MsGebby- Pulmonary doctor appt?

rallendorfer said:

So sorry there wasn't some better answer for you.
There seem to be a lot of doctors looking at the tests, though. Everyone of them looks at it from his/her own expertise. I hope they can come to a common consensus. I know this must me nerve wracking for you, but it is coming along. Hang in there sister!

Sending peace,
Rebecca

Mary I am sorry that you still do not have an answer

Hugs

SIROD said:

Sometimes They Don't Work
When I said to the RO "Arimidex should be working since I've been on it for 6 months" he simply said "sometimes the drugs don't work". EEEEEEK

I started Tamoxifen as soon as chemotherapy was over in March, 1995. I remained on it until March 1999 when a good size tumor was found wrapped around the auxiliary vein in the armpit. For four years, I believed that Tamo was working while it wasn't as the tumor kept growing. If I didn't have a ct scan for another reason in April 2011, I would never had known that Femara was not working at that point.

Don't be lulled by the fact that you are taking Arimidex. Go for the MRI, not knowing is worse than knowing. You can deal with it, the same way you dealt with learning of your breast cancer. It could very well be some other hip problem. Cancer isn't the only one that has pain in the hip for a symptom.

Why are they making you wait until November for a ct scan of growing nodule? It seems to me that you have been playing the "waiting game" with these doctors ever so long. The next one you see, tell them you are not leaving their office until you know exactly what those nodules are. Perhaps a fine needle biopsy could be done in their office that day.

I really feel sorry for what you have been through, it's not right to make someone wait and wait and wait and never have an answer to what exactly are those lung nodules? Inflammation, cancer what, they are doctors they are suppose to give you an answer.

I don't mean to upset you Mary, I just believe that you should have had an answer by now.

Wishing the best outcome for you and an answer very, very soon.

Doris

I get it Doris
I know that not all drugs work for everyone. The RO doc did say that to me. As for the hip pain, I will be calling my MO tomorrow and see if I can talk to her for a bit. I really don't think it's cancer but she wants to know what IT IS. Not knowing is truly the hardest part. But, for me, every time I see a doctor, that doctor finds something new. I am tired of of THAT.

As for the nodules ... when I saw the TS in August, I had just been released from the hospital for breathing problems. He paid no mind to the xray. I got the feeling that xrays don't give a clear enough picture of what is in the chest (??) Anyway, I was on antibiotics and steroids at the time. I know that's the first defense in trying to figure out what is living in the lungs. Now that I know the nodules did not respond to this treatment, I have to wonder what the TS will be saying in November. My RO did say he wanted to touch base with the TS before the next scan. He tells me he knows the TS personally. I will be calling the RO tomorrow as well.

I am getting pain in chest and in my back. I don't say anything to the docs because everyone seems very laid back about these nodules. SO I am trying to just breath and believe they are something other than cancer. Although, in my heart, I know something is wrong. Having a new nodule that is over 1 cm is nerve wracking. Having a nodule grow from 7mm to over 1 cm in 2 months is even more nerve wracking. Should I be feeling sick? I don't know. The cough is under control now. That's a good thing.

time for me to go ...

xoxo

MsGebby said:

I get it Doris
I know that not all drugs work for everyone. The RO doc did say that to me. As for the hip pain, I will be calling my MO tomorrow and see if I can talk to her for a bit. I really don't think it's cancer but she wants to know what IT IS. Not knowing is truly the hardest part. But, for me, every time I see a doctor, that doctor finds something new. I am tired of of THAT.

As for the nodules ... when I saw the TS in August, I had just been released from the hospital for breathing problems. He paid no mind to the xray. I got the feeling that xrays don't give a clear enough picture of what is in the chest (??) Anyway, I was on antibiotics and steroids at the time. I know that's the first defense in trying to figure out what is living in the lungs. Now that I know the nodules did not respond to this treatment, I have to wonder what the TS will be saying in November. My RO did say he wanted to touch base with the TS before the next scan. He tells me he knows the TS personally. I will be calling the RO tomorrow as well.

I am getting pain in chest and in my back. I don't say anything to the docs because everyone seems very laid back about these nodules. SO I am trying to just breath and believe they are something other than cancer. Although, in my heart, I know something is wrong. Having a new nodule that is over 1 cm is nerve wracking. Having a nodule grow from 7mm to over 1 cm in 2 months is even more nerve wracking. Should I be feeling sick? I don't know. The cough is under control now. That's a good thing.

time for me to go ...

xoxo

Yes, It is, Time For You To Go....
Dear Mary,

I am glad that you are calling about your hip tomorrow. There are many things that causes pain in hips other than cancer.

Your right about every time you see a doctor they find another reason to make you worry. I always have stated if you want to be well, stay far, far away from doctors The more doctors involved the more confusing it becomes. At one point I had 7 doctors who knew that I had frequent bouts of cellulitis. Had I hired a plumber he would have told me something was blocked. Finally the tumor sucked in two nerves and I had my answer. A ct scan found the tumor that caused 3 bouts of cellulitis.

There is no pain with lung metastasis unless a tumor is pressing on something else such as a nerve. Symptoms are usually a dry cough and shortness of breath. I had two negative x-rays the year before I had the recurrence. Two tests that showed I did have shortness of breath but it wasn't in the danger zone. I saw my Primary Care Doctor's PA in early 2008 and she ordered the ct scan, a visit to the pulmonary doctor and a lot of other things. However, I was in the middle of an acute strep infection of the tear duct which led to having a new tear duct put in. I promised that I would have the scan when the present situation was over and that is when they found the cancer widespread in both lungs, lining and a effusion in the pleura. My cancer is slow growing. I don't have a lot of faith in x-rays for that reason, it should have showed something or was the radiologist having a busy day and missed.

I certainly would mention the pain in the back to your RO. I knew the ribs were involved long before a ct scan mentioned them. In fact the first time they returned, it wasn't mentioned until the 2nd scan which made my oncologist a little angry. The statement was "it is no worse than the previous scan" which didn't mention the ribs at all.

Please keep us informed, we do really care about you.

Best,

Doris

jamiegww said:

I'm afraid I have to agree with Doris.
I have been trying to keep my mouth shut because we are all different but I have been very confused about why they haven't at least done a lung biopsy. I had a CT scan in April which showed a nodule in my right lung that measured 7mm. I was told they would repeat the scan in three months. In June the lung nodule had increased to 13mm so a PET scan was ordered and a lung biopsy confirmed it was the same triple negative breast cancer I had back in 2009. Maybe they were more aggressive with diagnosing me because the PET scan showed several other areas of possible cancer? I do know that the lump above my original mastectomy site used to bother me and also caused my arm to ache but since starting chemo again, the lump has shrunk and the pain in my arm is gone. Chemo hasn't been easy this time around but I have evidence even without scans that it is working. Unfortunately I can't see what is going on with my lung so that is my point to you. I don't want to scare you because I know how scarey it can be, but I just don't understand why they aren't more concerned about the lung nodules. In all honesty, I haven't ever seen a pulmonary specialist so maybe that's the difference??? We all just want you to be okay!

HUGS!!!
Jamie

Oh Jamie
Bless your heart!! It's ok to speak your mind. I get frustrated when I feel one of my sisters is having a difficult time and I keep quiet so as not to make her upset. I am sorry that you and possibly others have felt this kind of frustration over my care.

The TS said "I'm not concerned at this time". I believe he was thinking that the xray was showing an infection of sort. He knew I was being treated with antibiotics and steroids. He did say that I need to be followed closely because of my cancer diagnosis. This doctor, along with the others, have said that they don't know if this is mets or not. They all have told me how risky lung surgery is and are "hoping" to avoid putting me through it.

I am at a point where I don't care about the risk of surgery. I just want to know once and for all so I can move ... just move. I feel like my feet are planted in cement and I am stuck!

I will call both the RO and MO tomorrow. I want to ask the MO about this MRI she is recommending.

I have had some uncaring doctors (at least that's how I felt with them) in the past. So I fired them and have surrounded myself with some wonderful docs. Now I feel like pushing them away any time they start getting too close. I don't know why I do this. I really don't. I want answers and they want some answers too. So the phone calls tomorrow and most likely some more tests down the road.

I hate this! I hate cancer! I sometimes hate life. *sigh*

SIROD said:

Yes, It is, Time For You To Go....
Dear Mary,

I am glad that you are calling about your hip tomorrow. There are many things that causes pain in hips other than cancer.

Your right about every time you see a doctor they find another reason to make you worry. I always have stated if you want to be well, stay far, far away from doctors The more doctors involved the more confusing it becomes. At one point I had 7 doctors who knew that I had frequent bouts of cellulitis. Had I hired a plumber he would have told me something was blocked. Finally the tumor sucked in two nerves and I had my answer. A ct scan found the tumor that caused 3 bouts of cellulitis.

There is no pain with lung metastasis unless a tumor is pressing on something else such as a nerve. Symptoms are usually a dry cough and shortness of breath. I had two negative x-rays the year before I had the recurrence. Two tests that showed I did have shortness of breath but it wasn't in the danger zone. I saw my Primary Care Doctor's PA in early 2008 and she ordered the ct scan, a visit to the pulmonary doctor and a lot of other things. However, I was in the middle of an acute strep infection of the tear duct which led to having a new tear duct put in. I promised that I would have the scan when the present situation was over and that is when they found the cancer widespread in both lungs, lining and a effusion in the pleura. My cancer is slow growing. I don't have a lot of faith in x-rays for that reason, it should have showed something or was the radiologist having a busy day and missed.

I certainly would mention the pain in the back to your RO. I knew the ribs were involved long before a ct scan mentioned them. In fact the first time they returned, it wasn't mentioned until the 2nd scan which made my oncologist a little angry. The statement was "it is no worse than the previous scan" which didn't mention the ribs at all.

Please keep us informed, we do really care about you.

Best,

Doris

Mary, did you call or go see
Mary, did you call or go see your doctor? What did he say?


Hugs, Leeza

jnl said:

Mary, did you call or go see
Mary, did you call or go see your doctor? What did he say?


Hugs, Leeza

Hi Leeza
No ... I haven't called anyone. I do have an appointment with my orthopedic doc coming up October 11. I am sure I can wait this amount of time. The pain comes and goes. I am feeling some in my left hip now. I honestly don't think it's mets. So I am taking the high road and will see what this doctor thinks is going on.

In the meantime, I am spending some much needed time with my youngest daughter. We've been off and running for 4 days now and it is just so much fun.

My dad turns 80 tomorrow, so my daughter and I spent ALL day cooking and baking for him. the family is throwing a huge party for Pop Pop. We are planning on a trip to a farm for apple and pumpkin picking next week.

I had to take her to a walk in clinic today ... she developed a red rash-like mark next to her eye that seemed to spread over night. She was told she has poison ivy. YUCK! So that might slow us down a bit. She has more on her back and arms too. Gotta keep an eye on this. Other than that, we are having "mom daughter time" and I couldn't be happier.

When she returns to work, I will find time to decide if I want to deal with this hip pain before the orthopedic visit. I just don't want to worry about it. It's probably nothing. Can you say "Mary doesn't want to deal with this stuff anymore". Cuz that's exactly where my state of mind is at.

I still have to deal with the lung nodules and that oh so important next ct scan is right after Thanksgiving.

Thank you so much for taking the time to check in with me.

NOW it's my turn...How are you doing? I haven't seen you on the site for a while (might be cuz I'm not on the site that much lately)

Peace Love and Chocolate!

Mary

MsGebby said:

Hi Leeza
No ... I haven't called anyone. I do have an appointment with my orthopedic doc coming up October 11. I am sure I can wait this amount of time. The pain comes and goes. I am feeling some in my left hip now. I honestly don't think it's mets. So I am taking the high road and will see what this doctor thinks is going on.

In the meantime, I am spending some much needed time with my youngest daughter. We've been off and running for 4 days now and it is just so much fun.

My dad turns 80 tomorrow, so my daughter and I spent ALL day cooking and baking for him. the family is throwing a huge party for Pop Pop. We are planning on a trip to a farm for apple and pumpkin picking next week.

I had to take her to a walk in clinic today ... she developed a red rash-like mark next to her eye that seemed to spread over night. She was told she has poison ivy. YUCK! So that might slow us down a bit. She has more on her back and arms too. Gotta keep an eye on this. Other than that, we are having "mom daughter time" and I couldn't be happier.

When she returns to work, I will find time to decide if I want to deal with this hip pain before the orthopedic visit. I just don't want to worry about it. It's probably nothing. Can you say "Mary doesn't want to deal with this stuff anymore". Cuz that's exactly where my state of mind is at.

I still have to deal with the lung nodules and that oh so important next ct scan is right after Thanksgiving.

Thank you so much for taking the time to check in with me.

NOW it's my turn...How are you doing? I haven't seen you on the site for a while (might be cuz I'm not on the site that much lately)

Peace Love and Chocolate!

Mary

What a great time you're
What a great time you're having with your daughter Mary. I am sorry she got poison ivy. yuck is right!

Lots of hugs,

Kylez