Interview LC08

Age at interview: 69

Age at diagnosis: 66

Brief Outline: Diagnosed with lung cancer in 1999, left pneumonectomy (left lung removed) 1999.

Background: Business man (retired), married, 2 children.

Describes having a hard tube passed down his windpipe for his second bronchoscopy.

In August 99 they found that the temperature was quite high and it's not going for the last two or three months so they booked me into the hospital and did the bronchoscopy. The day before the bronchoscopy in the evening, after 10 o clock, I was not allowed to eat or drink anything.  In the morning they took me to the department and I was sitting on the chair. They put a tube in my throat and tried something but I was uncomfortable so they removed it out and gave me anaesthetic, local anaesthetic and then they did it and I was quite alright.  

But the results were not all that promising and they couldn't find anything so I was sent home. The fever didn't go. After a week, again I was admitted into hospital and this time the bronchoscopy was quite tough, they did tell me in advance that they were going to put a very hard tube, not like before, so they gave me local anaesthesia and took me to the theatre. Again they give little anaesthesia in the throat and put the hard tube, it was a bit painful but may be because of anaesthesia I didn't feel much. They did everything, this took about half an hour, and within another half an hour of rest I was taken back to the bed, but after two hours I started feeling a little bit of pain but that also they gave me some pain killers and it went off. But the results were very good, and in the evening I was told that we will get the full results two days later. After two days I was told that I had lung cancer and they'll call the specialist and senior doctors to come and see me again. 

Remembers what he was asked to take into hospital and describes his pneumonectomy.

Now the day before when I went, actually I had a letter from the hospital with a list of things to take. They were very minor things like toothbrush, toothpaste, pyjamas, towel and again they said, "Even if you can't, the hospital will provide that." They only suggested that because they are more personal and it is better to have our own things with us. But there's not, it was not a big fuss as such and the staff is always helpful, they even brought me the pyjamas and I said, "No I have my own," and so they were happy. So there was nothing much to worry about, they took full care of me, they saw that I don't eat anything after 7 o clock, which I normally don't eat at all. And so in the morning they came, they again checked my blood, took to the theatre and what happened in the theatre of course I don't know because I was given the injection before I went to the theatre and even reaching the theatre they gave me another anaesthetic injection which kept me lying down for almost 12 hours. And when I opened my eyes after 12 or 13 hours I saw my wife with my son and they were all happy, they were all smiling like me, and here I am as I said quite happy.

And they had removed your left lung?

They removed my left lung completely which I was told two days after the operation by the same professor. He came and said "Sorry I have removed your complete lung because I did not want to take chance that it may occur again. But be sure after some time it will feel as if nothing has happened," and he was quite right. Even with the one lung I am moving about, I am doing all my natural things, daily things and nothing much to worry.

Explains his habitual special diet and says he was allowed to keep food in the fridge while in...

When you're in hospital do you need any special diet or anything like that?

Yes I'm a pure vegetarian, no eggs, no fish, no meat so they do give the special diet in the hospital. Although it is not to our standard because they may not have the good stuff in that particular section, otherwise there's not a problem. Because we live on a very, very simple diet and so normally for me my wife used to bring everything from home. I was even given special permission so that she can keep things in the fridge, she can make tea, coffee, anything what I need, just like my home.

Gives useful tips to help with breathing and demonstrates breathing exercises.

Could you say a little bit about your breathing exercises please?

Now breathing exercises I do it mainly in the morning and before going to bed but even in between during the day time if I am sitting I do breathing exercises, breathe very heavily, hold it, then out again, hold it, then in again, like that. I used to do it many times a day and that helps me in my breathing.

Would you like to show us how you do one? [He demonstrates]. Thank you, so you breathe in very deeply and then breathe out?

Yes.

That's very helpful.

And especially when I have a little problem of dizziness or something like that, I simply sit down and start the same thing and within two minutes I'm quite alright again.

And to help with your breathing?

Yes, I've got to be a bit careful to keep this little place very clean, not to have the dust because I am allergic to certain things, mainly the house dust, the smoke etc. So I do take full care of these things and that helps me.

And do you have to bend in a particular way or do anything else different?

Yes, bending is a big problem for me. I have to be very careful. If I have to pick up something from the ground I must bend my knees like I am sitting and then pick it up. If by mistake I start picking up straight away then I'll have a breathing problem and I have to sit down and take care of myself. So it is a little bit of thing but I think that is because of the age also, it hasn't got much to do with the lung but in general one has to take care of all these things.

That's very helpful so you take care bending carefully?

Yes

Walking slowly?

Walking slowly, and do as much as possible and even sometimes to speak in a long way, let me say how.  Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm, Ooooooooooooooooo, things like this help to maintain and have good breathing most of the time.

Says "don't be afraid of cancer" and a positive attitude helps.

I think I have mentioned everything and the only thing I would say is if you hear about cancer or lung cancer should never get worried. You have to be strong, if you are strong, if you help yourself God helps you and you can be cured. I am the perfect example you can see. Even at the age of 70 I still run about. Being a sportsman; and food which is very, very important, you can maintain your health, nothing to worry about cancer.

Now regarding the message to other people, and especially the Asian elderly people, please be positive, cancer is nothing but a simple disease like fever or anything else. If you treat it that way, have the courage, you'll help yourself and that is what I will tell anybody or everybody that please, please don't be afraid of cancer, or lung cancer. Even after removal of the lung you will feel fit, happy and courageous.