Given first chemo with a temperature of 38.9 Persistent temperatures up to 39 for 3 days before hand.

[Cellophane]

I was diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer, inoperative due to position, So it was planned I should have I session of chemo and then start combination chemo-radiotherapy, for a month. I'd had several chest infections. When I went in the nurses and wad oncologist told me there was no way I'd be having chemo that day until they discovered the source of the infection. However at 12 o'clock my consultant oncologist sent word for them to go ahead. Needless to say 3 days later I was very ill with a high temperature, rushed into medical emergency. Where I was left for 2 days. Eventually Iwas moved down to the oncology ward with neutropenicsepsis. I have been in hospital for a month since then fighting several infection that are scattered around my lung and apparently mixed with the cancer. They cannot find the source. so are letting me go to my daughters on oral antibiotics and a picc line in case. The outcome is I can have no more chemo, the destroyed lung is too much of a mess and over too large an area to use radiotherapy. So now it is pallative radiation on the initial tumour and presumably surrounding lymph glands, although they are not in a good place as very near my heart.

I am worried about carrying on with this oncologist

[Bow-19]

You sound to have been through the mill. Have you thought about asking for a second opinion?

[Cellophane in reply to Bow-19]

Thank you Bow-19, I would very much like to sk for a second opinion, but am a bit worrried about how he will take it if he goes ahead and is the one treating me again.

[Jaynair]

Hello Cellophane, what an awful ordeal to go through. I can understand why you're worried about continuing with your present oncologist. I'm not sure what the procedure is but I'm pretty sure you can change oncologist and even hospital if need be. Do you have a specialist lung nurse you can talk to or perhaps give BLF or Macmillan helpline a ring to talk about your concerns and to find out where you stand. I wish the best of luck for the future. x

[Cellophane in reply to Jaynair]

Hi Jaynair, Thank you for your advice, unfortunately my Macmillan nurse has loyalty issues. I think its a very good idea to call the helpline because I need impartial advice. Thank you so much.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear Cellophane

Sorry to hear about your experience with your recent illness. There are good responses from both Bow-19 and jaynair.

I assume you have either district / macmillan nurses attending to you with your picc line, if not, do speak to your GP or lung cancer specialist nurse.

Any infection can be quite exhausting , ensure you keep hydrated, the following link gives some guidelines in preventing further infection :cdc.gov/cancer/preventinfec...

Apart from your diagnosis , infection can impact emotionally , be good and gentle to yourself.

If you develop any new symptoms or feel worse call the contact person you have been given by the Hospital or chemotherapy team, or GP

If you wish to discuss anything you can call us on our free nurse led helpline number 0800 357 7200

All the best

The Roy Castle Support Team