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Original poster

Lung cancer spread to pleural cavity

28 replies

Pinkbubbles12 · 17/10/2020 08:55

Hi, i was woundering if anyone has had this known anyone?

My mum is 64 healthy (well was before this) infact more active than me, never an illness. 2 weeks ago she started feeling tired, breathless and cough, we got a covid test, it was negative so she went to the doctors.
Doctors sent her to a&e as her oxygen was low and her lung sounded full.

After xrays, scan etc she was found to have a collapsed lung qnd fluid in pleural area, so they drained it etc 3pts later and after a ct scan a numerous test she has a mass on her lung which is cancer and it has spread to the pleural space.
Complete shock

She was aloud home yesterday to rest while the doctos meet tuesday with consultants and oncology and will contact us which next plan and stages.

Ive tried to find so much information and it all looks so so bleak

OP posts:
Original poster
Pinkbubbles12 · 17/10/2020 08:58

Sorry also forget to mention that because the cancer has spread she is now terminal, so the likely hood will be treatment to pro long life if they can

OP posts:
Original poster
Pinkbubbles12 · 17/10/2020 11:15

Bumping 🤞

OP posts:
crankyhousewife · 17/10/2020 13:02

I had what sounds like a similar situation with my mum. She was diagnosed with cancer in the pleural cavity which had spread from elsewhere although they never did find, or look for, the primary site. My mum was 62 and prior to diagnosis as fit as a fiddle.

Unfortunately she went downhill rapidly and it was decided against any treatment. She passed away eight weeks after diagnosis.

I'm sorry you're going through this.

Bluebellbike · 17/10/2020 15:40

Similar with my Mum. Had a persistent cough which lasted weeks, aged 68. Had antibiotics, cough still persisted. 6 weeks after cough started they found a tumour in her windpipe. Surgery to remove most of it so she could breathe. A few weeks later secondaries found in her lungs. Less than 12 weeks from the cough starting she died. Two weeks after her 69th birthday.Awfully fast. 🙁

Original poster
Pinkbubbles12 · 17/10/2020 16:26

Im staying with her now as she lives ine my dad died of lung cancer 12 years ago 😔
I can't believe it she looks fine and normal chatting away.

I can't lose my mum she is my world

OP posts:
Summerdayshaze · 18/10/2020 00:55

Sending you hugs and thoughts. I lost my mum to cancer, four months from diagnosis. I wish you special times together still.

JinglingHellsBells · 18/10/2020 10:39

@Pinkbubbles12 I'm so sorry to hear about your mum - it must be very hard for you.

I really don't want to sound insensitive, but I'd say it was really important for people to know how often lung cancer can be found in non smokers and why coughs etc should be checked out. So- do you mind my asking- were your mum or dad smokers?

Original poster
Pinkbubbles12 · 18/10/2020 11:50

Thank you both very much.

Yes unfortunately my dad was a heavy smoker, his actual cancer wasn't what killed him as such, it was his operation he was only 55 so we never saw him ill as he was as fit as a fiddle going into op.

Mum was never a heavy smoker as such but gave up about 6 years ago she is the mist healthiest person, everything she eats is healthy never has take outs honestly can't believe it, the amount she walks every day too, puts me to shame.

My children adore her every day after school she is at my house, every friday they sleep at her house its just so hard

OP posts:
Pelleas · 18/10/2020 12:38
Flowers
YeOldeTrout · 18/10/2020 12:47

:( to read this. I had a friend die of breast cancer about 10 years go. She stood there at toddler group looking normal, young, vigorous, vibrant & telling us she'll die soon & no treatment can help. It was all so surreal. I imagine I would try to focus on quality time and understand that living well but with terminal cancer for longer & longer periods is becoming the norm, better & better treatments are found every day. Flowers

BovaryX · 18/10/2020 12:51

OP
I am very sorry to hear that, you must be so shocked and distressed. My beloved aunt died of lung cancer twenty years after she quit smoking. My father spent his last years struggling to breathe through the horror of emphysema. It's a wicked disease. Best wishes to you and your mum.

Original poster
Pinkbubbles12 · 18/10/2020 20:47

Thank you, it's very hard to accept when she is so well.
She keeps asking questions on what i think and rightly or wrongly im telling her all is going to be ok, she knows what i am like and will research till i can't find anything else to look at.
My sister is in pieces and can't hold it together, my brother lives abroad and is arranging a flight this week.

I have not told the kids yet, i don't even no how to go about that but we have time to sort that when we no more.

Im living here now and popping back to see kids when i can, we are literally 5 mins walk away, so the kids come qnd wave through the window, with dam covid we can't risk them bringing anything in with being at school.

We have spent all weekend snuggling, pampering and watching movies, i think this will be the last quiet and peaceful weekend for a while

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bloodywhitecat · 18/10/2020 20:52

We're in a similar kind of situation. DP looks fit and well but has pancreatic cancer, he has surgery soon to try to remove the tumour otherwise he'll be dead in 6-12 months. I cuddle up to him at night and wonder how the fuck this can be happening. He's 56 and at the start of 2020 we had the rest of our lives ahead of us. It's a real shock isn't it. I am not sure we ever get to grips with it.

MrPanks · 18/10/2020 21:05

Dear OP, my mum was 61 when she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. She was as fit as a fiddle and the only thing that brought her to the doctor was a mild but persistent cough and some bumps under the skin at the base of her neck (turns out it had already gone to her lymph nodes). She lived with it for 22 months and had 2 lots of chemo during that time. She was mostly well throughout, but went down quickly in the last month of her life. I am so sorry for your poor mum and for you OP. Big hugs.

MrPanks · 18/10/2020 21:06

Dear @bloodywhitecat, so sorry to hear about your DH, that is just so sad.

Original poster
Pinkbubbles12 · 18/10/2020 21:24

Bloodywhitecat im so sorry about your husband, just no words.
Cuddle tighter, unfortunately i no too well how all the thoughts go through your head, did i tell him i loved him enough? Did he know how many people loved him bla bla. Have no regrets, leave nothing un said.
This is what im doing, ebery minute i get im trying to breath it in, trying to soak it up because i will look back and wish i could have these days back.

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Original poster
Pinkbubbles12 · 18/10/2020 21:26

Im so sorry so many have gone through this.
When a loved one dies they gake a part of you with them and you never feel the same, i guess just get used to the new normal.

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Fluffmonkey82 · 18/10/2020 21:30

I am so sorry to hear this op, I unfortunately have personal experience of this, thinking of you xx

notapizzaeater · 18/10/2020 21:33

My hubby has stage 4 lung cancer. Prognosis really does depend on which type she has - SCLC (small cell lung cancer) normally in smokers or NSCLC (non small cell lung cancer) - normally in non smokers. Sometimes in NSCLC they can offer a targeted therapy (chemo in a tablet) - my DH has been having this. Unfortunately it always mutates again. My DH was diagnosed about 18 months ago, we are coming to the end of our journey and he has a few weeks left. Up until recently he was 'well' and continued to work, do stuff. If you want to 'talk' or ask questions just message me.

rainbowninja · 18/10/2020 21:40

Thinking of you OP, what a shock for you. I hope some of the cancer charities can offer you support. The not knowing is so hard. I guess once the experts can advise on treatment you will have something to focus on. Sending love to you and your mum xxx

Original poster
Pinkbubbles12 · 19/10/2020 11:39

Thank you again all so much, you are all so kind.
The waiting is awful as you all no, just constantly waiting for something.
@fluffmonkey82 would you mind sharing you experience? good or bad i like to no it all.
@notapizzaeater im so sorry, i can't imagine losing your husband, my muk struggled without my dad for so long, im also here to talk if you would like too
@rainbowninja i think once we here from the meeting we can reach out for help, ive been looking at macmillan

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Original poster
Pinkbubbles12 · 20/10/2020 19:27

Had a call today the CT scan show small blood clots on her lung, so we went to hospital and showed me how to do the injections, so back home now.
My goodness can there really be anything else, my poor mum

OP posts:
Isadora2007 · 20/10/2020 19:32

Could you take your children out of school early for half term so you can all be together? I know how much my mum loves being with her children and grandchildren and how much i would miss My grandson if I couldn’t be with him. I know covid is a worry but perhaps this time together would be best making some memories.

Original poster
Pinkbubbles12 · 20/10/2020 19:35

I wanted to take the kids out of school too, but they cried they wanted to go, and because im with my mum and dh is at work it means while they are at school i dont have to worry about not being here

OP posts:
Chimpfield · 20/10/2020 19:42

My mum had lung cancer which spread
To her wind pipe. Apart from having a stent to stretch the windpipe she did not have any treatment...... the drs gave her 6 months and she passed away exactly 6 months to the day. You sound like a wonderful daughter, cherish the time you have. Sending you a hug x

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