My brother in law is quite ill with a skin issue, one of those rare things that causes blisters everywhere. My wife has been really worried about him and he called her today and said he is improving slowly. He added...'it's bad but it's not like it's cancer thankfully.':neutral:

We went out on Saturday for dinner with my mum and had to get into a small lift to get to the restaurant. There was one poster in the lift, about cancer support lines. 

I seem to see cancer stuff everywhere now and while I accept my (still to be finally confirmed) cancer, it's hard to put it to the back of your mind when it is everywhere. 

Still dreading telling veryone, will put it off for as long as I can...

More random ramblings to follow....:laugh:

People sometimes say stuff out of ignorance or as a misguided attempt to reassure. I hear what you say about the psychological impact of the word "cancer".

It's still the case that a lot of cancers can be successfully treated nowadays (while some of those rare blistering diseases can't or their treatments become too much for the body to tolerate over time – more so in the elderly/immunocompromised).

It's really good that your brother-in-law is improving and, while I understand how his careless comment has impacted on you, don't dwell on it.

Hope you start your treatment plan soon as waiting is truly horrible. Keep hold of positives like Hutchi has given you. And try to make the most of every day rather than letting cancer drag you into a psychological black hole ... 

Thanks RSB. I am, at the moment, unbothered by it all. I don't know if I am going to last 6 months or 26 years. Or get run over by a bus tomorrow! For me, I'm not letting it affect me and, as I feel 100%, I am carrying on as normal.

It took a couple of weeks to get over the initial shock for me but since then I have been fine. However my wife is just into the second week of finding out and so I spend time reassuring her a lot. 

Went in for my biopsy today (results next week). I was home by 11am! Amazing that they can scan you, go right into your lung, take samples and you’re home before lunch.

At least that's the biopsy over and done with, and 1 week isn't too much of a wait for the results either with all things considered, though small comfort I know. Will keep everything crossed for you - please let us know how things go.

So...firstly, went to see the consultants last week. I was slightly forgotten in the outpatients but they found a spare consultant to see me. I was slightly confident it wasn't bad news if they just were going to find a random consultant for me.

However, I was expecting the worst and..... they said the biopsy was not showing any cancer and so it was probably a touch of pneumonia or something and I should take some antibiotics. they had sent my test off to another lab to double check though. So, fantastic news and a big relief for my wife.

But...we came back from hols today to find a letter asking me to come in on Monday. It may be just to confirm all is ok but now we can't help wondering if it is something they found in the second lab....

Argh, firstly that's amazing news and it must have been such a relief for you, but then it probably feels like a never ending nightmare with the letter appearing when you got back. It must be so stressful. But I hope it at least enabled you to have a worry-free holiday and you had a nice time away... 

Fingers crossed that on Monday it's just a case of them confirming the test results came back negative again, leaving you free to get on with your life. I don't know for sure but I get the impression they would call you back to confirm and discharge you either way(?) so perhaps pointless reading into why they want you to return.

I'll be thinking of you on Monday! Please do continue to keep us updated.

Thanks Paul. Looking at the letter it says  'Clinician: lung Function Room' i wonder if it is just some lung function test...

As you say, great news and then maybe not!

Hi RossM,

Hoping you're OK. Just thought I'd check in - was it this Monday you went back in? Understand if you don't want to reply just yet or maybe you're busy, but wanted you to know I thought of you nonetheless.