feeling down

[Sally789]

awaiting diagnosis and fearing the worst! Imagination is going beserk, Any tips for lifting my mood whilst waiting. GP described 2mg Diazepam . I take one at night to help me sleep but wonder if I need something stronger for the day.

[JanetteR57]

sorry to read of your anxiety and know it can be quite debilitating.... mood can often be lifted by physical activity like a walk in the fresh air if that's possible for you. medications often carry side effects that can be as bad as whatever you're trying to avoid.

What is the worst that you fear? many believe the very word cancer means an imminent end but that's far from the case.... this time in 2010 I had no idea what I had - only that my lung imaging had all showed a large mass and I'd had it removed on 16/12 with half my left lung in an open thoracotomy operation rather than the keyhole ones that are more common now. I had to wait until 13/1 for the results which showed it was a 7cm mucinous adenocarcinoma - a type of non small cell lung cancer - I'd been kept in after being readmitted via A&E in the October and told it was uncontrolled asthma! I thought that would be my last Xmas given what I'd found on the internet - and others' experiences at that point of lung cancer although I hadn't been told it was cancer - but I was back at work and swimming by the end of March 2011. Since then treatments of every type have changed for lung cancer with improved outcomes so even if the 'worst' and it is cancer, it's not an automatic sudden end.... and if it isn't, there are usually treatments for whatever it turns out to be. ..

Our imaginations run riot with the unknown so keep busy - do something to engross yourself in a task, film, book, or other people's company without thinking about whatever you imagine the worst to be. Having lost 2 siblings and a niece all prematurely and unexpectedly and none from cancer - it certainly changed my perspective on life and how we live out our days however long we may have. good luck.

[Sally789 in reply to JanetteR57]

Thank you so much for your words. I’m lucky in that I have quite a few friends whom I can spend time with, being with people keeps my mind occupied. You are so right saying our imaginations run riot, I definitely need to keep my mind more occupied whilst I wait to see if a treatment plan is going to be an option.

So heartwarming to see you were diagnosed in 2010, wonderful to know you have done so well. I’m going to keep that in my mind and thank you again for your reply.

X

[Bow-19 in reply to Sally789]

I would try to do things that you enjoy. Also recommend not looking at the internet and googling lung cancer as it’s a very complex area and you need someone with specialist expertise to talk to you about your situation. Hoping that you don’t get diagnosed with lung cancer too. The waiting is tough especially at this time of year which might delay things x

[JanetteR57 in reply to Sally789]

when I got involved with lung cancer research in late 2013 and met survivors who were decades out, 10, 15 and even 20+ years out I was so inspired - as hadn't appreciated that from what I'd found on the internet. There are survivors in all categories - it's not a zero sum game so why not try and think of yourself in the percentage who have different outcomes rather than where your mind is going when feeling bleak. I'm appreciative of life itself - and thankful for a second chance - having lost 2 sisters and a niece from unexpected premature deaths reframed my thoughts about the whole situation... especially as we were told my dad wouldn't reach 60 having had 2 lots of bowel cancer in his late 50s - he'll be 95 in February -and had another primary bowel cancer in 2016 at the age of 86 and yet more radical surgery. never give up but also get on with your life as best you can whilst you can.... thinking of you and hoping you get some peace of mind soon.

[Sally789 in reply to JanetteR57]

Your words are so inspiring. Really appreciated

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Sally789

Sorry to hear of your understandable anxiety on waiting for a diagnosis. You have received wonderful replies from both JanetteR57 and Bow19 of which there is not much to add, it is encouraging to read their experiences.

We offer information and support services for anyone who are worried about symptoms, or going through investigations and not everyone that contacts us has or receives a lung cancer diagnosis. We are open today if you want to chat to our helpline nurse on 0800 358 7200 0900-1700 and reopen on 2nd January 0900-1700, alternatively you can email our ask the nurse at [e-mail]

Try to avoid looking up anything on the internet as the information may not be accurate or up to date. Do get in touch if you would like to discuss anything.

All the very best

Ask the nurse

The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

[SAH1]

To one Sally from another of a similar age..... Eight years ago I was in your position. I can remember watching my baby grandson pull himself up on the furniture to walk and wondering if I'd ever see him walk independently. I remember being sad because I thought I'd never achieve my dream of moving to the countryside. I got the news that I had a large tumour but the PET scan was clear. I had my right upper lobe removed and mop up chemo, which wasn't too bad. I haven't looked back. I'm just having a pause from a lively game of hide and seek with said grandson. We moved to a lovely village in Norfolk last year, and spent Boxing Day traipsing across sand dunes on the local beach looking at baby seals. I walk my dogs for a couple of miles most days and generally lead a reasonably active life.

Presumably there's a chance your diagnosis isn't cancer - that's the best case scenario. If it is, please believe that it isn't necessarily a death sentence. I think I read some posts by JanetteR57 and others in the same boat while I was waiting for my diagnosis and treatment plan and I found them enormously encouraging.

[Sally789 in reply to SAH1]

New Years Day and I opened my email to find 2 more replies 1 from yourself and also from Amanda. Really heartwarming, feel very lucky to have found this site and I’ve already had 2 very informative and positive messages from JanetteR57. I’m trying to be positive, eating as much as I can, going out for walks trying to maintain my strength. I have a brain scan 6 jan so hopefully with the results from that and the biopsy taken 18 dec I will find out what I have actually got. I do know it’s cancer, the dr mentioned immunotherapy and chemotherapy so an operation is not an option. It’s all been such a shock because I had an operation to remove a small tumour in December 23, told to just get on with my life, a CT scan in June was clear then after developing a wheezy cough all this has happened. I keep looking at family members thinking I won’t see them grow up. Hopefully I will get some answers soon and if I am lucky to receive a treatment plan I will embrace it and give it my all.

Thank you again for your positive words X

[Mindini1964]

Hi there, I was in your position this time last year, the waiting is awful, but after chatting on here busied myself with Christmas but no one can prepare you for bad news if u get it.

I had Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the mouth in 2002, after extensive surgery & radiotherapy I got on with life. In November 23 a month after my sister died from lung, stomach & liver Cancer(she was a heavy smoker and drinker) I started with a hoarse voice. After an x ray & pet scan & biopsies, I was told It had returned as a secondary to my lungs, and there was no treatment for me except maybe a clinical trial at Christies. Fast forward a month and after accidently being sent to a lung specialist, instead of a head and neck specialist, he was adamant this was adenocarcinoma primary to the lungs as the nodules are too small to be of the exact same cancer 22years later. Iv never been so made up in my life!! As surgery was not an option for me as about 9 nodules all together, largest being 3.1cm I was put on a 3 monthly watch and see how it behaves. In April last year they had all grown 1mm but in July & October they hadn't grown at all, I'm mostly fit and well, iv had a few chest infections but antibiotics have sorted that. I go again in April and yes I get anxious b4 scans but I don't feel any difference really. There are amazing treatments out there that can prolong life and improving all the time. Live life to the full, I'm writing this from my sun lounger in Tenerife!.

Take 1 day at at time and look after yourself, it's not always bad news and those who can have surgery gand go on to live a relatively normal life.

Take care

Regards

Amanda