Lung Cancer
Messages to others with lung cancer
the people we interviewed offered many different types of advice, based on their experiences. People are all different and what works for one person may not work for someone else. Here are their suggestions:
- Have courage, be positive, don't worry and don't be afraid of cancer
Says "don't be afraid of cancer" and a positive attitude helps.
Says "don't be afraid of cancer" and a positive attitude helps.
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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.
- Cancer can be fought, a positive attitude makes a big difference
Advises others to stay strong and have a positive attitude.
Advises others to stay strong and have a positive attitude.
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- Even in the blackest bits there are positive aspects
- Don't think the worst and be positive for your family's sake
Says it does not help to be frightened and it is important to have a positive attitude.
Says it does not help to be frightened and it is important to have a positive attitude.
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Well I mean don't think the worst, I mean some people think cancer is such a frightening word they think when you've got cancer you're going to die and that doesn't necessarily follow because they've got so many new treatments now that they can get rid of cancers or alleviate the symptoms, and I don't think it helps if you're frightened. It doesn't help to be frightened and it doesn't help your family. I think you've got to be positive for your family's sake.
- Cry your tears but be brave and don't give up hope
- Cancer doesn't always mean death
- Cancer can be beaten
- Look for inspiration in the stories of others
- Treatment isn't as bad as you think it will be
- Ask questions and find the best treatment
Tells others to look for the best treatment, to ask questions, and to search for information.
Tells others to look for the best treatment, to ask questions, and to search for information.
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Yes one, one person in a meeting said, 'Don't get sad, get mad'. So if there's anything that you need to know there are lots of really good books out there. Don't be frightened to ask questions, and just make sure that you get the best treatment, because I think anybody with lung cancer needs the best treatment, they deserve it.
And is there anything else you'd like to add?
I'd like to say that we need more government funding, we need more nurse cancer specialists, and we need more surgeons for this disease because there's not enough, considering 40,000 people are dying every year we just haven't got enough nurses or surgeons to cover.
- Believe in the treatment you are given
- Trust your specialist
- Look for information
- Search the Internet
- Find out about clinical trials
- Talk to someone who has had cancer
Says it is important to join a support group and to talk to others who have had lung cancer.
Says it is important to join a support group and to talk to others who have had lung cancer.
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Whatever you do don't get into the depression. And the main thing is seek out a support group. You've got get in touch with a support group, and think positive about it. Get in touch with other people who've got cancer and talk to them, go and talk to them. Especially if you can get somebody that's in the same frame of mind as yourself, who thinks like you. Sometimes you can talk to a person and they want to keep on about their illness all the time, they want to tell you, how can I explain it, I've met with some people and all they want to do is talk about their illness, but you want somebody to talk about your illness as well. You want to be able to talk [to someone].
To listen...
Who wants to listen to you talk to them. And as I say if you are diagnosed with cancer go and get in touch with a support group and try and get in touch with a support group nurse, if you can because if they're half as good as what ours is you'll have no worries at all, she's very, very, good, she's very good.
- Find a support group
- Don't get depressed
- Don't make your family feel miserable if you are feeling depressed
- Accept support when it is offered
- Allow yourself to rest
- After treatment start with small tasks and gradually do more each day
- Keep busy and occupy your mind
Suggests that patients keep their minds occupied on other things during treatment for lung cancer.
Suggests that patients keep their minds occupied on other things during treatment for lung cancer.
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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.
- Make the most of time you have left
- Have a purpose in life
- Live life to the full
- Return to normal life as soon as possible
- Make targets and goals
- Write about your feelings and keep a sense of humour
Suggests that people write down their feelings and that this will help them feel better.
Suggests that people write down their feelings and that this will help them feel better.
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That's a useful message.
And I've, to be honest with you I've written about twenty poems about cancer and one or two of them are bordering on semi serious but the most of them are just really taking the mick to be honest.
David Perry reads one of his poems.
David Perry reads one of his poems.
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Yes, I don't know if it's my favourite actually it was the first one I wrote and the reason I wrote it is because as I've said to you before the doctors had said that I might not be here for Christmas and I said I would, and not only that I would but that I was going to get wrecked, I was going to have a really good drink. So this poem is called, 'I'll have a drink at Christmas' and it was obviously written before the Christmas period because I knew what was going to happen to me up to Christmas so here goes'
I have a small cell cancer, I call it 'Canc' for short,
Oh! By the way at Christmas, I'll have a drop of Port.
The cancer's quite a nasty thing, though I swear I feel just dandy,
And anyhow at Christmas, I'll have a tot or two of Brandy.
The nurses are all working hard, manning Cancer Watch.
Ere I'll tell you what at Christmas I could have a drop of Scotch.
When I go to hospital, they drip the chemo in,
They'd never guess at Christmas, that I'll have a slug of Gin.
"Excuse me nurse", I'm heard to say, are those tablets mine?
Oh! Never mind at Christmas I'll enjoy a glass of Wine.
I had an off day yesterday, was feeling rather queer,
But I'll cheer up for Christmas, 'cos then I'll have a Beer.
My friends say I'm a thinker but I think this poem proves,
I'm really just a drinker, thinking out the drinking moves!
The chemo's started working, the Cancer's growth is slow,
Hang on! It's now reversing, well done to that chemo!
It's shrinking down, it's now so small, it's really made me think,
That perhaps this year at Christmas I'll deserve a bloody drink!
You see old 'canc' you've had your chips, your reign is at an end
And I can see the winning post it's just around the bend!
Your light of life is failing, it's really lost its glow,
So I'll have me another drink, 'I've beat you, don't you know'.
Thank you.
Thank you
- If you haven't started smoking don't start
- If you do smoke do your best to stop or control how much you smoke
Last reviewed May 2016.
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