How long have I got?

[Harrypalmer]

Had half my lung removed last Oct and then 8 lots of chemo. All fine until yesterday when fluid appeared round lungs. Need to have a permanent drain fitted but am worried that I'm now in final stages having read other people's blogs. I'm now convinced that I have just a few months to live.

[ericbyrne]

Good Morning Harry,

I am sorry to hear of your need for a medical procedure to drain the fluid from your lungs,from what I have gleaned from reading about others survivors experiences over the years it is certainly not an uncommon procedure and not one where it

could be considered an indicator of the reciprocant coming to their final stages of their condition.I must stress however,I am not a doctor,nor experienced this procedure,but I can appreciate your anxiety.You have been trying to adjust mentally to your dx for approx seven months now,by comparison in my personal experience,seven months post dx for me,I had completed all my treatments but still struggling mentally with my situation.I worried so much about my cancer returning,it robbed me of the joys of surviving lung cancer,gradually,with the passage of time,this elephant in my living room began to shrink,with the help of family and friends,exchanging posts here with many survivors,my fears began to subside.Today I am enjoying life as it was prior to my dx,the elephant in my living room?,dont think I could even find him on my knees with a magnifying glass LOL.I do wish you making similar progress to myself,a saying that helped me earlier in my cancer journey was "Worry is like sitting in a rocking chair,it gives you something to do,but it dos'nt get you anywhere".Finally,may I suggest you make an appointment with your oncologist or lung nurse just to confide with them,your concerns,lets sort out the real from the imaginary,I am sure they will offer you some reassurance.Best wishes,please keep in touch.

[Hidden]

Hi Harry, Like Eric says you must see one of your medical team or GP to discuss this latest development as they will have the necessary that this fluid is because of an infection or a by product of the chemo, it may not even be related to your cancer. Surgery is one of the more positive procedures for our condition as the tumour is usually completely removed. I had the bottom lobe of my right lung removed in Sept 2011 and 4 rounds of chemo, after my op the lung partially collapsed, a drain was inserted for almost 2 weeks, and after 6 months one consultant told me it would remain 10-15% deflated permanently and I would never be able to fly again. 3 months later after a holiday in the mountains of Switzerland it had fully inflated. What I am trying to say is that no one knows exactly what will happen after your procedures but I am sure that your oncologist and consultants will guide you and give you their best advice. So try to think positive and keep in touch.

[Harrypalmer in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Eric & Rabbie for your comments and support. Perhaps what I should have also said was that I was told yesterday that the cancer had returned. I'm seeing consultant later day for full prognosis. When everything was going so well, the op was a doddle, the chemo was bearable and I was getting my life back on track. In fact I had to cancel a long awaited holiday to Turkey today. Will let you know the outcome. I found this site last night in my darkest hour. Thanks for listening. Moni xx

[Hidden]

Hello, Thank you for answering my blog. It seems we are at a similar stage with fluid and tumours returning. I am with you with the darkest hour and asked my colsultant yesterday if I would be here at Christmas. It is so very hard to stay positive, but thats what all these wonderful poeple on this site are telling us to do. I have my fingers crossed for you today, please let us know how things progress.

Tallulah x

[Harrypalmer]

Just had a litre of fluid drained today. Next week I have drain fitted and then the following week I see my oncologist to discuss best course of action.. Am I being unreasonable in thinking that I feel that I have been abandoned by my oncologist in as much as I had my last lot of chemo in Feb and was told that she didn't want to see me until end of July a wait of 5months. Had I not felt unwell due to fluid on lungs and gone to the hospital it would have been another two months before they knew that the cancer had returned. Maybe I' m just feeling angry and are being unreasonable. Even so I would be interested to know the length of time other patients were left before seeing their oncologist again.

[LorraineD Partner Roy Castle]

Harry

I hope you are feeling more comfortable after having the fluid drained. Time between oncology visits do vary, will be interested in the replies. At any point if you have a concern it is worth contacting the team and asking to see someone sooner, as you have done. Your Clinical Nurse Specialist should be contactable by telephone and help with moving things forward. You may want to have a look at our Answering your Questiosn and Surgery booklets on the website, roycastle.org

Best wishes

Lorraine on behalf of the Information & Support team

[Hidden]

Hi Harry,

Hope you are feeling better today. Once I had finished my last course of chemotherapy, my oncologist said that I now had my life back and was then given an appointment for 6 months time with my thoracic surgeon. She said I will have 6 monthly check ups, perhaps even 12 monthly, with x rays, for 5 years. Because I have a secondary lung condition, NSIP, which has nothing to do with my lung cancer, I now see a respiratory doctor instead. I had my latest check up on Wed and if all is still OK after my next one in Nov then he suggested that we will move to 9 monthly. But all the medical team have stressed that if I feel at all unwell then to contact them and they will see me asap.

Out of interest when you went back to the hospital about the fluid did an x-ray pick up the cancer return or did you have a CT scan? Try not to get too angry and keep yourself as fit as possible.

Good Luck for your next procedure.

Rabbie

[Harrypalmer in reply to Hidden]

Hi Rabbie, It was the ct scan that picked it up. I'm going into hospital tomorrow to have drain fitted. Just received discharge letter from hospital that states that scan also shows widespread lymphadenopathy and multiple nodes, suspicious for metastases. Not the diagnosis I was expecting and probably the most depressing news I have ever received. As usual, have done my own on line diagnosis and it is far from encouraging. Really glad to hear that your outlook seems positive and promising. Take care . Monica x

[Hidden]

Hi Monica, ( Your Ipcress File pseudonym confused me) I always worry about just having an x-ray at my check ups as it was a CT scan that showed my cancer. It is disappointing to hear your latest scan results as usually surgery and chemo is said to have the most positive outcome. You really should not read too much into online material, you will see from some of the posts on this site that there is a lot of good outcomes whereas the net seems to be full of negative stuff. Wait until you have seen your oncologist and hopefully you can start on a different chemo regime. We will all be looking out for you.

Best wishes Rabbie.