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[Davemack05]

Hi I’m new here, looking for advice and support, I have just been diagnosed with lung cancer and have stage 2Copd.

[SusieJo1948]

Hi what stage is the cancer,I know you said stage 2copd I know it's scary and try not to be afraid. I had stage 3 in lympnodes had a lobectomy upper left. I wouldn't do radiation felt too weak. Did 6 months of chemo. I'm now a 7 year survivor. Hope, never give up keep fighting your a warrior now I'll be here if you need to talk.So will the others if I don't know something someone else on here will. Love susiejo1948

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[Davemack05 in reply to SusieJo1948]

Don't really want to know the stage at the moment as I will know what suitable treatment I am getting in just over a week, thank you for the advice and I hope I can stay strong for my family.

[SusieJo1948 in reply to Davemack05]

I don't blame you there were times I wished I never. Heard the word. Cancer. We're a silly lot so.etimeshat you can to keep it off your mined. When we get like that we tell funny stuff so we can forget. for awhile. We try to do a little joking. Later we hope we can get you to smile. Were a silly bunch. And compassionate we care very much. Love susiejo1948

[Davemack05 in reply to SusieJo1948]

Thank you

[Davemac05 in reply to SusieJo1948]

Hi, I have changed my username to davemack05

[Denzie]

Welcome. Getting the stage and deciding on a treatment is a process. There are many wonderful supportive people here who’ve been in your shoes. Let us know how we can help you.

[Davemack05 in reply to Denzie]

Thank you.

[Davemac05 in reply to Denzie]

Hi I have changed my username to davemack05

[Denzie in reply to Davemac05]

Welcome back! How are you doing? Has treatment started?

[Davemack05 in reply to Denzie]

Hi yes I am due round 3 of 4 on Tuesday, I think I am coping with the chemotherapy it’s the copd that’s the pain .

My Oncologist says the coughing may ease after my chemotherapy.

[JanetteR57]

Welcome to the group - I'm sure you'll get loads of support. Advice - I'd point you in the direction of the information on the Roy Castle website - it's clinically written, regularly updated and reviewed by a patient panel for 'readability'. There's advice on treatment, the different types, living with lung cancer and travelling. My advice is - be patient - the various and many tests done are to determine treatment in a personalised way. There are many differences within even the same type of lung cancer dependent on the tumour's biology and any other differences in the patient's own genome that can mean a different medication is used in chemotherapy, or immunotherapy. Not everyone is biologically eligible for everything - so although people may assume and do that different treatments are about saving money, or availability in different hospitals, it is very much a 'targeted' approach these days. In order to get that stage, various tests will be done - of which you have no doubt already had the imaging side of things - but potentially not the biopsy or other tests for the next stage. Patience is a quality I've had to learn - these tests take time and then once results are in, discussions are held with the different professionals (multi disciplinary team) to discuss the exact situation amongst the team to determine which discipline will be the lead in terms of your consultant contact. The other quality I already had (thank goodness) is tenacity - you need to develop mental strength - as waiting for results can be an anxious time - so distraction and doing things you enjoy are very important. The other advice I'd give is to keep as active as you can for as long as you can - even a gentle walk up the street/garden or whatever which I know with COPD can be hard but the more you can develop the lungs, the better - both before and after treatment. It's 9 years since I turned up in A&E with strange symptoms and had half my left lung removed in the December and diagnosed in January 2011, and I returned to work, swimming and travelling. I've had my fair share of chest infections that have seriously impacted me since but my motto is always to pick myself up and get on with the day as 'all things must pass'. I'm now involved in cancer research and wish I could pass on all that I hear in conferences/meetings I attend of the many clinical trials and other types of research going on around the world for lung cancer as there are new discoveries and new treatments being developed all the time. Other advice? Talk to your own clinical team and nurse when you are allocated one - about your own specific situation - we're all different. My final piece of advice is don't give up - there is hope. I've met survivors of 20+ years - as well as people told they had less than 6 months to live who survived many years on treatments (then on clinical trials) now widely available - the idea of which was completely unknown and unavailable at the time of my diagnosis.... so many people are living with it, and there is immense support amongst the lung cancer community for those who wish it. Good luck - we're in this together....

[Davemack05 in reply to JanetteR57]

Thank you for the advice .

[Davemac05 in reply to JanetteR57]

Hi I have changed my username to davemack05

[Swimdown]

Hello and welcome. This is the worst time when you have just been diagnosed and await the various scans and decisions on treatment. It's a very anxious time for you. I was diagnosed in 2017 and had Chemo and Radiotherapy together which shrank the tumour dramatically so I could then have that the top of my lung removed with surgery. My advice is to try and keep busy, get some fresh air every day and keep as active as you can when you are able, I love swimming and had to give it up during treatment which was hard so I went for a short walk every day even if it was just in the garden. Talk to people, ask questions and don't be afraid to ask for help. I am now back to doing everything I did before I had cancer and swimming regularly. I am lucky to have beautiful grandchildren who have kept me going. Good luck and keep in touch.

[Davemack05 in reply to Swimdown]

Thank you

[Davemac05 in reply to Swimdown]

Hi I have changed my username to davemack05

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Welcome to the forum, where as you can see from your replies, that you will find lots of support and encouragement.

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis which must be a rollercoaster of emotions for you. You should be allocated a lung cancer nurse specialist who will be a great source of support in the process through diagnosis, treatment and follow up. If you do not have one you can request this from your Specialist or GP.

There is lots of information and support available. JanetteR57 has covered a lot of useful information and have listed below some links from our website roycastle.org to assist you.

This link is for those going through investigations and diagnosis, there is an index so you can choose what information you want to read:

roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

This link is living with the symptoms of lung cancer:

roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

This is a list of our support services:

roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

We have patient information days, which are listed on our website, there are guest speakers from different clinical backgrounds and is a great opportunity to chat to others and find advice and support. roycastle.org/help-and-supp...

There are also patient support groups if this is something that would be useful for you, a list of these can be found on: roycastle.org/help-and-supp...

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

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Davemack05 in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thank you for the advice, I have an appointment next week to find out what treatment the oncology team are suggesting. I am also in touch with my local Macmillan support team.

[Davemac05 in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Hi I have changed my username to davemack05