Hi josh incurable isn't the same as terminal, it can be treated just can't be cured,. One example is me, i was diagnosed Feb 2016, prostate cancer that's gone to lymph nodes, spine, ribs, pelvis and a lung stage 4 gleason 8 as i said I've had treatment and i have to live with my uninvited guest every now and again I'll have more treatment, I've been living a normal life including work had to retire last Xmas at 67 years old to look after my disabled wife she needs 24/7care, hope this helps... Billy 

Hi Josh, Billy is right, incurable is treatable but the cancer will never be cured.  My husband has stage 4 lung cancer and we're coming up to our third year since diagnosis.  Your Mum and Dad will come to terms with this, it takes time and many of us were at retirement age when the bombshell hit us.  But you adapt, take each day as it comes and don't look too far ahead, live in the moment.  Obviously our daughters were very upset but they have seen how far we have come and have been supportive and loving, however we don't want to spoil their lives so we let them ring us, unless we feel they need to know something we keep our cheery front, being miserable gets none of us anywhere.  So take a deep breath, do what you can but making yourself ill over this will help any of you.  Billy and I are on this forum each day as we both have threads to follow, so post again.if you need more help.  Good luck Josh, Carol x

Thank you both so much for replying, your words have really helped me and it's really encouraging to hear your situations.

we get a fuller diagnosis in the next few days so I hope this will come back with a more positive outlook, but I'm preparing myself for the worst (as is probably natural)