Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Life-limiting illness

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Lung cancer

21 replies

BroomHandledMouser · 31/10/2017 07:33

My lovely nana has been diagnosed with lung cancer yesterday. To say we're all heartbroken is an understatement. She is the most amazing woman and I can't believe this is happening to be honest.

My mum was saying that they couldn't do a biopsy because it was too dangerous. So how can they know it's lung cancer? What do they mean too dangerous? Because of it's position or something?

So sorry for the questions, my head is spinning at the minute and I didn't know if anyone could help me.
Xx

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 31/10/2017 23:48

Sorry to hear what you are going through. Yes it may be too dangerous to biopsy as the tumour may be close to blood vessels. They can tell by scans or xrays they just wont know the exact type of cancer they are dealing with.

ILoveDolly · 01/11/2017 22:53

There are quite a few different types of tests they can do, scans, blood tests etc that would show up a cancer.

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 04/11/2017 22:35

DH has lung cancer. His tumour is wrapped around the top of his aorta and round his pulmonary artery apparently so the biopsy was inconclusive as to whether it has spread, because they couldn't get at it properly without risking complications.

He is having an EBUS tomorrow where they go in through the neck - is this something your nan's specialist is considering too?

I understand completely how you are feeling, I am devastated and telling our boys was the hardest thing we have ever done. Hopefully this new test (which is carried out under general anaesthetic) will show it's not spread and they can operate and remove the tumour, and shrink what's left with radiotherapy. It's a whole new language to learn, and an emotional minefield. DH swings from optimism to talking about his funeral and crying because he thinks he has let me down by getting sick. I don't feel grown up enough to cope with this but I need to stay strong for him and the boys.

KitschNCabernet · 07/11/2017 23:28

May I join in?
Flowers to all dealing with this. DH was diagnosed with lung cancer in June and we have been struggling with treatment since then. There's a lot to learn, and so much uncertainty, and no 2 cases are the same so comparisons are of limited use.
Everyone has their own way of coping with the crap of life, so I'm hesitant to be to offer too much by way of suggestion, but I have found it that my RL friends and work colleagues have been really supportive, although the first few times I had to tell people it was really hard, but it is now becoming our new normal and we are learning how to do stuff in a way that works for us. I hope you are all get support from your family/friends and, of course the Mnet online folk!
keep in touch and let us know how you go.

Original poster
BroomHandledMouser · 08/11/2017 14:54

I'm so sorry kitsch and AndNone Flowers

I'm still trying to get my head round it all. Massively outing myself here but my mum lives in France. She's coming home permanently in a few weeks, timing couldn't be any better. I feel so sad for her, I'm trying my best. I've been delivering home cooked food three time a week so I know they have a meal.

I cannot get a grip on this. They've diagnosed her as having cancer but she's still waiting for a biopsy which is next week. Wtf? She's confused as well as everyone else in the family. She's so breathless and is now complaining of hip and back pain and wish to god I didn't google it.

Seeing her like this is breaking my heart xx

OP posts:
Original poster
BroomHandledMouser · 30/11/2017 21:58

So we've finally had the results back from the biopsy and it isn't good.

She actually has bowel cancer, which has spread to her lungs and onto her bones. They won't be treating her.

I, along with the rest of the family are just bereft. I have so many questions but don't feel I can ask them to her. The McMillan nurses will be coming in to see her next week and apparently they will know a lot more so we can ask questions.

She told me today that she hasn't got long. She's so calm and poised, so resolute and strong. She's my nana and I don't want her to go

OP posts:
littleorange · 30/11/2017 22:08

Didn't want to read and run...

I'm so so sorry. What fucking shitty news. If she does feel calm and poised that's an enormous credit to her. Lots of people, especially the elderly, often are quite pragmatic about such news. I know my beloved grandad was. Give yourselves some time to absorb the news and then think about next steps.

Massive hugs.

Original poster
BroomHandledMouser · 30/11/2017 22:12

Thanks little xx

OP posts:
QOD · 30/11/2017 22:20

Gosh what a shocker - s sorry t read this

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 30/11/2017 22:28

Oh no, such sad news Flowers

DH has been told his cancer is probably stage 4. They may be able to down stage it if the tumour moves away from the heart when prodded but they think it has permeated the aorta and spread into the blood stream. There are two tumours now where before there was just one, but they are both in the same lung.

Your nan will feel supported though knowing you and your mum are there for her.

KitschNCabernet · 01/12/2017 01:11

Sorry to hear your bad news broom and AndNon. I’m learning all the time about how tough this can be. DH had kidney failure from his first Chemo session and ended up with 3 weeks in hospital and a couple of months dialysis. This was followed a month or so later by heart failure and a further stay in hospital to have a lung drain. The process is exhausting for him and heartbreaking to watch.
I hope you have good support networks and find time for yourself. Caring for sliced one is tough.
On the plus side there seem to be lots of new therapies that are quite promising, so glass half full eh?
Thinking of you all.

KitschNCabernet · 01/12/2017 01:12

Doh! Caring for a LOVED ONE!!

Original poster
BroomHandledMouser · 01/12/2017 13:26

Sending you all lots of love. Thank you for your support xx

OP posts:
Original poster
BroomHandledMouser · 18/12/2017 17:41

So nana has deteriorated a fair amount since the last time I posted.

MacMillan have totally messed up her medicine - they've forgotten a load which meant we were running round over the weekend trying to find out who had it because we couldn't get hold of anyone Angry

She's in so much pain and now the nurses won't be back until the 12th Jan. I'm absolutely flabbergasted how they can leave someone so frightened and vunerable in so much pain.

I have no faith in any medical professional at the moment.

OP posts:
OnlyTheDepthVaries · 18/12/2017 19:06

Broom If nana is in pain and you think she needs more or different medication please call the out of hours GPs in your area. I’m sure they will help...we had a similar problem and the doctors were brilliant.

yawning801 · 18/12/2017 19:10

Oh Broom that's awful, I'm so sorry that the medical professionals are letting you down. YY to out of hours GP.

Original poster
BroomHandledMouser · 27/12/2017 10:46

My nana moved in with my mum over Xmas so we could keep an eye on her. She's deteriorated so much inside a week it's unbelievable.

I called this morning and mum had called an ambulance as her breathing was laboured and rattled and she was unconscious Sad

Is this the end?

OP posts:
Pandoraphile · 28/12/2017 15:34

How is she today OP?

Original poster
BroomHandledMouser · 29/12/2017 08:41

The cancer has spread to her brain Sad

She's confused and drifting in and out of consciousness at the moment. I went to see her yesterday and she thought I was the hotel waitress taking a breakfast order!!

OP posts:
Pandoraphile · 29/12/2017 13:08

That's a nice illusion to have! 😂

She sounds like she's in the best place for her Thanks I never got to say goodbye to my nana because my mother wouldn't allow anyone but my aunt and grandfather anywhere near her Sad

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 29/12/2017 20:19

That's so sad, broom - I'm sorry it has happened so quickly. Flowers

We found out today that DH's cancer has spread to his lymph nodes and that he will need chemo, but there is only a short window and he may not be fit enough to go through it as he's still recovering from the lung removal. I just feel numb. I can't talk to anyone because nobody knows what to say.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page