Writing on behalf of my partner, she's 48 and has never smoked and doesn't drink, she's very fit and eats healthily.... Diagnosed with NSCLC 2 weeks ago and we're going through the emotional rollercoaster of initial diagnosis and waiting for test/scan results and then starting therapy this Friday.
We're not sure what they're going to start her on, she can't have surgery nor radiotherapy post her PET CT results. I just want them to crack on and get her treated, if I could do it I would!! I'm sure you'll understand those sentiments.
Wishing everyone all success in their treatment.
Gary
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GaryNR14
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Sorry to hear about your partners diagnosis.Other in this forum will provide you with a lot of emotional support as they will have gone through a similar experience.There are many different treatments available depending on the type and stage of disease. Once she has started her treatment on Friday if either of you want to talk to someone please don't hesitate to contact our nurse led Helpline Freephone 0800 358 7200.Wishing you both all the best.
Thanks, we're off to see the oncologist tomorrow to see what the treatment plan is. My partner is very scared as for the previous 2 Thursdays she's been given the initial diagnosis and then staging....
I was diagnosed with the same 2.5 years ago. I've never smoked and eat healthily (although I do like a glass of wine!). I couldn't have radiotherapy or an op, I started on gefitinib, a targeted therapy, which worked for about 15 months. I had chemo which didn't do a lot and then went on a trial and then chemotherapy again. My tumours have shrunk and are stable atm, I'm having another scan in a couple of weeks. As you can see there are lots of different treatments out there so stay positive. It seems like a lifetime waiting for treatment but I always stayed positive and still am (I've had my moments of course). Just wanted to show you that there is hope and I am convinced a positive mind helps, btw I'm 54, diagnosed at 51 x
I was diagnosed 5.5 years ago. I was 49 then. A non smoker too. I now realise anyone with lungs can get lung cancer. I didn’t know that then. Please make sure your partner is tested for mutations eg EGFR, ALK, ROS1 Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation has a booklet which is worth getting about Targetted Therapies. Their latest magazine also has a big article about it. Please let us know how you get on xx
Hi Gary
I'm sorry to hear of your partner's diagnosis I was diagnosed in Feb 2017 with Stage 4 NSCLC a non smoker, non drinker and leading a healthy lifestyle at the age of 61 so I can imagine your shock and absolute horror. Ive heard of several women with similar stories,. Your partner's previous good health should stand her in good staid duringv whatever treatment she undertakes Ask about trials. I went on a genetic trial SPM2 and had great results for a few months. I really do wish her well
Sorry to read of your situation. I was 2 weeks after my 52nd birthday when I went to A&E with strange symptoms. 2 months after that I ended up having surgery to remove half my left lung and diagnosed as lung cancer Jan 2011. I am also a never smoker and was fit (regular swimmer and walker). I am now involved in lung cancer research and attend conferences where they debate/raise the issues of the many new treatments. The situation has changed considerably in recent years with many new options that didn't exist before and even with existing treatments, the combinations and order they are given in are now dependent on lots of tests as different tumour biology affects their impact. This is the reason there is so much waiting as it's important to get the right pathological characteristics of a patient's tumour. There is a lot of information in plain English available on Roy Castle lung cancer website including questions to ask your medical team. Although you will read/hear of other people having different treatments, it's all very personalised based not only on the tumour but other patient characteristics so it's important to build a good relationship with their clinical lead, in your case an oncologist (in mine, the surgeon leads the care as that was my primary treatment). Unfortunately the data available on the internet is woefully out of date and has not caught up with treatment developments and improvements in recent years so can be very frightening to read. It also hasn't caught up with the fact that more people especially women have been diagnosed in recent years who are never smokers so published figures include everybody including very elderly sick people who often have a lifetime of lung damage and other conditions. If you must look at the internet, I'd encourage you to use trusted websites such as Roy Castle or Cancer Research UK or Macmillan or European Lung Foundation as many are unmoderated and not clinically updated on a regular basis. If it's any consolation, I returned to work within a few months and regular swimming and now travel internationally again. Good luck - as you say, it's a rollercoaster but others have taken the same ride.... thinking of you.
I know exactly how you’re feeling, your partner will be feeling like she’s been hit by a bus and more than apprehensive about treatment. Just remember that research has come a long way even in recent times and treatment really is tailor made to each person. There are targeted therapies which really do make such a difference to how lung cancer affects our daily lives.
Your partner will need as much support as she can get as this can affect mental health as much as physical.
I wish you all the good luck possible. You will both get through this. Xx
I have just done 4cycles of the same ,watch out for constipation and nausea .Nausea was managed well with steroids and drinking plenty of water .Constipation proved a bit tricky I took everything in the end which doesn't make you feel too good either . Just keep an eye on things laxido and ducolax worked best for me in the end ,but get it treated sooner rather than later .Each cycle gets harder as you get weaker I am now switching to pemetrexed and pembrolizumab for up to two years ,which is meant to be easier. Good news though lung tumour cardiac tumour and brain tumours have all reduced in size which is a result. Today I have been out and about have cooked lunch and I am just about to do a bit of gardening so still doing stuff,just resting in between listening to my body .I hope all goes well for you .Diane
Thanks for sharing that Diane, at the moment Emma is starting to be concerned about constipation and I will mention your advice - laxido/dulcolax. So far she hasn't had any nausea signs but we're only 2.5 days on from the start of treatment, she has taken her mandatory anti-sickness drugs and has others to use as needed.
Very glad to hear your tumours have all reduced and wish that they continue to do so, we've heard a lot of positive news abouts the immunotherapy drugs. At the moment Emma is still able to walk quite a lot, she's young and fit, we did 8Km today and she's not had any real breathing problems, long may that continue!!
The Immunotherapy drugs have been very welcomed into lung cancer as it is now providing people with additional and sometimes better treatment options for them than was available before.
If you wish to discuss anything our Freephone nurse led helpline number is 0800 358 7200
Gary I currently am on the same chemo Peme and Carbo. I’m done with 2 of 4 treatments. My worst side affect is being nauseous. They gave me great medicines to help which are compazine, zofran and Ativan. You just need to stay on top of the meds. I’m also doing Keytruda immunotherapy.
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NSCLC operated in March, starting chemotherapy on Monday
NSCLC, Stage 4, EGFR Mutation, Gefitinib, pain on left side of abdomen
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