Scan moved forward!

[LewLew19]

So following mentioning the cough and skin rash her 4 monthly scan has been brought forward to 3 months. Her new doctor requested it. Mum is now terrified, she thinks this means the worst. She’s not sleeping and convincing herself this is bad. She’s had two positive scans so far, first partial response and the second stable disease. The cough and rash aren’t too bad, she’s got no breathlessness.

It’s so reminiscent of when she got diagnosed it’s brought all the feelings back to this time last year. Thanks for any advice x

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear Lew Lew19

This must be so stressful for you dealing with all the emotions and worry your Mum has. It is not uncommon for any follow up scan that the person almost relives when they were first diagnosed, and same for the family.

Due to Covid-19 so many treatments and follow up scans have been put on hold, it is only now that they are all striving to catch up on scans and appointments.

It could be simply that they want your Mum to get back into the 3 monthly scan checks and it is reassuring that the previous 2 scans were positive. The doctors have nothing to go on to bring your Mum's scan forward, i.e. development of any new or worsening symptoms, hence they want to get back on track with the recommended cancer care protocols of providing 3 monthly scans then eventually onto 6 months.

It is reassuring that your Mum's cough and rash are no worse and manageable and if she has a new Doctor, it could be he wants to get his own patient list up to date and within the recommended timelines. It may have been useful for the hospital to send a letter explaining why the scan was brought forward so people did not worry about this.

Hope both you and your Mum are reassured and if in doubt you could call the lung cancer nurse specialist to confirm or radiology.

If you wish to discuss anything you can either email us at [e-mail] or call our freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Helpline

[LewLew19 in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thanks so much you’ve really helped to reassure. My mum can not wait to put the phone down when she’s talking to the nurse or doctors so she doesn’t ask any questions. My dad would normally go with her but obviously that’s not possible and she’s only communicating with them via phone. It’s just made it tricker to manage her worries.

You provide such an amazing service, thank you. My regular donations are just a small token of my gratitude.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle in reply to LewLew19]

Thank you LewLew19 for your post and it sounds like you are doing all you can in supporting your Mum.

Thank you for your continuous generous donations, which is gratefully appreciated.

Take care and kind regards

The Roy Castle Helpline