Newly diagnosed

[Kenzie123]

Hi, I have recently been diagnosed with lung cancer, which I have been told is operable. But at pet scan another area was found in lower aspect of same lung. I am terrified at the thought of it all, its all I think about at the moment. Can anyone tell me how they were following op, not sure if it will be all my lung yet or a wedge. I am also a smoker, which I know it's my own fault for the situation I find myself in, but I can't stop even knowing I have this horrible disease. I am just so scared and stressed about it all. I am trying to stop, but when I start to think about it all I have another cigarette. Can anyone please give me some advice, thanks x

[jillygirl]

Hi there Kenzie, sorry to hear your diagnosis. Its only natural to be frightened . Back in 2012 I was in a similar position to you. I had 2 tumours on my right lung. I had surgery and it was a pneumonectomy (full lung). I was in ICU for 4 days , then moved to a normal ward.

by the 6th day I was walking out of hospital feeling tired but well.

By the way I was a smoker but luckily I had given up about 9 months before I found out about the cancer.

Its not pleasant operation , however the staff were excellent in giving pain relief, so I was on morphine the first few days. So i slept through a lot of it.

You will be fine . Especially as surgery and medication has improved a lot since I had my op.

If or when you decide to stop smoking go to the sister community to this. Quit Support.

I am one of the administrators for the site. I smoked for approx 45 years. and wish I had quit earlier. You can private message me if you wish.

Take care and stay positive you will be ok. :)xx

[Colin57]

Hi Kenzie123

I can only reiterate jillygirls reply. I smoked for 32 year, stopped 15 years ago and a left lung pneumonectomy last July following a diagnosis of stage nsclc.

Now life is different, but above all I have one! . I wish you well and will welcome you to perhaps the one lung club!

[jillygirl in reply to Colin57]

Love the one lung club idea.

[Colin57 in reply to jillygirl]

Worth a thought isn’t it?

[jillygirl in reply to Colin57]

Yes Colin, just been to doctors this morning it was a new trainee doctor. He checked my chest when he got to the right hand side he said to me breathe in and out for me. At that stage I told him there was no lung on that side. He said erm! I thought it was strange.

I suppose it will teach him to look at my history in future.

[Colin57 in reply to jillygirl]

You know that one is fast becoming my favourite game, Love it when they bang and stare at their stethoscope! Lol

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear Kenzie123

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis and it is understandable the worry and stress it is causing you, the forum is a great place to source support and encouragement from those that have experienced this as you can see from the replies that you have had.

This link from our web site will provide lots of useful information for you on lung surgery:

roycastle.org/system/file_u...

Your lung cancer specialist nurse will be able to provide you with a lot of information and if you do not have one, this can be requested by your GP or Specialist.

Being well informed may alleviate some of your anxieties and there is a lot of support available.

The Maggie's centres which are placed in most Hospitals , provide, practical, emotional and social support. You can pop in for a cup of tea and chat with them, this link will take you to their website:

maggiescentres.org/

Their Helpline number is 0300 123 1801

Other very useful websites for information and support are:

cancerresearchuk.org/

macmillan.org.uk

It may be worth keeping in mind that if you are looking for alternative ways to relax during this difficult time, some cancer units offer free complimentary relaxation therapies.

If you wish to discuss anything you can call us on our Freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[JanetteR57]

Hello Kenzie. It can be a frightening time but you can come through this as others have suggested. In Dec 2010 I had half my left lung removed and diagnosed as lung cancer in Jan 2011 and I have never smoked in my life. Not everyone who has lung cancer has smoked although those who have can have different tumour characteristics that may make it easier to target with some treatments. I was back at work in 3 months and swimming and as others have said, glad to be alive. I've gone onto swim much further and more frequently than before (I used to do 130 x 25 m lengths 3 times a week but increased it to 360 in one session and 989 miles in a year - an indication that you won't be breathless forever and activity is really important to redevelop the remaining lung. Most surgery now in the UK is minimally invasive (mine was open surgery as keyhole was in its infancy but overtook open surgery last year for the first time) and if you follow the suggested recovery tactics - keep moving, don't sit around, walk gently but often to develop the lungs again, and plenty of other tips in the Roy Castle lung surgery booklet available online, I'm sure you'll do ok. Good luck.

[Denzie]

Only about 10-14% of smokers get lung cancer so forgive yourself. This is as much about a spot of bad luck as it is about tobacco use. In fact the fastest growing population of lung cancer patients is never smoking women under the age of 40.

In the 8.5 years I’ve survived with stage 4 lung cancer I’ve met many people who ran marathons, ate organic, never smoked or drank, and avoided second hand smoke who developed lung cancer.

It is what it is. You can’t change the past so plan on living the best possible life you can.

[Tina60]

Hi

I had a lobectomy 4 years ago. It is a very scary time for all concerned, normal to feel it. The op went well, it was uncomfortable for several months after but never in pain that I could not manage. I remember ringing Roy Castle help line and asking if I would ever feel better, she asked me if I felt better than the week after the operation and did I feel better than two weeks before I rang her and again better than the week before, I had to admit I did, which brought it into perspective. I was only in hospital 4 nights after the op and came home with a drain, but knew they were only a phone call and car ride away if needed. So take heart from your replies of all the people who are here to tell their story and embrace what the future.

[rottenrunner]

Hi

I found it a great comfort to think of where I've been and what I've got, rather than to think of what I may miss out on in the future, that helped me so much when I got a terminal diagnosis. So I was able to keep positive, which I believe helped me get to where I am now, six months after my diagnosis, my cancer is inactive. It's not over yet, but certainly getting there. I'm 53, married for 30 years, 4 kids and 5 grandchildren, it made me feel greedy to expect anymore, when I've had so much. That took so much fear away for me, hopefully that can help you to have your operation with a little less fear, just being positive will help so much too. And my lung nurse told us I was just unlucky to get cancer, so as previously said, don't be hard on yourself for getting cancer, it wasn't your fault, go and enjoy your next fag.

Wishing you all the best with your treatment and hope it goes well.

[Babydolltina]

Hi Kenzie, so sorry to read this. Smoking is a problem but its an addiction as well as a crutch. Stop worrying so much, at least they are going to operate. This WILL help you and yes its a scary thought, if you can try and replace the cigs one at a time with a gum or mint. You will get there one day at a time. When my wife was diagnosed with inoperable advanced small cell lung cancer she managed to stop straight away but it can do more harm than good. Keep strong and phone the cancer nurses at your hospital. They will help!

[NRd19]

Sorry to here your news my dads a smoker & has just found out he has stage 3b king cancer that has spread so can’t operate & have given him 12 month the shock of this has made him stop smoking he is 74 , so I’m hoping for a Miracle that he gets through the chemo , hopefully stats in a few weeks it’s devastating news for anyone , thinking of everyone on this site 💕 not easy xx

[Ghssan]

Hi

I got the advice from people who quitted smoking and it seems it works

Have a bottle of freshly squeezed lemons

Take a big spoon of it after mixing it with honey

Repeat this every time you have urge to smoke and it works

It worked well for me and now after 45 years I stopped both smoking and drinking

[wplac]

It does sound like you have a really good chance of beating this given the option to operate. I hope all goes well in your recovery.

I hope you don’t mind me asking, but how where you diagnosed? Caught by chance or where you have symptoms? I am awaiting a diagnosis after a CT scan, hoping for the best but fearing the worst due to increasing discomfort in lower rib and shoulder blade pain on the same side (RHS).