and brood on your own. Have you got any other family or neighbours or friends with whom you can chat?
