Interview LC21

Age at interview: 79

Age at diagnosis: 76

Brief Outline: Diagnosed with lung cancer in 2000, followed by the removal of part of lower lobe of the right lung (wedge resection).

Background: Personnel executive (retired), married, 1 child.

Describes his bronchoscopy via the throat, which did not hurt.

So you had three bronchoscopies and they didn't know what it was?

Yes the bronchoscopies were very easy, very well done indeed by the doctor and his assistants. There was no pain attached, just a slight discomfort when they asked you to take some fluid to drink. You did not feel it going down at all and the end of the result was; they gave you [a sedative], just a, not even to put you to sleep really, just to quieten you, while they carried out the bronchoscopy. And from that, they were able to discover what it was.

Did they put the tube up your nose for the bronchoscopy to have a look?

No they put it down my throat which I assume was a small camera. But nothing went up my nose at all. And I just, as I say I had no idea what a bronchoscopy was and just as I say I was not put to sleep, I was just in a semi dazed sort of condition.  I felt no discomfort at all with the camera going down into my tummy, down my throat, and I was very disappointed with the end results.

It went into your lungs I guess, the camera?

Yes, yes as far down as they could get it and after three bronchoscopies then they could not decide what the thing was.  In the finish the specialist decided that he would have to operate to remove what was obviously a growth.  

He has been advised to give up smoking to help improve his breathing.

So could you tell me a bit about your feelings of breathlessness after the operation and what happens now?

Yes after the operation I had, although I felt a bit breathless I did not think much of it but my doctor decided that I should have some help because of the slight heart murmur. And she advised me to have Combivent which I use three times a day, two puffs each time. That opens the lungs and allows me to breathe easier, and I use the Beclazone [beclometasone] to stop any inflammation of the lungs or other side effects and that's all I take.

Did you get any other advice about how to help feelings of breathlessness?

No apart from (laughs) I've been told not to smoke (laughs) which I must admit I'm very, I'm guilty of to the extent of having two miniature cigars per day. And that, I smoke those two puffs at a time throughout the day and I say I have no more than two and a half miniature cigars a day. I like it, I have to make decisions and I need something to make me feel quiet and able to make those decisions so I'll compromise and say that I smoke no more than that.  

Suggests that patients keep their minds occupied on other things during treatment for lung cancer.

Is there anything else you want to tell people who've just been diagnosed with a lung problem like you have?

I'd say just keep yourself busy in any way at all. You know to keep your mind off it; you have to accept that you're going for x-rays, you're going for a blood test, you're going for a bronchoscopy, you're going for various other things. Treat them as they come along but for goodness sake have something to occupy your mind. I'm very lucky, I spent the last fifty five years of my life studying the stock market and handling matters at work, money matters at work and so I'm lucky in that respect that I've got things to occupy my mind. And I'd say to people yes for goodness sake do anything, crossword puzzles, watch television, do anything to keep your mind occupied.