After months of going back and forth to her GP with a persistent cough, Lucy decided enough was enough and took matters into her own hands… even if it meant going to A&E on a Friday night.
“Lung cancer was in my head. You see the awareness campaigns – “If you’ve had a cough for more than three weeks…”
I’d had a cough for nearly four months so was clearly concerned. My GP, on the other hand, wasn’t. She said “There is no suggestion of lung cancer whatsoever.”
But the symptoms continued and I was feeling worse and worse. I just thought I needed to do something. Nobody in their right mind goes to A&E on a Friday night unless they really have to! But I did and that was the beginning of it – I was diagnosed on the 20th February 2018.
“I try not to think about what might happen tomorrow.”
Lucy was diagnosed with incurable lung cancer aged 39
My lung cancer diagnosis has affected everybody.
My husband has had his world has been turned upside down. My mum’s given up her wonderful retirement with her new husband to spend half of her week at my house because I haven’t really been well enough to look after my children myself.
And, of course, it has affected my two children.
My youngest goes along the lines of “It’s not happening today so we’ll carry on as normal”. But my oldest, she’s 12 and it’s hit her really hard.
But despite it all, it hasn’t stopped me being their mum. It hasn’t stopped life going on.
I just think I’m ok today, so let’s get on with today and do today as good as we can. I try not to think about what might happen tomorrow.
I sit in the garden with the washing hanging out. They’re playing out there and you think the world’s still turning. Jobs still need doing and I’m still mum.”
