"Confused and shocked."

I have lung cancer and copd, both are in my right lung. I cannot fault the oncology team at Larbert they have been brilliant since l was diagnosed.

Earlier in August l started to feel a tightness in the middle of my chest, l phoned my gp thinking l might need steroids. To cut a long story short my gp sent me to clinical assessment unit at Larbert, after bloods and the usual checks were taking l was examined by a junior doctor, after a while l was put in a cubicle and then taking for an xray. A doctor gave me my results of that xray, my lung had collapsed. Fair enough my lung had collapsed last year and l got treatment for that. I asked what treatment was available to be told none, it was more or less not worth bothering about. I was also told my cancer had progressed since my last scan, by which this doctor was going on as they didn't have time to look at my notes. The doctor also said that in their experience lung cancer patients don't normally last five years. You can imagine my shock, l asked why l wasn't told that before but the doctor couldn't comment, l also asked if l could get steroids to help, to be told no, they wouldn't help. I looked at my husband and could see he was trying to hold back tears, l asked the doctor again that something could be done. The doctor was just passing me onto oncology and didn't ask if l had any pain relief but did change their mind about steroids, which l take two a day, usually its eight.

I came away from there in total shock thinking that's me l'm going to die, l couldn't cry, l was so confused, all weekend l couldn't eat all l did was sleep.

Since being diagnosed with cancer l have been very positive, made myself goals reached the goals and made new ones but this doctor took all that away from me in five minutes.

I go to Strathcarron Hospice on a Monday for daycare, it was here l spoke to a nurse and explained what had happened, they have all my notes, she put me at ease, looked at my xray and told me what l knew that my lung had collapsed, but that didn't mean there was no treatment for me and to wait and see my oncologist.

I visited my oncologist last Thursday and they said the same, not to worry, they are given me a ct scan and if l need more treatment for cancer then I' ll get it as there is plenty they can do for me.

I can also go on holiday in four weeks time another thing that doctor said l couldn't do, it involves flying, another of my goals.

I cannot thank the oncologist team on a Thursday enough but hope l never encounter that Dr again.