Bronchoalveolar Cancer

dfs13

I have had pulmonary hypertension for 4 years, as well as a scar on my lung from Valley Fever about 6 years ago.  I also have a pacemaker.  I recently had horrible chest pain and was diagnosed with pneumonia (about a month after a bout with the flu).  They did a CAT scan and discovered a shadow  in LUL that had been there for 6 years that I didn't know about and is growing.  The radiologist thinks it may be bronchoalveolar carcinoma.  i had to wait 5 weeks, then have another CT.  The shadow is still there (I am a former nurse, so now I look at all the pictures and reports!) and I see another shadow lower in the LUL.  I have to wait two more weeks before my appointment with my pulmonologist.  I think he wants to do a brochoscopy.  Hey guys, just so you know it, even nurses get scared!  My sister is going through chemo for peritoneal cancer now, and my cousin died of lung cancer 2 years ago.  What can I expect?  Is a bronchoscopy painful?  Is FNA better for diagnosis?  I know I need to ask my doctor these things.. but I won't see him for 2 weeks.

dennycee

The decision to do the fna or

The decision to do the fna or the bronchoscopy depends on location.   I didn't have the bronchoscopy but most people complain about hoarseness. Have you had the PET or bone scans yet?

dfs13

dennycee said:

The decision to do the fna or

The decision to do the fna or the bronchoscopy depends on location.   I didn't have the bronchoscopy but most people complain about hoarseness. Have you had the PET or bone scans yet?

I had a bone scan years ago

I had a bone scan years ago for something else.. can't remember what.  I don't think I can have a PET because I have a pacemaker.  The doc said he thinks he can reach the spot with a bronchoscopy but I'm thinking the FNA would be less stressful.  I'm really in a dither about this.  How do you cope?

dennycee

dfs13 said:

I had a bone scan years ago

I had a bone scan years ago for something else.. can't remember what.  I don't think I can have a PET because I have a pacemaker.  The doc said he thinks he can reach the spot with a bronchoscopy but I'm thinking the FNA would be less stressful.  I'm really in a dither about this.  How do you cope?

My biopsy was done when I was

My biopsy was done when I was admitted to the hospital for shortness of breath and a horrible cough.  The did two FNAs.  I was terrified because my moms lung collapsed when she had hers and she spent two weeks with a hard plastic vaccuum pump in her side and lots of pain.  

Coping happened with the help of Ativan then Paxil.  The best I can tell you about moving forward was that I did what I had to do to survive.  Not taking each step never seemed like an option.  It worked because I have been here almost 30 months since dx and it was predicted I might stick around for 10-15 with treatment.  I am still going strong and enjoy a good quality of life. 

Looking forward to hearing more from you! 

dfs13

dennycee said:

My biopsy was done when I was

My biopsy was done when I was admitted to the hospital for shortness of breath and a horrible cough.  The did two FNAs.  I was terrified because my moms lung collapsed when she had hers and she spent two weeks with a hard plastic vaccuum pump in her side and lots of pain.  

Coping happened with the help of Ativan then Paxil.  The best I can tell you about moving forward was that I did what I had to do to survive.  Not taking each step never seemed like an option.  It worked because I have been here almost 30 months since dx and it was predicted I might stick around for 10-15 with treatment.  I am still going strong and enjoy a good quality of life. 

Looking forward to hearing more from you! 

Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord that  you are still here and doing fine!! What a blessing!  Just keep on keepin on!

I'll write again after I see the doctor on the 8th.  Then I will know more.  My pulm hypertension doc says definitely a biopsy, but we'll see what and when my regular pulm doc says we'll do something.  The sooner the better for me.