Devastated with the news.
I have a cancer in my left lung and modules in my right. I am to start target drugs Friday.
Does anyone out there have some experience with target drugs or in the same boat. I am struggling to come to terms, I keep thinking the worst.
Thank you so much. Xxxx
You're at a very scary time right now and that's understandable but the situation has changed so much in recent years with a plethora of treatments including targeted drugs that are personally targeted at patients with different tumour characteristics or other conditions. it's approaching 10 years since I went to A&E (15/10/10) and a 'lesion' was found in my left lung. A few months later I had surgery to remove the 'large mass' (7cm tumour) and half my left lung and diagnosed in Jan 2011. I was back at work and swimming 3 months later and have been more active and returned to travel. I tell you this also because in the last 6 years I have become very involved in lung cancer research in the UK and Europe and met so many survivors - some of whom are 20+ years out from their diagnosis and many others who have 'targeted' therapies, immunotherapy and the more traditional chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery (albeit in almost unrecognisable forms since my diagnosis) have lived much longer than they imagined. It's natural to think the worst but hopefully once you start your treatment and can ask questions of your clinical team, you will start to understand what is happening. There is regularly updated clinically validated patient information on many aspects of lung cancer, its treatment types and living with lung cancer issues on Roy Castle lung cancer foundation website which is the UK's only charity dedicated to lung cancer. It also offers a nurse led helpline and suggests questions to ask in its information. Much of the information on the internet is grossly out of date and inaccurate. This week I've taken part in the virtual European Respiratory Congress and attended many lung cancer sessions - there are new treatments and more being discovered about the wide variety of characteristics of the different lung cancers all the time. good luck. roycastle.org/about-lung-ca...
Thank you Janette xxx
you're welcome. Incidentally, mine was non small cell lung cancer (adenocarcinoma)
Yes mine too. However, only maintenance can be done.
To look at me you would think nothing is wrong. No symptoms.
I am obsessed at the moment with time. (How long) I need to get rid of that and focus positively.
Thank you Janette.
the truth is none of us know how long our life will be irrespective of our health - accidents, terrorist incidents, random acts. I lost my sister aged 40 almost 19 years ago and then last year we lost her oldest daughter suddenly at 33 from a massive bleed on her brain - neither had time to put their affairs in order, or live their best life. my diagnosis and all these incidents only remind me that life is precious and somehow we have to make the most of it whilst we can.... you're right, try and distract yourself with life itself and the quality of it.... take care
Hello Prundence007,
As JanetteR57 has said with new treatments now offered such as targeted therapies it has greatly improved treatment outcomes and quality of life. I have added below links to our booklets and information on targeted therapies below.
roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...
roycastle.org/about-lung-ca...
If you If you wish to talk to us about anything you can either email us at lungcancerhelp@roycastle.org or call our freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200
Kind regards
The Roy Castle Support Team
Treatment for Advanced /METASTIC NSCLC
My mums journey with stage IV NSCLC
Non-smoking fit lady with NSCLC
Stage 4 NSCLC with metatasis to brain 
