Slow growing

[Molly1959]

My husband was diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer that had spread to his liver bones and spine. Thought this was supposed to be slow growing. But he was diagnosed and died 30 days later. He was still working up till the date he was diagnosed. Can’t get my head around if it was slow growing how did this happen. He had a chest X-ray 12 months ago and wasn’t anything on it. He only went docs because he felt tired they did a chest X-ray then rushed an mri for the next day gave him results the same day. It just feels like a nightmare we were not prepared it was all so quick. 30 days from diagnosis and he was dead. Hospice doctor wanted a post-mortem as they were shocked at the speed. We won’t get results from that till 22nd Dec. Has anyone got anyone else been diagnosed and died so quickly 😢

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear Molly 1959,

The course of non small cell lung cancer varies widely. Most often, it develops slowly and causes few or no symptoms until it is far advanced. In some cases, however, it can be extremely aggressive and rapidly fatal and sadly for your husband this was the case.You and those close to you must be devastated at this very sad time.When you do get the results of the PM you might want to, when the time is right, ask the doctor some questions.You can ask for an appointment and write down any questions you may have.It's a good idea to take a friend or relative with you for support.

Please accept our sincere condolences.

Take care,

All the team at the Roy Castle Helpline.

[Dexter68]

My mum had xrays yearly as she had copd, last year nothing showed up on the xrays, this year with a sudden pain which doctors thought a blood clot (which she did have) but having a spot on the lung. 2 weeks later plural fluid was being drained off, 1 week later she was allowed out of hospital but with the diagnoses of cancer which was showing up on liver and bones. Referred to oncology a week later with this diagnoses, couldn't walk do to fluid build up, rapid progression. With mum we are lucky that the fluid had a protein which does react with tablet chemo. With normal statistics 1 in 10 get the chance, with mums with a rare aggressive 1 in 100. It's not going to change the outcome, but giving us more time x

[Tcam]

I’m so sorry. Sending hugs xxx

[Jmc8]

Hi

So sorry for you loss - I feel your pain. I lost my poor mum very quickly this year with cancer. Diagnosed on the Mon with cancer in the kidney, told on the Sat it was in her bones & lymph (might have started there) & she passed away on the Sun evening as her heart gave out - so just under a week and 3 months after my dad passed away There wasn’t a PM but I did talk to the doctors afterwards which helped. You will be in shock for quite a while trying to come to terms with it & once that wears off the grief will start to come out. Accept you’ll have good days & bad days & make sure you have friends or family who you can turn to.

Sending you hugs

J x

[miasam]

So sorry for your loss you must be devastated. My husband died 5 weeks ago from lung cancer and brain mets but he lasted 2 half years we was told when he was found he had brain mets he had a year but lasted 3 half months it is really hard to get used to losing some one let alone it happening so quick you never even had time to take in .he had cancer please speak to his doctor and try and get some answers to why it happened so quickly .please take care xx carol

[JanetteR57]

So sorry for your loss - such a shock. Our dear friend had no symptoms other than a painful shoulder and went to his doctor in the November as I'd been discharged (with lesion on my lung and awaiting CT!) but he was fobbed off with ibuprofen and after several visits and referral to community physiotherapy was in a lot of pain. At that point, (Jan 2011) I'd just been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma but had lobectomy in December 2010 so was recovering. We compared notes on painkillers as his shoulder pain was worsening. After paying for chiropractice, osteopathy and acupuncture with no effect and a NHS back consultant just telling him he'd overdone it (he was a self employed carpenter/joiner and had been working on a roof in the November so thought he'd strained a muscle), in the end, he and his wife decided to pay privately for a CT scan. On the day this was due, on arrival at hospital, he collapsed and was very confused. He was in hospital 10 days and 7 days in, his wife was told he had inoperable LC that had spread to his liver, bones and brain and he died just 3 days later. It was sudden death coinciding with my own experience that led me to go online and see how common or not his circumstances were. There were lots of men (and medics) not appreciating pain in the shoulder can be a LC symptom. I was shocked at how little of total cancer research money was spent on LC. That's when I decided to raise funds for RCLCF by swimming in his memory and recovering my lung fitness. Sadly, there are many who do not experience symptoms and by the time, people are in pain and get to A&E for diagnosis, it can already be widespread. Looking back, he'd also had a longstanding cough that he'd visited the chemist for meds and lost weight (that he'd put down to so much physical work) so there were symptoms but easily explained by other circumstances. Do you have a Macmillan nurse or service locally you could speak to? Thinking of you at this very sad time….do hope you have people who can support you especially at this time of year. take care

[Billcul]

Hi Molly1959

I'm so sorry about your sudden and tragic loss. I think the doctors generally get it right when dealing with this terrible disease, but it can be so vicious and aggressive, it can catch us out sometimes. I can't really think of anything constructive to say to you, as this is obviously one of the worst things that can happen in life. Although I'm in pretty good health, they've found that I now have COPD., so it's always in the back of the mind. There's little that can comfort you, other than knowing that everyone on this site will be thinking of you just now. Bill

[Molly1959]

Thank you for all your lovely wishes and reply’s. Just when i thought things couldn’t get any worse my lovely brother passed away yesterday afternoon from cancer oesophagus. We new he was very poorly. I was sitting holding his hand talking to him when he just closed his eyes. It was a blessing he had suffered a lot of pain for the past 7 months.

[Billcul in reply to Molly1959]

So sorry to hear that. You're having a terrible time.