Mum has large mass on lung

[shelly99]

My 71 year old mum has been ill since Christmas. Started off as a cold, that went to pneumonia. She was told she then had a lung infection and was given antibiotics and steroids as she's an asthma suffer. The cough continued and she was sent for an X-ray which the drs said was still pneumonia, After a further X-ray last week she was sent to hospital today. Her left lung has a large mass covering about. 3rd off it, the consultant sent her for an immediate ct scan today and blood tests. We have been told there's a high risk of cancer and the consultant will ring us with results ASAP.

[Harrypalmer]

Hi, just stay positive until you have full diagnosis and even then it's not always as bad as you think it might be. Do share the results with us and hopefully we can support you through this tough time.

[LorraineD Partner Roy Castle]

Hello Shelly

It can be really distressing when you are waiting for results and worrying about the possibilities. I hope you don't have too long to wait. Meanwhile if you are looking for any information please do visit our website roycastle.org, email or call our helpline on 033 323 7200 option 2.

best wishes

Lorraine

on behalf of the Information & Support team

[shelly99]

Hi. We saw the consultant again yesterday who confirmed that ct scan shows a large cancer mass in lung which has spread into nodes on right lung and into breast and back bone. I feel like my heart was ripped away yesterday. My mum is in denial. She refused to talk any further with consultant and won't use the word "cancer". She is being really nasty to me which is breaking my heart but I cannot imagine what pain she is going through, next step is biopsy and referral to oncology department. The consultant said due to results he would be arranging biopsy ASAP and was hoping this would be before the oncology appt so treatment could start immediately, His face said a thousand words sadly.

[monkeygirl62 in reply to shelly99]

I am so sorry that you and your mom are going through this. It's very normal to react in denial to such a diagnosis. It's a shock to get a diagnosis like your mom just got. When my mom had colon cancer (I think she was around the same age as your mom) she too was in denial and was quite nasty about it and still is if the subject is brought up (she's now 86 years old) despite having surgery for it, they caught it early. Hopefully, when the shock wears off your mom won't be as nasty. It's hard for cancer patients sometimes to see how it's effecting the family. (FYI, I have small cell lung cancer and stage 4 metastatic breast cancer). Your mom sounds angry and that's a normal reaction to all of this. I know you feel devastated about your mom and we are here to help you navigate this very difficult journey, we are here to cry with you and be a shoulder albeit virtually. Hugs 🤗🤗, Alicia