Mother diagnosed with lung cancer WATCH & WAIT
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25 posts since
10 Feb 2020
Previously my mother was diasgnosed with bowel cancer in 2018. She had a resection. Needed no further treatment. Her year CT was last November. They found something on her lung. She had a PET scan. A week later a biopsy. Results came back as lung cancer. We were devastated. All her scan are clear. It is not secondary Thank God. Last week they rang to say the biopsy results showed it is a small, very slow growing cancer. Possibly has been there for a while. The best news we could possibly have. However yhey are undecided on treatment. Risks of surgery, side effects of radiotherapy or to ‘ watch & wait’. The latter terrifies me as I just want it gone asap. We have an appointment in 2 days to discuss all options. My mother is a young 72. Fit and well and completely symptom free. They said it would never have been found if she hadnt had bowel cancer. Has anyone had experience of ‘ watch & wait’? My anxiety is through the roof, feeling soo lucky but yet terrified x
I forgot to say.. they saw it on her first bowel cancer scan 14 months ago and thought it was scarring. As it had slightly grown that is why they decided to do the PET scan.
4 posts since
8 Feb 2020
I can’t really give you any advice but I just want to wish your mum well. I have just had bowel resection and have discovered I need PET scan and Bronchoscopy as lesions found on lungs.
Try to stay positive for your Mum and hopefully between you and her team a decision can be made quickly and correctly.
Hugs to you all. X
1760 posts since
26 Jun 2017
Dear SarahLiz, I truly wish that at the age of 71 my husband had been offered watch and wait but it was stage 4 lung cancer so chemotherapy, radiotherapy and this left him with so many other problems as the treatment is so severe that it damages all sorts. If Mum is being monitored regularly then they will know if it starts growing. Apart from a cough my husband was symptom free and not unwell ljust ike your Mum. Three years on he is struggling and now needs more treatment which is difficult due to the damage the previous treatment has caused him. Watch and wait seems a good way forward and you need to trust that her oncologist has her best interests at heart. Obviously it’s your Mum’s decision I’m just telling it from my point of view. Best wishes to you and your Mum for many good years ahead. Love Carol
25 posts since
10 Feb 2020
Thank you Sheila. I’m sorry to hear you need more tests too. Soo unfair when you have beaten it once also. I have been feeling much more positive the last few days.
Think the waiting for biopsy and scan results was the worse. Now I just want to get on with whatever we have to do. My mother is amaazing.. well in front of us all.
Wishing you all the very best of luck too for the future xx
25 posts since
10 Feb 2020
Hello Carol
I’m sorry to hear how unwell your husband has been from the treatment. Hate this disease soo much. Soo unfair
That’s the thing.. all i kept thinking was I want her to have surgery, lobectomy, chemo, radio, anything!! But after googling.. I know i shouldnt but have read that as its slow growing (please God) it may not need treatment for a while and the side effects will be worse.
To hear the word ‘ cancer’ you just think to get rid of it. But then I also think ‘ok maybe we should wait but then what if we leave it and regret it?’
My mother is amaazing.. a half full person. Unfortunately I’m a worrier and half empty
Thank you Carol x
1760 posts since
26 Jun 2017
Stop googling it’s not good!! We all want our parents to live longer but at what cost? Your Mum sounds amazing so go with her choices, take it a day at a time, I’ve learned the hard way worrying is exhausting. Carol
25 posts since
10 Feb 2020
Yes your right there. It has consumed me since November. Yes one day at a time. I guess we will just have to see what they say on Wednesday
Thanks Carol x
1760 posts since
26 Jun 2017
Let me know what happens. Carol x
25 posts since
10 Feb 2020
Thank you Carol i will xxx
4995 posts since
15 Jul 2010
Hi SarahLiz,
This is a horrible situation to be in. I’ve been through it with my own mum and it wasn’t easy. My advice would be to write down all of your questions for tomorrow, before you attend her appointment.
I hope that the consultation goes well.
Kind regards,
Jolamine xx
25 posts since
10 Feb 2020
Thank you Jolamine
Did you Mam need treatment?
Hate it
Sarah xx
4995 posts since
15 Jul 2010
Hi Sarah,
Mum had a mastectomy, followed by radiotherapy. When she developed secondary cancer, there was nothing they could do for her.
That was 23 years ago. I was diagnosed with breast cancer myself 10 years after she died. It is just amazing how much diagnosis, treatment and after care have improved in that time. There is just no comparison between what she had and what I have experienced.
Kind regards,
Jolamine xx
25 posts since
10 Feb 2020
Im soo sorry to hear that Jolamine about your Mum.I cannot imagine how hard it must have been for you.
Wow you sound like you are doing amaaazing.
Thank goodness things have progressed soo much.
Hearing positive stories gives me soo much hope ❤️
Thank you Sarah xxx
25 posts since
10 Feb 2020
Hi Everyone
Had best news today.
It is definately not secondary bowel. It is small, 2.5 cm and slow growing and they want to do a lobectomy with curative intent.
Consultant said 2 surgeons were reluctant to do surgery in MDT due to her age, 72. Having met her today he said he would not hesitate to refer her for surgery. She is fit and well. He said if they refuse he would push for 2nd opinion and ” jump hoops” as he thinks she is suitable. We are “over the moon “to say the least. ECG all fine so hoping to see surgeons within 2 weeks to schedule the surgery. Not over yet but know where we are going now.. so lets do this
Sarahxxx
4995 posts since
15 Jul 2010
Hi Sarah,
This sounds more hopeful than you seemed to be expecting. Has your mum been given a grade for her cancer? I am so glad to hear that it is slow growing and, that her surgeon seemed willing to carry out surgery, despite her age.
It is also good news that her heart can stand up to surgery and that her surgeon is willing to stick his neck out on her behalf if he needs to. I am sure that surgery will be a challenge for your mum, but it is amazing how much better both of you will feel once you have a pathway to follow. it is never easy when you are trying to deal with so many unknowns.
Please let us know how you get on when you have spoken to the surgeons. we are always here for you both.
Kind regards,
Jolamine xx
Mother diagnosed with lung cancer WATCH & WAIT
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