The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

Diagnosed to death in 24 hours

My dear mum aged 61 passes away on the 13 th November I am truly devestated and still can't believe this could happen . She had been poorly with a cold for 3 weeks prior to her admission to hospital after endless trips to the doctors and the antibiotics not working . It transpired she had an elevated heart rate and blood clot on her lung. It took 2 weeks for icu to identify they she had lung cancer and she died 24 hours after the eventual diagnosis. I have do many questions unanswered . She had been going to the doctors with a cough for a year before but kept being told it was her blood pressure medication. She had put on weight ?? At least 2 stone in the past 3 years .she hadn't any other symptoms prior to being ill. I just feel so angry and let down. She detoriated so quickly in two weeks and we didn't get a chance to fight the cancer or say goodbye as they incubated my mum one week prior to her death. Has anyone else had this experience with a loved one ?

6 Replies

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waterfd

3 years ago

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Chris my wife had for a number of years 'chest infections' and was given antibiotics each time with no further follow up. She is another that may have been found earlier if the symptoms had been investigated. She was a smoker although not many a day so I would have thought that would have rung some alarm bells. Unfortunately Lung Cancer is known as a silent killer simply because there are no obvious symptoms and like Chris it is found on a check for something not related. It is 2 years since she was diagnosed with NSCLC with mets and sadly she passed away in August 2013 aged 63 after 8 months of treatment. I, like you, was angry and we would have been married 41yrs 3 days after she died. My consolation is she died with me at home and she did not suffer. I have some great friends who still look out for me and I still miss her a lot. The Hospice who sent the nurses have also been a great help so I would advise talking to them if you can, also Macmillan helped me too. It will be a while before the feeling subside but you will remember her every day in some small way that will make you smile. Take care of yourself that is important now. x