Macmillan nurse appointment

[coffeetime1]

Hi, a family member has previously had lung cancer, the odds were not in their favour but 6 years later they have recently had what was meant to be their final scan before being discharged so we were feeling positive. They have received a letter following this scan for an appointment with a Macmillan nurse in about 5 weeks time. I'm not sure what this means. Half of me thinks if they spotted something on the scan then surely they would have an appointment with a consultant to start and not go straight to the Macmillan nurse, but the other half is worried that an appointment with a Macmillan nurse cannot be good.

Does anyone have any experience here that they could share? Thank you!

Honestly, I'd phone and ask. They know, or should know, that nothing puts a cancer patient on edge like an unexpected appointment letter.

Thank you, I've suggested they do that.

It could be for an offer of counselling. I think I was offered that when a close relative had DH from some charity somewhere, it honestly hadn't even crossed my mind but it was nice to be offered.

It would be amazing if that was the case🤞

If it was urgent then it would be a lot sooner than 5 weeks and not to see the nurse alone.

It sounds like you are equating 'Macmillan nurse' with palliative care but does the letter give more details of her job title? Macmillan nurse in hospital is more likely to be a specialist nurse working in particular aspects of cancer. Huge ranges of staff are now badged Macmillan, you need to know what their actual job is.

My guess would be that your relative has been given a routine appointment for follow up after the scan in a nurse-led clinic.

One of the first things I said when I saw the letter was that the appointment would be a lot sooner if it was very serious. When they were diagnosed and treated originally, they were told that after they received all their treatment if that didn't work there was nothing else that could be done so their worry is that the cancer has returned.

The letter only stated Macmillan nurse, but it is reassuring to read your post, thank you.