My brother

[Brianderrick12]

Hi me again - my brother has started treatment- 2nd chemo & immunotherapy yesterday - he’s doing ok ish but his cough is getting worse & he’s exceptionally breathless - is it normal for that to happen ? He has to put the phone down because he gets so stressed. I’m flying in for his appointment with his oncologist- preparing a list of questions- feel so anxious about him - Thankyou

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Brianderrick12,

I'm sorry to hear that your brother's cough and breathlessness seem to be worsening. How worrying for you both. Did he mention these yesterday when he attended for treatment?

I would suggest he contacts his chemotherapy unit this morning to inform them. They may want to see and assess him, do his observations, perhaps take some bloods or do a chest xray. These symptoms could be a result of the cancer, the immunotherapy - it can cause inflammation, including of the lungs, or due to low blood count - unlikely given that he received his treatment yesterday and these would have been checked prior. With anything new or getting worse, the treatment team need to made aware immediately. Please advise him to call them.

For further information about chemotherapy and immunotherapy, you may find our information booklets helpful. Find these at roycastle.org/help-and-supp... If you would like any posted out to you, please let us know by emailing [e-mail] and we can arrange this for you.

We also have some Zoom groups which may be helpful for yourself and/or your brother. These are facilitated by a member of the Roy Castle team and are held fortnightly. The groups are as follows:

- Living with lung cancer – Typically for those people post-treatment or those on immunotherapy. Sessions run on a continuous basis to allow people to dip in and out as they choose. Wednesdays fortnightly, 2pm – 3pm

- Managing During Treatment – All treatment pathways welcome. Cycle of 6. Wednesdays fortnightly 6.30pm – 7.30pm

- Support for Carers – For anyone with a loved one with a diagnosis. Tuesdays fortnightly, 6.30pm – 7.30pm

And we have our free Ask The Nurse helpline service which is available Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pm and Fridays 9am – 4pm. If you would like to discuss anything further, we would be very happy to talk to you. Tel: [phone].

Best wishes,

[sassassas]

Thinking of you and your brother Brian xx