What is your cancer diagnosis?

Hi

I know how you feel. I was diagnosed in 2010 with self and told I had 4 months to 3 years but I am still here after 8 years.

You have to stay positive and be patient with your husband 

Dustylady

Hi Sally

Sorry to hear about your other half, you will both experience many emotions right now, shock, anger, fear even grief. The good news sounds like it's contained so easier to treat and that is the important thing to hold onto , it can be treated!

The treatment can be rubbish and I'm sure there will be days in the next few months when your partner feels rubbish, never be afraid to ask questions of his medical team.

Stay strong, stay positive and keep battling and together you'll get through it.

@sallygood Hi Sally,

It is important to understand that cancer is not a death sentence today that it once was and your husband has got an early diagnoses. The hospital will be assembling a team together from many areas of expertise and normally one person that you can talk directly on your concerns. A rare cancer which you have been informed has not spread so real hope of a good outcome. Lots of tests now begin to identify exactly what, where and when then onto treatment phase. You no doubt want lots of information and questions answered, the internet has a wide range of sources. But the best source will be the spokesperson in your medical team.

You may need extra help, financial etc. or even just to talk to help with your fears. MacMillan have units in most cancer centres/Oncology in hospitals and provide a wide range of help. There are benefits that can be claimed, parking for the very regular visits to hospital can be costly etc. Heating can be an issue, even in summer a cancer patient can feel cold, extra costs that have to be considered. You are now the 'Rock' that your husband will need through to the coming months of treatment, shock, fear and depression is the real enemy. While clearly your husband is the one that is ill don't forget yourself, you are one of the most important part of the team looking after his disease and needs.

Best wishes

Rob

Hi Sally, 

I can only agree with the others here. I am sorry to hear about your husband. Buckle yourselves in for a bumpy ride. I have found that since my cancer came back life became a roller coaster. Don't forget to hug each other and tell each other that you love them. There will be times when you feel alone, like you want to scream, like nothing makes sense, as long as you hold onto each other you will do fine.

I will say a prayer for you both. Stay strong.

Shirley.

Hello everyone,

I hope that you're all keeping well and positive.

@Suncatcher2015  hi! My dad was a bricklayer all his life and was diagnosed with skin cancer this year. They removed a very large malignant tumour from his abdomen (always wears a vest so I hadn't seen it), he had a ct scan and it has spread to 3 of the 4 lymph nodes. We see the "cancer dr" tomorrow for more news, what's happening,  stage of cancer and any treatment plans. I'm really worried,  he's 76, has sleep apnoea and arthritis in spine. There's only me, him and my teen daughter, have a brother but not seen him since my mum's funeral 2008 when he tried to shake my dad down! Can't find anything useful on the internet about it, secondary lymphoma. I don't know what to ask tomorrow, trying to support him through this limbo time just as I've always done. We've told him we need him to fight, to stay as well as he can for as long as they can. He's seen his aunt have cancer and treatment made her hair fall out which he said he didn't want. We talked about it and how that works, he wasn't told much about anyone's health even in his 30's. 

Hi everyone. 

about 18 month ago i was told i have lung cancer stage 3. I'm was 42 years old  in may just gone. I have Bechets plus fibromyalgia and i was going to have treatment to try and help with me mouth and foo foo ulcers etc. So blood tests and chest x-ray i had to have before the treatment. So x-ray showed sumut in me lung had biopsy and came back that i have lung cancer. More tests show it spread to me chest. But cut long story short I'm not having any treatment its my time. So might have a year left give or take. Not sure if this will help anyone but thats my story and just being honest.

Hi @Jo1977‍ sorry to hear this but thank you for sharing your story. Personally I find sharing our stories helps both the person sharing and the people listening/reading. Can I ask why you're not on treatment? I know it's a personal experience and choices and you don't have to answer. 

My dad was diagnosed with skin cancer 3 months ago after a biopsy, had ct scan and showed it's spread into of 4 lymph nodes. He's 76 with sleep apnoea, arthritis and been a widower almost 11 years bless him. There's only him, me and my teenager. He's got appointment at 4 today with "cancer dr" to tell him what stage, prognosis and possible treatment plan. 

I'm scared and numb and I know he is but I don't know the best way to comfort him, I've always been his biggest fan and supporter, being in limbo I've nothing to be able to tell him to keep his spirits up 

There's still a feeling of "before cancer" and "after cancer" for me. I really had to mourn the person I used to be. But in so many ways I'm a better person, stronger, clearer in my thoughts and goals and more grateful for life. I miss some things about the old me, especially the carefree attitude I used to have when I didn't have to worry about my health. But for every loss, there's a gain.

Hi I'm not one for posting or even talking about my illness but have decided to tell you my story, my family & I went on holiday to Torquay at the end of Oct to celebrate my 60th we came home on the Friday to a msg saying my blood test for Cholesterol & thyroid problems was on Wed, went for them without a thought as it was regular thing but was surprised when nurse said "they would check for everything this time" my wife & I just looked at each other & shrugged, had no idea what she meant. my results usually take a week so when I got a phone call next day was surprised. I was told my PSA was 41 & needed to come in following morning for repeat bloods, when I asked what the PSA meant she said it was used to see if there was a problem with my prostrate but not to worry as often wrong & the second test is usually ok. so said ok & had second test but got a call from Drs receptionist to say the test was the same & I was being booked in for an MRI scan on the 5/11. obviously now worried asked why but was told she could not say so made an appointment to see the Dr, can I just I had no symptoms & felt normal, I put normal because I have ME, Hypothyroidism & Angina, the Dr said the second test had confirmed no infections, so I said so what does mean & all she said was so we need to investigate further, but now looking back she was hesitating with everything she said & was trying not to mention Cancer I also got a letter to say I was booked in for a Biopsy on the 12/11 & a full body bone scan on the 18/11 so I now worked out what was going on but also was panicking it had spread to my bones. so when I finally saw my consultant on the 27/11 we sort of new what was coming but when he told me I had Prostrate Cancer he also said same sentence "but its curable" I didn't react I just said as it spread, he looked at me strange & said no why. so I explained about bone scan & he didn't even know I'd had but did a quick check & no its fine but I want to, if possible stay & see the radiotherapy team today. which we did Started the tablets next day, had an injection on the 11/12, got to have another on the 11/3 then start Radiotherapy on 19/3 5 days then 2 rest for 4wks. I have since found out that the Cancer was starting to balloon(for want of better word) out on one part of prostrate apparently instead of growing inwards & pinching the urethra causing trouble when you go to toilet mine was growing outwards so no symptoms. I've still not got symptoms but hormones causing ME to worsen & will get worse with the Radiotherapy. As stated at start don't usually post but wanted people realise A) you not forced to have symptoms & B) how lucky I am That I went for the test & that the Dr's decided to check because I was 60, if not it would definitely have spread before I knew about it. I recently had the planning CT & MRI to plan my treatment & no one has said its spread out of prostrate so hoping that's a good sign. Can I finish by saying I hope everyone of us gets the all clear sooner than later