I've Been Quiet About My Lung Problems

cinnamonsmile

I had a terrible cough from January to late April. In Feb. I had that awful appenidix surgery disaster. NO ONE HAD TOLD ME THAT MY LEFT LUNG SHOWED ATELECTISIS (general term for multiple problems) I imagine it as a shadow spot that doesn't belong there. My doctor put me on antibiotics for 14 days. No relief, so she put me on 10 more days. When I finished I called the nurse to let the dr. know no relief. She told me to immediately go to the walk in department that there must be something seriously wrong.I argued that I don't get much from the walk in most of the time, but went anyway.

Yup, he didn't do anything for my lungs. Said there was nothing he could do but give me a referral to the pulmonologist and give me a brace for me knee (I tore lots of ligaments around walking in the muddy woods with  my dog and fell).

Saw the lung doctor. He had me get a CT scan. They made my appt. for the pulmonary tests so fast they didn't get the paperwork work to me in time to stop Singulair so it was delayed a week.

So, saw the lung dr. today. NOT GOOD, NOT BAD.

He said, yes I have asthma and the CT Scan should things the xray didn't. AND YES, THE CANCER WORD CAME UP. AND THE WORDS YOU NEED A LUNG BIOPSY AND TWO ENLARGED LYMPH NODES REMOVED.HE TOLD THE MEDICAL ASSISTANT HE WANTED IT ASAP.

I WAS DUMBFOUNDED. I JUST LOOKED AT HIM WITH MY MOUTH OPEN AND TEARS.

I have to say I like him. He told me that it is hard for him to come in the room with such bad news as well.And he is determined to find out what is wrong with my lungs. So many doctors have ignored different things with me and I kind don't expect much. But this dr. is great!! It is really comforting that he IS going to find out what is wrong with me.That I think is what is getting my through this. I find when I totally trust my doctor, it is very comforting and more easy to trust everything will be all right.

HE SAID THAT, OF COURSE, HE CAN'T CONFIRM IT IS CANCER UNTIL THE PATHOLOGY REPORT COMES BACK, BUT IT MAY BE SOME OTHER DISEASE.

DANG IT, ANOTHER SURGERY, AND TWO DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL.

So, I am a little worried about what is in my lung, is it cancer, what disease is it? I already have LE from BC surgery, will I get LE again?

I am not totally freaking out, but I cry here and there and I am terribly sad and a bit worried. I know from going thru breast cancer that it doesn't pay to totally freak out, have a break down, etc. But I do think I have the right to be devastated, blue, sad, and a little worried and scared.

So, for the first time, I am requesting the Pink Bus. I have gone through everything without it, but I think I could use the ladies and men partying on the bus. Can some of you join me on the bus on Thursday, July 25.2013? I want a loud, bus rocking, food festival, champagne (I have never had it). I want laughing, rowdiness, a loud fun time.

Also, for those of you that have had a lung biopsy with lung lymph nodes removed tell me what it is like? The more detailed the better.

Thank you for being here.

coco2008

Bless your heart.  I can

Bless your heart.  I can imagine how hard this is to take, and my heart goes out to you. 

Hold tight to the knowledge that you are finally being taken seriously and you have a doctor who will go to any length to help you. 

Trusting your doctor is comforting, but you are going through a tough thing (again). You are entitled to the occasional melt down and good cry.  It keeps the top of your head from blowing off. And remember we are here for you.

Can you clarify the date: Thursday is the 25 and Friday is the 26th.

I will be on the bus.  I will bring balloons and streamers, and a keyboard that I play so badly you can have a big laugh.

Know you are in my prayers and in my heart.  Love and hugs,

Sandy

cinnamonsmile

coco2008 said:

Bless your heart.  I can

Bless your heart.  I can imagine how hard this is to take, and my heart goes out to you. 

Hold tight to the knowledge that you are finally being taken seriously and you have a doctor who will go to any length to help you. 

Trusting your doctor is comforting, but you are going through a tough thing (again). You are entitled to the occasional melt down and good cry.  It keeps the top of your head from blowing off. And remember we are here for you.

Can you clarify the date: Thursday is the 25 and Friday is the 26th.

I will be on the bus.  I will bring balloons and streamers, and a keyboard that I play so badly you can have a big laugh.

Know you are in my prayers and in my heart.  Love and hugs,

Sandy

Sorry, it is Thursday July

Sorry, it is Thursday July 25th. That is the day I meet my thoracic surgeon and make the biopsy date.

SIROD

I understand,

Hi,

I had a VATS after a ct scan and PET scan stated that I had lots of masses including a pleural effusion.  My oncologist wanted me to have a biopsy as it had been 8 years since a recurrence and wanted to know what the tumors where.  Was it BC or lung and was I still ER+ if it was BC.

VATS stands for video assisted thoracoscopic surgery and it is usually an overnight stay in the hospital.  They went in with a small camera and then the surgeon made a cut and went in with small tools to remove a sampling of tumors.  No shortage of them either.  I went on a Thursday, came out of the hospital Friday, and was back to work on Tuesday.  Sunday and Monday were my days off at the time.

My oncologist did tell me that it could be something else.  Though I knew what it was.  My symptoms was a dry cough for over a year and a slight shortness of breath.  I thought it was from the new drug I just started for my uveitis.  Dry cough was a side effect.  I did have x-rays and did go where they tested my breathing.  Name illudes me now what it was called.  I did have shortness of breath but it wasn't low enough to warrant any investigating.  I question that now but it's over 6 years ago.

I don't know enough about LE to answer your question.  The VATS didn't cause me LE.  Mine came out of the blue after nearly 18 1/2 years after my first lymph node dissection, 4 bouts of cellulitis, a second lymph node dissection.  

I will go on the pink bus for you.  I think you should make a request seperate so it doesn't become lost in this one.  I am so sorry Cinnamonsmile for this to be happening to you.  Positive thoughts sent your way.  You have every right to be sad, upset, worried and cry now and then.

Best to you,

Doris

smalldoggroomer

I'm so sorry you have this to

I'm so sorry you have this to deal with on top of everything else you have been through. As you know I have mets to my lungs and spine. I have had a biopsy of the lung. It was nothing I was in a twilight when the Dr did it. I felt nothing at all. I even asked when they was going to do it and was told it was done!!. I didn't have any nodes taken so I can't comment on that but I'm sure someone will be able to tell you about it. You have always been such a help to so many here me included. Your wisdom has helped all of us many times. We will all be on that bus and you have never heard a ruckus like this in your life!!! I have also done my share of crying, but never gave up and kept fighting. Now I am in remission again. Never never stop fighting. Love you pink sister thank you for all you have done. We may need a bigger bus.....