Morning, my lovely mum has just been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer with pleural effusion. She is 83 years young and a fighter. She had surgery for lung cancer 3 and a half years ago and has had regular scans since. She has been complaining of pain on the site of the surgery on her left side for years but was told it was scar tissue.
After repeated visits to the GP for pain and increasing breathlessness she was put on angina meds. A scan in November has shown a cancer in her scar tissue which has spread to the pleural cavity and she has a pleural effusion. We have been told that it is not treatable.
We can't understand how it has been missed after regular scans and are shell shocked by the diagnosis. We have an appointment with the oncologist to see if they can do anything to stop the spread but this will depend on mum's fitness, which at the moment isn't good.
Just hoping for some support and advice from anyone going through similar experience. TIA.
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TAstar
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Hello, I just want to say I have some understanding of how you are feeling. My father had cancer of the lung some years ago. Like your mum he kept on having pain after an operation which was put down to scar tissue. Sadly, by the time his pain was taken seriously they found it had moved to the pleura. Things have moved on now and hopefully something can be done to help your mum. Thinking of you and hoping you will have better news after speaking with the oncologist.Xx
Thank you for your reply. Sadly, your dad's case sounds just like mum's. Her cancer has spread to the pleural cavity too and when I read the consultant letter this weekend it appears she has an enlarged lymph node that they haven't told us about. I had to Google the terminology to work it out.She had the fluid drained off on Friday and that has relieved some of her discomfort.
We are waiting for an appointment with the oncologist and hope they can offer her something, but she is not strong physically.
This is so frustrating considering they have been doing regular scans since your mum's operation. I sincerely hope they can at least contain the spread of the cancer and they give her some pain medication to keep her comfortable.
That must have been an awful shock to find this out. I hope when you and your mum see the ongologist your mum gets some good news. I will be thinking of her. Please keep us updated on how your mam and you are. Welcome to the site we are always here for you. Have a lovely day and take care 😊 Bernadette and Jack 🐕 xxxxxx
Dear TAstar, I’m really sorry to hear this and that somehow it’s gotten missed 😢 I hope you’ll find plenty of support and kindness here! Please let us know how the appointment with the oncologist goes and come here any time you need some support!
So sorry to hear your news Tia. In this day and age its impossible to understand how these things havent been picked up on regular scans. I do hope your mum can get the treatment she needs and soon x
Have heard on the grape vine and don't know if it's true but if one is over 70years old n h s will not pay for cancer treatment if clinicians consider it terminal .
We are in touch with the Macmillan nurses and we had an holistic review last week. I've asked about counselling for mum but also for my sister who is struggling to cope with everything. Apparently, mum isn't ill enough to warrant support from the counsellors at the hospice.I just wondered if anyone had any advice of any support groups in the Scarborough/ York area? Or failing that, what to say and how best to support them. Xx
Thank you for all your kind messages. My mum has just started on target therapy drug Tragisso but we've been told we won't see any improvements for 2-3 months. I'm scared she will deteriorate too much by then, she is in pain and has more fluid on her lung after it was only drained 3 weeks ago. Also the doctor said that part of the lung had collapsed but this isn't as serious as it sounds. Anyone been in a similar position.
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