Are these feelings normal?

After my diagnosis for lung cancer a few days ago I feel so numb and so much in shock i don’t seem to be able to function or even think straight.

I have tried to stay focused but each time it comes back to the same thing, that the future prognosis wasn’t good and now the things I had planned for the future which requires any time of effort now seems to be absolutely pointless

Tonight my partner and I sat and talked quite seriously about the future but both of us were only just about keeping the other afloat so to speak as we were trying very hard not to be tearful. For the past six months we were concerned about my forthcoming renal transplant but now since the diagnosis of lung cancer as well even that can no longer go ahead.  Time does seem so very short indeed for all the things we wanted to say and do and things are moving so quickly now I cannot even begin to comprehend everything

I have my pre-op assessment next week and no doubt the operation to remove the lung may well be very soon after that, but with my current health status, I can help wondering if I’ll even survive that.  Neither can I bear to think of leaving my partner whom I love so dearly and it worries me so much to know he will be alone.

Can someone please help me to understand these feelings? 

 

 

 

  • Your diagnosis is very recent and I am sorry to read of the situation you are in; your feelings of distress are entirely normal and understandable.  I am sure others on this forum who have known similarly distressing situations will come along and share their experiences.  Noting the time of your post (which indicates lack of sleep) I just wanted to come and say hello and welcome to this forum.  I hope that with support you will get through the worst of this and be able to regain some focus of what is important for you and what you want to do.  Very best wishes to you and your partner.

     

  • Hi and welcome to the forum.

    What awful news to have to come to terms with for both you and your partner.

    I'm afraid there's no such thing as normal in such extraordinary circumstances, we all come to terms with things differently.

    Shock and disbelief are typical of the early stages of the grieving process and it is still early days for you  yet. Give yourself time to come to term with the news and to find out what is likely to happen next.

    Good luck to you both

    Dave