Lung cancer

[MIAAN]

Hi, my nan has just been diagnosed with lung cancer after having a cough for s really long time (first thought to be a smokers cough). I'm not sure what stage she's in, she will be going to the hospital to find out how far it has advanced and they are talking about operating to remove the cancer. My nan has diabetes too. If she has stage 4 cancer (praying to God that she doesn't and that this is just the early stages) what is the likelihood of surviving?

My DH had lung cancer, his was found at stage 4. He also was type 1 diabetic with kidney issues. We managed 21 months. My best advice would be to step away from google, the figures in there are really out of date. Things have moved on quickly in advancements in lung cancer.

There's a few good groups on Facebook which really helped me. This but waiting fir results is the worse but, once you know what time and have a plan it 'seems' to get easier.

So sorry to hear this. After my Dad died we met with his oncologist as he had seen her 2 days before he died and she said he had a good 6-12 months left. What happened to him was very rare the oncologist said she’d only ever heard of it happening but never seen it happen. Anyway we asked about what ifs, he had been going to his gp for years complaining of certain things (he certainly wasn’t a complainer) by the time he was diagnosed he was stage 4 and it was in his bones, lungs, lymph nodes etc.. she was very honest and told us once the cancer is secondary there is no cure. They can treat it, even extend life expectancy but never cure it. This was just one doctor & well they aren’t always right. Although he was diagnosed with lung cancer we are convinced it started in his bones, his oncologist confirmed it was a possibility but they would never know. Obviously she had to be careful about the GPs dismissal of him over the years.

We had 10 months with my dad. We were lucky it allowed us to spend that time with him knowing he was going. As I said he died very unexpectedly due to a rare complication so went fast. In some ways this was good as seeing him deteriorating in a hospice would have been hard. He watched the same thing happen to his sister and SIL and although he put on a brave act, I know he didn’t want to go the same way. He was a strong proud man so we feel it was the lesser of 2 evils.

Although my dad was reluctant to have chemo, it definitely gave use more time, the Drs weren’t hopeful at all but it shrunk his tumour. And he kept his hair, which was very important to him and us as a family, he had an amazing head of hair in a family of bald men haha

The only thing I’d recommend is have a list of questions you want/need answering. Drs don’t like to give too much info and alternative scenarios, for example, if this dosnt work what next? they never wanted to commit. I’d say if you want a direct answer be insistent that you need facts.

@notapizzaeater

My DH had lung cancer, his was found at stage 4. He also was type 1 diabetic with kidney issues. We managed 21 months. My best advice would be to step away from google, the figures in there are really out of date. Things have moved on quickly in advancements in lung cancer.

There's a few good groups on Facebook which really helped me. This but waiting fir results is the worse but, once you know what time and have a plan it 'seems' to get easier.

I'm trying not to google things but it's so hard. My nan is the light of my life and I can't imagine going on if she's not here

@AliceMcK

So sorry to hear this. After my Dad died we met with his oncologist as he had seen her 2 days before he died and she said he had a good 6-12 months left. What happened to him was very rare the oncologist said she’d only ever heard of it happening but never seen it happen. Anyway we asked about what ifs, he had been going to his gp for years complaining of certain things (he certainly wasn’t a complainer) by the time he was diagnosed he was stage 4 and it was in his bones, lungs, lymph nodes etc.. she was very honest and told us once the cancer is secondary there is no cure. They can treat it, even extend life expectancy but never cure it. This was just one doctor & well they aren’t always right. Although he was diagnosed with lung cancer we are convinced it started in his bones, his oncologist confirmed it was a possibility but they would never know. Obviously she had to be careful about the GPs dismissal of him over the years.

We had 10 months with my dad. We were lucky it allowed us to spend that time with him knowing he was going. As I said he died very unexpectedly due to a rare complication so went fast. In some ways this was good as seeing him deteriorating in a hospice would have been hard. He watched the same thing happen to his sister and SIL and although he put on a brave act, I know he didn’t want to go the same way. He was a strong proud man so we feel it was the lesser of 2 evils.

Although my dad was reluctant to have chemo, it definitely gave use more time, the Drs weren’t hopeful at all but it shrunk his tumour. And he kept his hair, which was very important to him and us as a family, he had an amazing head of hair in a family of bald men haha

The only thing I’d recommend is have a list of questions you want/need answering. Drs don’t like to give too much info and alternative scenarios, for example, if this dosnt work what next? they never wanted to commit. I’d say if you want a direct answer be insistent that you need facts.

Unfortunately I won't really have the chance to ask any questions as I can't go to appointments with her due to current circumstances, I'm trying to remain positive and hope that the cancer hasn't spread, I feel helpless that I can't help her much but as a family we are supporting her the best we can

@MIAAN I know it’s hard, my Nan was the most important person in my life, I miss her everyday even though it’s been 23 years since she died. But I know that she would never have forgiven me if I didn’t do everything in my power to have a good life. I named my first DD after her and I see her all the time in my DD.

Will the Drs not discuss things with you over the phone? We had nurses we could contact with questions and the Drs would have answers ready for us.

Fingers crossed it’s not spread. There are so many different types and treatment has come a long way xxx

@MIAAN when I couldn't attend appointments DH used to phone me on hands free so I was 'in the room' and could ask all the questions.

If they can operate then that’s positive. My mum’s lung cancer was too high up so couldn’t be cut out as the risk was too great.

She responded well to chemo and radiotherapy so it shrunk enough for her to have a decent quality of life for a couple of years before it started to grow again, but again after treatment she was well.

She lived for 5 years and 4 months after diagnosis with only the last year feeling really ill (except for during chemotherapy treatment of course)

@SingleHandSue

If they can operate then that’s positive. My mum’s lung cancer was too high up so couldn’t be cut out as the risk was too great.

She responded well to chemo and radiotherapy so it shrunk enough for her to have a decent quality of life for a couple of years before it started to grow again, but again after treatment she was well.

She lived for 5 years and 4 months after diagnosis with only the last year feeling really ill (except for during chemotherapy treatment of course)

Just wanted to come back and say my nan had a biopsy and some other tests and they came back negative, she is having part of her lung removed today so she won't be going through chemo, I'm so happy :)

That’s great new OP 💐

That's really good they can operate. X