Lung and lymph nodes

[Chap-man]

Mom has been recently diagnosed with lung Nsclc which has gone into lymph nodes , she doesn't want to know any prognosis therefore the consultant will not discuss anything with us . I don't know who else I can talk too or what we are up against , can anyone help please .

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Chapman,

I have sent you a private message.

Roy Castle Helpline

[Chap-man]

Thank you x

[Tcam]

Hi there

My heart goes out to you my mum in law was diagnosed same June 2016. It is so hard not knowing😔 There are lots of treatments now. Try to stay positive. It's been over a year now and mum in law has had many treatments.

Take care.🍀

[Sparkym05]

My mother in law was given similar diagnosis last May, exactly the same she didn't want to know prognosis and just got on with treatment. I think that's the best way, everyone's battle with this is different don't pay attention to statistics, they are based on samples from up to 2 years ago, treatments are getting better so more people are living longer.

We had aggressive radiotherapy which fried the primary tumour and then we had nearly 6 months off because there was no reason to start chemo if cancer not spreading. A pet scan revealed some small cancer cells elsewhere so we've had 4 rounds of combination chemo now which has had positive results with reducing secondary cancer cells. Who knows what's round the corner but we've had a good year, considering the chemo you wouldn't know my mother in law was ill, looks great and she is pain free no reason to believe this will change anytime soon. Of course she has the odd off day after a round of chemo and gets quite tired but nothing like I was expecting. Message is simple - stay positive and make the most of the good days.

[Chap-man in reply to Sparkym05]

Thank you Sparkym05 I'm glad your reply is so very positive and really hope mom in law is doing well xx

[JanetteR57]

Imagine this is very hard for you. Do you know why your mum has this approach? I've spoken to patients in our chest clinic who had a similar mindset but having then spoken to myself and another patient who'd had the surgery they were suggesting for her, went from 'well i've had my life and that's that' to 'how soon after surgery might I be able to drive?' in just half an hour conversation. For some people, they've known relatives or friends who had lung cancer and until a few years ago there were very limited treatment options. that's no longer the case… many remember the king dying which brought the queen to the throne - and that was lung cancer (he'd had a lobectomy previously) so it might be imprinted in her thoughts that there's little that can be done… This coming January will be 7 years since my diagnosis and in recent years, I've met many patients who've survived much longer than me since diagnosis. Everyone is different but here's wishing you and her luck and hope she can take up the treatments offered to her….

[Chap-man in reply to JanetteR57]

Thank you janette I'm really pleased your doing so well x

[JanetteR57 in reply to Chap-man]

Thank you - me too. When first diagnosed and read the stats, found the whole thing scary and still do when poorly with chest infections (quite a regular occurrence) but count my blessings all the time and do what I can to advocate for others less fortunate who I've met in recent years…

It can feel lonely and isolating at times so think these forums are a real boon to help us all explore feelings and support one another… good luck.