Hi my mother has just been diagnosed with small cell lung cancer , she had a enlargment seen in a xray , then had a c.t the a biopsy the consultant didnt say much other than to make a appointment with a specialist but he did say they wouldnt be able to get rid of it just manage it , there is something else in her throat which he also said could be managed .The trouble is she isnt in the best health having shortness of breath back pain ,and vomiting also a numb finger ? but i and my dad and sister are worried sick about what the specialist will say , he says there will be a couciller there as well, my mother is in denial and i am falling to pieces i am just looking for any good news or hope that there might be a way out of this nightmare , everywhere i look it just seems to be a matter of time :(

martin

marrowsmith, I heard the voice of doom in April 2005 when I was diagnosed with SCLC. My doctor and the surgeon who biopsied the enlarged lymph didn't give me much hope, and then I responded very quickly to chemo and radiation. To make a long story short I just had my third clean scan since July 2005 and the cancer is in remission. This could last for years or the cancer could start again next week. I will never give up hope until I talk to the angels. I hope you can be strong and supportive and help your Mom as much as possible. You can click on tuckygal on any post I have made and be able to read all my posts. God bless, and you will all be in my prayers. Love from Ky., Pat

My heart goes out to you Martin, my mother has been diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer and declined treatment (i wouldn't argue with her) but is also in denial about everything and anything to do with this

I was so disappointed in the specialist consult she was given (luckily I was with her) where the oncologist didn't share anything except one avenue of treatment and was somewhat pushy about it...no counsellor, no other support offered

This was the same oncologist that treated my dad for oral cancer before he passed on a hear ago and when she saw my mother she said...oh you look familiar, have we met!!!!!

I'm struggling with this as a newbie, my dad took his diagnosis and worked with it, sadly to no avail, but my mother has cancelled even an appointment to see why she's choking on her food on a regular basis (she lives alone so it's very worrying)

I send good thoughts your way and hope that you find the support you will need from the profession and from those around you.

Fiona

Thanks for the support , i despair at the nhs in the united kingdom , she was told last wed that she had sclc and they havent even rung with an appointment to see the spedcialist my mum is having to chase them !!! its disgusting and makes me so mad .
To lose your father and find out your mother is also battling must be so hard to keep any faith in the world of medicine , cancer such an awfull thing its just something knowone ever speaks about untill there or a loved one needs to face it . It just annoys me that your treated as a statistic and to me shes my mum and i want them to do anything in there power to help :(

thanks and good luck to everyone

martin

I hear you Martin re the NHS....my mum is in Scotland. It took 6 weeks to see the oncologist from the time her GP found the shadow. She luckily has a very caring GP locally but I find it difficult to believe that even though she has opted out of invasive treatment, he is not encouraging her in any way to go for counselling and all he will do is see her once a month for a chat.

It's hard, so very hard.

My thoughts will be with you.

Fiona

Thanks fiona and tucky girl, i am going on holiday tomorrow friday and my mother has her appointment to see the oncologist on the monday they have brought it forward a week so now i am gonna be out of the country for the news :( my dad and sister will go with her i am praying for good news but if its bad news i am gonna feel awfull as i am not there for her , but with a wife and family of my own i have to split myself ,of course it had been earlier i would have cancelled my holiday just like that .

I am dreading the news my wife keeps telling me to be positive but all i can see is the bigger picture , i just cant help it after everything i have read nothing much makes me feel hopefull , i wish i was the positive optomistic person i should be

take care
martin

sometimes, Martin, being realistic is better than anything else....i'm hoping for good news for you and am glad your mum will be there with family to support her and to maybe ask questions if she allows that

whatever the results, she has the love of her family and that will go a long way to helping her through whatever may lie ahead

take care

Fiona