Hi love, my husband who is 74 was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, incurable three years ago aged 71.  He is now having immunotherapy as he has had chemo and radiotherapy previously.  So try not to despair just yet.  A positive attitude helps a lot and his oncologist will do all they can for him.  I don't know how old he is but a lot of men don't want to burden family, my husband very rarely talks about it to our daughters, he wants to have fun and laugh with them, not be  discussing cancer all the time.  I'll follow your post and see how you get 9n.  Best wishes, Carol x 

Hi Carol,

Firstly I am so sorry to hear about your husband but glad the treatment is making progress.

I know this might be a personal question but how is the chemo and radiotherapy treatment? Was he OK with it?

You don't have to answer it if you don't want to.

My dad is only 65 and in good health. The doctor is shocked that he doesn't have symptoms and classes him as young and fit so hopefully that will go in his favour. He doesnt smoke but unfortunately his mum had lung cancer so they think it might have carried on in the family.

I just find it so unfair when he is truly the best dad and does everything right, but anyway...Yes we are trying to carry on as normal and I guess its still very early stages for us all for this news but we have to continue and be happy.

Thank you so much for your message as its really helped me as this moment in time x

Hi again, my husband had no symptoms but a cough, but despite five x rays showing a shadow no one did anything until it was too late to operate.  He was OK with the chemotherapy but the more you have the more problems it causes.  The treatment now is gauged to each individual so the oncologist will sort the amount out.  It's amazing how many cancers show no symptoms at all, people expect to be severely unwell with cancer and that's not always the case.  His Mum died of lung cancer as well but both were smokers, so hopefully your Dad will cope well.  Here if you need a chat.  Carol x 

Hi there Smileandcare,

It must be shocking news; it was a big shock when my mum was diagnosed with stage 3B lung cancer in Feb. My mum didn't have any symptoms either. Luckily my mum is doing really well and recently stared immunotherapy. We often see cancer as a death sentence; that's the first thought that pops into people's minds, no matter how treatable or curable it is.

Treatment for lung cancer has greatly improved and even for people with the most advanced stage. There is a lot more hope and a lot of treatment options. Dor06's story shows how far treatment has come. Cancer has become more like a chronic illness; even if it can't be cured, it can be managed for many years. 

I expected the worst with my mum, but the doctors were so positive. One of the consultants said that 10-15 years ago if my mum had lung cancer it would have been bad news. So please don't think the worst. Cancer is scary, but you're not alone.

Best wishes to you and your dad; I hope that he gets the best possible treatment and will do well. x

Hi catlady91,

Thank you so much for your message and I'm so sorry to hear that your mum has got the same too.

I saw my dad today and obviously he is very down but he is trying to put a smile on his face. I know as soon as we get to know more on Tuesday we can hopefully accept it (to some sort of degree) and try to be positive.

Wow that is unbelievable that it has improved that much!!

Can I ask...how is the treatment for your mum?

Also, has the treatment continued during covid? 

As we know how horrendous it has been for everyone, it is even more worrying with a potential second wave due. 

No one wants cancer or to ever be poorly but its even harder now especially as I cannot even give him a hug. I'm worried constantly if he goes out. He only does a food shop but its constantly on my mind as I'm sure you all will be the same!

Thank you again though as you have made me alot more positive x

Hi there Smileandcare,

I'm glad that you're feeling more positive. Positivity and not giving up are so important. I would never give up on my mum, even in the worst case scenario, God forbid and hopefully it won't happen. However I would raise whatever money, find the best specialist, do whatever it takes to get her better. Giving up for me is not an option and neither is it for my mum. There are so many more treatment options available including targeted therapy and immunotherapy that were not available before so there's every reason to be hopeful. It seems like this has been the decade for progress in treating and curing cancer and hopefully the progress will keep on continuing. Cancer is already becoming a chronic condition like diabetes and MS for many people. A chronic condition that people can LIVE with!

Luckily my mum's treatment was not stopped during COVID. She had five or six weeks of intensive radiotherapy and two rounds of chemo. Now she's having immunotherapy. My mum had horrible side effects with the chemo but the immunotherapy is nowhere near as bad and she can function as normal on it. The doctors and nurses have been fantastic as well. 

Hopefully there won't be a second wave of COVID; I don't trust everything that the media says. It's good to take precautions when going and abide by social distancing. Most supermarkets are really strict as well which makes me feel more at ease. 

Good luck with the appointment. Please keep me updated. I was so terrified about the appointments with my mum but they were never as bad as they were in my mind. Like I said there's so many options that weren't available before. Even if cancer can't be cured, people can live with it for years. Hopefully they will give your dad immunotherapy as well.

Best wishes x

Hello,

As promised, I am here with an updated.

After a couple of weeks going back and forth to doctors (my dad) and waiting for phone calls, they have confirmed that it isnt lung cancer but he does have non Hodgkin lymphona.

It is very severe however the doctor has said he doesnt understand why he doesnt have any other symptoms. They did say without treatment, his health could change overnight and last a few months.

However he is down for a heart scan to make sure that is OK. Then he will go to hospital for 3 solid weeks for chemo, back home for a little while and then back for 3 weeks again.

Hopefully this will reduce the current tumour in his lung and other bits that have spread.

The only positive I can take right now is that they have said it is curable and he is in good health...

Really proves that you have to live your life everyday and go to the doctors immediately if you know there is something wrong!!

Hi Smileandcare, thanks for the update. Cancer is never great news but even in dire situations there can be positives. Non-Hodgkins lymphoma is one of the most treatable cancers and the fact that the doctors have said that it's curable despite it spreading is great news. Good health always makes a difference and influences survival. Many people find it hard to believe that my mum has cancer as she's so well! Her doctors keep telling her how fantastic she looks! 

It's important to stay positive and strong. Cancer sucks but it doesn't have to take over your life and your frame of mind. There's been a lot of advances in just a few years and there's being more treatments approved. Cancer no longer has to be a death sentence.

Wishing you and your dad well x