Newcomer

susie 3 years ago

4 replies

Hi I am Sue, 74 years young and have untreatable lung cancer. I was diagnosed 2 years ago. I don't seem to have any symptoms though my severe emphysema may be masking any. I live alone in a tiny apartment  (having had to give up my lovely big flat due to not managing stairs) I'd be lying if I said I'm not afraid for the future, not so much dying as living through the next stage of my life. I hope to find some useful/encouraging words here. 

Brigette 3 years ago

Hi Susie,

Welcome to our Community. I am just responding to say hello, and to let you know the Support Line is always here for you if you have questions or need a listening ear.

Hopefully other community members will stop by and say hello and please feel free to comment on existing posts. 

Would it be helpful to share with me a little about any fears or worries you have for the future?

Best Wishes

Brigette - Marie Curie Support Line Officer 

susie 3 years ago

Hi Brigitte, thank you. I found out by accident two years ago that I had lung cancer. Due to emphysema no treatment was possible so I am on palliative care. Except I haven't had any, or any follow up at all since diagnosis. I had to move to a tiny apartment where I live alone. I have a wonderful sister who does what she can but I spend long hours on my own. I haven't been outside these walls for weeks as the cold weather is too hard for me.  Any advice would be much appreciated.

joanne24 3 years ago

Hi Susie ,

Thank you for sharing with us how you are feeling. It is understandable that you might be feeling lonely and isolated at this time. You might want to consider one our services that we offer to people like yourself. This service is called" Check-in and Chat". The service we offer is free of charge and might be of benefit to you. It's a telephone service that provides ongoing emotional support with the same person each week, no matter where you live in the U.K.

You can access support sessions from a trained volunteer, who can provide a listening ear and a safe space to talk. The sessions are confidential and offer a non-judgmental space to discuss feelings and emotions that you may have   around your current  situation. I have included the link below for more information on how you can be referred.

 https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/check-in-and-chat

I hope you will find this information useful. If you want to speak with us in confidence on our Support Line, we are here for practical information and emotional support on Freephone 0800 090 2309 or by email support@mariecurie.org.uk

Best Wishes

Joanne -Support Line Officer

susie 3 years ago

Thank you Joanne, It's a comfort to know there is someone I can talk to when things get a bit much.