Introducing myself.

[Loveofmylife]

My name is Linden and my husband Mike who is the Love of my Life was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer with a spinal secondary in February 2019. He has had wonderful treatment via the NHS including chemotherapy, immunotherapy and spinal surgery just over a year ago. Mike is doing very well and we are currently on holiday in Tenerife. He is a very good example of someone who is living well with cancer despite ‘a few bumps along the road.’ He has a very positive outlook. This website is very useful and I hope that our story might encourage others. I think that there is a huge value in a self-help group and it’s great to be able to benefit from the experience of the health professionals on this site. Thank you all for being there for us.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Linden

Thank you for the beautiful message and words of encouragement for others going through this, this will be invaluable for so many with a stage 4 diagnosis.

We hope Mike continues to be well and you are both having a great holiday just now.

For anyone interested in sharing their story to our website or Inspire magazine you can contact [e-mail] or call 0333 323 7200 (extension 9156) and this is the link to the page: roycastle.org/get-involved/...

All the very best

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Loveofmylife in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

What a lovely reply, thank you Support Team xx

[Hidden]

Hello Linden, thank you for sharing, stories like yours gives me hope. I’ve got Stage 4 NSCLC that’s spread to an upper fractured vertebrae which I’ve had many years and due to my osteoporosis. I’m 65 and sometimes think there is no hope. It was picked up completely by accident when having tests for my bowel condition, diverticulitis. It came as a massive shock, no symptoms of lung cancer and none now, just discomfort in my neck. Had my first session of immunotherapy last week (Atezolizumab) which I can stay on indefinitely. I’m at Christie’s and as you say the NHS is wonderful. Spinal surgery must have been so hard for both of you and for Mike recovering from such a major op. Enjoy your holiday and thanks again. Pam x

[JanetteR57 in reply to Hidden]

never give up Loimie - there is always hope - many diagnosed with lung cancer have no symptoms and are found when investigating for something else .... It was 11 years yesterday since I turned up in A&E on a trip that changed my life - by January 2011 I'd been diagnosed with lung cancer and had a 7cm tumour and half my lung removed - I was back at work 3 months later... and have gone onto be involved in lung cancer research and support. many patients who develop lesions on their spine are treated to stereotactic radio surgery which is actually a form of radiotherapy rather than spinal surgery.... there's a lot to learn - my niece also had gamma knife treatment on her brain some years ago and my dad (91) was confused as he'd thought this was surgery until I explained it was a very specific type of radiotherapy.... they use 'surgery' 'gamma/cyber' knife terminology to describe the type of machine that delivers a very precise dose of radiotherapy almost in a 'surgical' way.... good that you're on immunotherapy and being dealt with at Christie's... as you're already at risk of bone frailty from your osteoporosis, they're likely to keep a close eye on your current bone health.... good luck.... and try not to lose hope - in the last 5-6 years every treatment for lung cancer has changed including surgery which now is done for the majority by keyhole and immunotherapy has been offered to many more due to the pandemic.... keep living your best life.... thinking of you...

[JanetteR57]

Thanks for sharing your story - so important for patients and their loved ones to appreciate there is life after the scary diagnosis and different treatments... hope you enjoy your trip to warmer climes... good luck for the rest of his treatments...

[Red58]

Lovely story so good to hear x

[Eglingham]

Hi Linden,

Thank you for sharing your story. Have an amazing holiday and carry on loving life x