Long wait: I was diagnosed with lung... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

55,234 members66,008 posts

Long wait

Divannie profile image
30 Replies

I was diagnosed with lung cancer on 8th dec 17 and after tests and seeing the oncologist a couple of tlmes have been informed an operation on left lung is scheduled for 1st may ,without me saying anything about the time distance the oncologist said I should write to the hospital to try and get op advanced, am awaiting reply. I live in northern n.s.w. And tweed heads hospital is the main one for operations about 40 mins drive north when myself and partner moved here ten years ago I was aware of 'tyrany of distance' but beautiful seaside living compensates however our northern area health service should respond with better timing.have also survived h.i.v since '86. Have any of your readers had to wait so long? I naturAly went to this site as the British have arguably the best medical system in the world, lived in u.k. Mid 60s so have experienced your system am75.

Written by
Divannie profile image
Divannie
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
30 Replies
2greys profile image
2greys

Hi Divannie.

Although it may seem a long time, it really does depend on the type of cancer and how aggresive the cancer is, some take years to grow, others very quickly.

Mine has grown from a pea size to the size of a duck's egg in less than 8 months (I have been on cancer watch for 22 months) mine was first diagnosed on 13 Feb and having my pre-assessment next Tuesday.

Divannie profile image
Divannie in reply to 2greys

Your reply makes me feel better as it may be less agressive, we aren't given much information in n.s.w. And took partner to every 'meeting ' in case I missed something, I hope your pre-assessment goes well.

2greys profile image
2greys in reply to Divannie

Here, in Southampton at least, you are also given a priority, mine has been deemed as high priority by my consultant.

Divannie profile image
Divannie in reply to 2greys

I wish we had your (British) system but we have very good doctors only my G.P. Imparts much info.

in reply to Divannie

had breast cancer, diagnosed October 2012. had my mastectomy 12.12.2012 there was a little delay, due to personal reasons. Still pretty quick though (I was grade 3 stage 2B). Chemo started 5.2.13 I hope things go as you hope Divannie.

Divannie profile image
Divannie in reply to

Poems galore1 thank you I can now see why this site is so effective, were all in a similar 'boat' and helping one another it must reduce the anxiety a lot well it's helping me.

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana

Hello Divannie .

The only experience I've had with operations personally, were not cancer related so I can't really comment. I suppose it depends on how aggressive the cancer is like 2greys has mentioned.

I'm sorry you have cancer and H.I.V. but it seems like they are going to get it out. Will your partner drive you?

I hope you are successful in getting the date moved forward if that's the best option for you and I really wish for a successful operation too. Please do keep us updated. 😊

Sending warm wishes.

Cas xx 🌞🐞

P.S. I think if the cancer was very aggressive, they be in more hurry to remove it. Just my two cents.

Divannie profile image
Divannie in reply to Caspiana

Thank you for your kind words, my partner doesn't drive only me but we have an excellent community car service in northern rivers, the h.i.v. Pandemic mainly mid nineties in Sydney wiped out most friends and had survivor guilt but otherwise you eventually get over it so will have the resilience to survive.

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana in reply to Divannie

Take good care Divannie . 😊

Divannie profile image
Divannie in reply to Caspiana

Caspiana- thank you

cofdrop-UK profile image
cofdrop-UK

Hello Divanie and welcome. So sorry to hear of your health issues - you have a lot to deal with. I wish you every success with yiur upcoming surgery and I hope it is also slow growing.

Please let us know how you progresss.

Healing hugs

Cx

Divannie profile image
Divannie in reply to cofdrop-UK

Cofdrop-U.K. Thanks for your concern will stay in touch but must try and help others as well, so glad I chose a British site can feel the love and help flowing through the cosmos excelant!

Perdy2121 profile image
Perdy2121

I disagree with British consultants been good...why??? Well I was diagnosed in September 2017 ...with lung cancer..mine on left lobe....I'm from west Midlands it taken pals of Birmingham and QCC to get involved as I've been FOBBED off for SURGERY...THE BEST NEWS TOO COME....pals phoned me today and said Birmingham hospital couldn't find my medical records....I've e-mailed all my appointments too them...to there horror its gone to the inspectors and managers...because my medical records were found in a empty office it took 48 hours six staff to hunt them down...bearing in mind I've been promised surgery since November 2017....when I phoned oncologist Secretary she had no notes in regard to me or any operation...she was rude I keep all my paper work from this hospital I beg to differ I HAVE IT IN BLACK AND WHITE....I phone my GP they have nothing on there system about any visits to hospital or bloods taken or ctrl scans...I'm glad I've involved PALS AND QUALITY CARE COMISSION...as now there is a investigation...someone is playing GAMES NOT WITH MY LIFE THEY NOT...UNDER HUMAN RIGHTS ACT MY CARE SHOULD BE PARAMOUNT....be warey as I'm just a needle in a haystack nos should be countable for there actions...oh by way got a appointment This Monday dropped through post today...IM TAPE RECORDING THIS SURGERN RESPONSE ready for my solicitor as this is not right...pals getting back to me next week...I wonder if I be here to tell you all the tale......

Divannie profile image
Divannie in reply to Perdy2121

Perdy2121 You must try and calm down and drop negativity I'm sure people are trying to help you look out the window and see creation and breath it has calming effect, god bless and am sending you good thoughts

mskpjb profile image
mskpjb in reply to Perdy2121

It is definitely a fact that we need to be proactive in our own heath care. I can well understand your frustration at meeting brick walls all the way, and this certainly doesn't help your wellbeing. Our NHS is under tremendous strain we know, but we have to care about ourselves and failings like this should not happen. It's not our fault that we need them , we paid Nat.insurance for years and now the government (of whatever persuasion) should get their finger out and put the money where it's needed. Forget even thinking about non essentials like a garden bridge over the Thames ! Thank goodness that's not going ahead.

Rant over ! Wishing you well with your op. Sheila x

Divannie profile image
Divannie in reply to mskpjb

Mskpjb politicians often allocate money to senseless projects for their own glorification but they can also be voted out of office, the nhs must be a monster of a thing to administer, perhaps it needs volunteers or a strongvoice to keep it on track.

we no longer have a good nhs in my view.

perdy is right.

Divannie profile image
Divannie in reply to

At least it's a structured device with a result, we don't have that in Australia

in reply to Divannie

I wish you well in the treatment .alas the nhs is not what it was.best wishes to yourself and partner

Divannie profile image
Divannie in reply to

Thanks for your good wishes and hope I haven't missed replying to anyone, this thing called cancer is a devastating thing to experience and this communicating between effected people is very comforting.

BSA-3 profile image
BSA-3 in reply to

Hi , I agree to some extent. The NHS is trying to deal with something that it wasn't designed for. It wasn't meant to deal with a massive surge in population without a corresponding increase in funding per capita. The Government will not accept that the Electorate, ( vast majority. ) , are willing to pay more tax and NI, because they're hell- bent on privatisation, no ifs, no buts - they are. They will do it piecemeal, bit by bit, like they'll do with introducing chlorinated chicken, tainted meat, pesticides, GMO's etc, etc. Rant over, sorry, lol.

in reply to BSA-3

bsa3 has hit the nail on the head.the nhs of the sixties is very different to the nhs we have now.

in reply to BSA-3

also some mps see a private doctor.

Divannie profile image
Divannie in reply to BSA-3

BSA-3 am not familiar with politics in United Kingdom but hope your system survives somehow it must be very expensive for govts.

BSA-3 profile image
BSA-3 in reply to Divannie

Hi Divannie. To be frank, I'm not interested in the political side of it because on one side we have people who are hell- bent on chasing the $ and pursuing their patently, obviously broken socio-economics, and on the other we have Marxist, terrorist- apologists determined to drag us back to the Seventies and somewhere in the middle is the poor, old NHS, which has to try and cope with their ridiculously, bad policies. I'm sorry for the tirade, but the NHS is something I feel very strongly about and not just for medical reasons. I'm afraid there is no middle- ground, politically, and it's disturbing even for me as apolitical. Take care.

in reply to Divannie

sorry it should not be the nhs was supposed to rise above left and right or centre-ample time for tories and socialists.please I thimk you would not like the nhs of today.

there is no structure anymore.

Perdy2121 profile image
Perdy2121

Yes interesting answers from all...but I'm still walking around with lung cancer....I feel like a walking timeline ready to explode into another world of hell....just a matter of time I'm ready to except death...but feel sorry for those not already in the nhs structure I'm one of the lucky ones I'm in the system as it stands so far...I update you after Monday to see what my surgeons say...but i can assure you all I'm not holding my breath.....very worried to say the least.....what my Question will be is how soon can you do my operation I've been waiting 14 months and I'm my symptoms are getting worst loss weight trouble swallowing cough up blood..etc etc.

Divannie profile image
Divannie in reply to Perdy2121

Perdy2121. 14 months seems a long time to wait it may be benign for now I was worried about4 months but 2 greys pointed out mine might not be spreading of course I ever thought of that. But you would think drs could tell you more!

in reply to Divannie

thxs 4 ur reply to all myself Divannie I was not here until 1965 and didn;t even attend a drs apt alone until 1978 until I was 13 I have tried to remember when I noticed the nhs was going dwn or standards no longer are applicable then definitely failed then I noticed for myself only when I had been a mother 4 not even a year,now my son is nearly33 .I ,promise what we have now and what we did have But when the nhs fails 1 of us to me it does fail us all.

please remember this is a personal truth and I would like to leave it there.

You may also like...

A long wait but finally got there I think

gerd getting sorted and finally I was sent to the hospital to have the full works in the phone box...

How Long is the Waiting List for Spirometry?

Waiting anxiously for CT results

has worsened somewhat with pneumonia bouts and hospital stays. I also contracted Covid in December...

Just waiting to go to theatre

morning they are removing bottom lobe of my left lung 🫁😳 I feel surprisingly calm 🫁just want to...

Waiting anxiously for CT results- Part 2

some 'solid scar tissue around the airways in the lung bases, along with slightly more prominent...