Went to the ER yesterday.....

chenheart
chenheart Member Posts: 5,159 Member
in Breast Cancer #1
I just wasn't feeling quite right yesterday...well, actually I was feeling a lot not right yesterday! I was unsure of myself, didn't trust that I could even take a shower without falling down (never a good thing!!) shaky, light-headed, and short of breath with a dry cough . I finally called Reggie to come home from playing golf! He plays close by, and was home lickety split!

I called the Cancer Center on the way to the ER, to get a message to my oncologist, as I like keeping all of the players in the loop. My b/p was fine~ I was checked while lying prone, standing and sitting, and I would say it averaged about 130/65. Oxygen levels were at 99% and my lungs sounded clear. Pulse was a bit elevated, and I couldn't hold completely still...shaky. I was given an IV with my new best friend, Ativan.

ER doc, upon knowing my history, opted to do a CAT scan to rule out, among other things,blood clots. No clots, but :-( a "puddling" of fluid on the lining of my right lung. Not enough to be safely aspirated, but visible on the scan. Back in May, when I was redx'd, I had fluid on the lining of my lung with BC cells in it.

Naturally, I called my oncologist with that news and also had the scans faxed to him. He is fearful that it is indeed a resurfacing of the beast. Being that I had surgery 3 weeks ago to remove a cancerous lymphnode which obviously wasn't responding to the Tamoxifen, it would seem that perhaps Tamoxifen has run its course with me. RATS! ( I only say that because cursing is not allowed on this site!)

I was told to "self monitor", that is, see if my cough worsens or if I experience difficulty in breathing~ in that case, get back to the ER! He is sadly expecting that my lung will soon have enough fluid in it to be able to aspirate...if it is positive for BC, I will have to start chemo. Not of course sure when...but it doesn't seem too far on the horizon.

I abhor leaving any of you any type of bad news!!! But, we are family of the highest order, and I know you want to keep apprised of me. As we keep track of all of the Kindred Spirits.

I will let you know when/how the Next Chapter unfolds...

Love you!
Hugs,
Chen♥
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Comments

  • laughs_a_lot
    laughs_a_lot Member Posts: 1,368 Member
    #2
    prayers
    Prayers will be said for you.
  • Marsha Mulvey
    Marsha Mulvey Member Posts: 597 Member
    #3
    laughs_a_lot said:

    prayers
    Prayers will be said for you.

    extra special
    Extra special thoughts and prayers for you Chen. I'll continue to hope that this "pudding" has no malignant cells within.
    Marsha
  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    #4
    Your ER visit
    Dear Chen,

    I am so sorry that things do not seem to be going well for you. You are always such an inspiration to those of us on this board. Thanks for keeping us posted so that we can keep you in our prayers. Have fun at the NorCal get together on the 26th. Hope you will be able to make the trip.
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159 Member
    #5
    jessiesmom1 said:

    Your ER visit
    Dear Chen,

    I am so sorry that things do not seem to be going well for you. You are always such an inspiration to those of us on this board. Thanks for keeping us posted so that we can keep you in our prayers. Have fun at the NorCal get together on the 26th. Hope you will be able to make the trip.

    Thanks! I am beyond
    Thanks! I am beyond optimistic, bordering on lunacy! LOL Not only am I planning on being in Sacramento on the 26th, I am signed up to do a 5 mile hike on Saturday! We'll play it by ear, but I bought new hiking shoes on Monday!

    Thanks for the well-wishes, everyone!

    Hugs,
    Chen♥
  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    #6
    Claudia... so sorry to hear
    Claudia... so sorry to hear about the turn of events. It can be so overwhelming. I will keep you in prayer and please know you are in my thoughts. God bless.
    BL

    PS Please keep us posted on how you are doing. We are here for you, always.
  • PinkPearl
    PinkPearl Member Posts: 280
    #7
    Thanks for posting
    You are such a positive person that I know you hate posting bad news but as you said everyone wants to know since we are kindred spirits. This way we can support each other in thoughts and prayers and it means alot. Take care of yourself and let us know how you are doing Dear Chenheart.
  • ladyg
    ladyg Member Posts: 1,577
    #8
    Chen
    Thanks for keeping us up to date. I am sorry that the news was not better. At least they got a jump on it and can start treatment soon. I will keep you in my thoughts and send you some extra positive energy -- not that you don't have a lot of your own!

    Hugs,
    Georgia
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    #9
    ladyg said:

    Chen
    Thanks for keeping us up to date. I am sorry that the news was not better. At least they got a jump on it and can start treatment soon. I will keep you in my thoughts and send you some extra positive energy -- not that you don't have a lot of your own!

    Hugs,
    Georgia

    Chen, I know you're gonna do that walk proudly!
    I'm rebuking any negativity and holding on to the hope that this fluid is free of any malignancy.

    Strength and peace to you!

    Hugs,

    Sylvia
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #10
    ladyg said:

    Chen
    Thanks for keeping us up to date. I am sorry that the news was not better. At least they got a jump on it and can start treatment soon. I will keep you in my thoughts and send you some extra positive energy -- not that you don't have a lot of your own!

    Hugs,
    Georgia

    In spite of the content
    I'm glad you posted. Thank you for knowing that we would want/need to know this and thank you for feeling comfort in posting and our support. Can you feel us sending everything we've got your way?

    Needless to say, you will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

    Suzanne
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #11
    Awww, dear Chen...
    Feeling the way you did yesterday - must've been scary. :-(

    Maybe the lung fluid will disappear on its own? Could it be from a viral infection (i.e., a "cold"/"flu"-type illness)? I will fervently HOPE so. And if aspiration is - indeed - needed, I'll HOPE like a madwoman with everything I've got that no malignant cells are present.

    Dear Claudia - you are the longest-term member I know within this group. You are ALWAYS more than willing to limitlessly give of your own huge heart to others - support, encouragement and love. We are here for you, too. ALWAYS. No matter what, why, when...

    Love, 12/25 xo
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159 Member
    #12
    Double Whammy said:

    In spite of the content
    I'm glad you posted. Thank you for knowing that we would want/need to know this and thank you for feeling comfort in posting and our support. Can you feel us sending everything we've got your way?

    Needless to say, you will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

    Suzanne

    Suzanne and all of you~ I do
    Suzanne and all of you~ I do indeed feel all of the goodness and love and healing thoughts you are sending my way. I deliberated for a few minutes as to if I should post this or not...but truth be told, I needed you! And this is cancer SUPPORT, after all, isn't it?

    I will let you know about the walk...I soooo plan on doing it!!!!! Especially knowing you are all with me, pushing me when I slow down! I know you won't tell me to quit!!

    Hugs,
    Chen♥
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #13
    Oh shoot, I hate that you
    Oh shoot, I hate that you are dealing with all of this and I fervantly pray the outcome is better than you expect. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do. You are always a little ray of sunshine, so cheery and optimistic--I am counting on that strong spirit, my Energizer Bunny, getting you right past this!
  • Wolfi
    Wolfi Member Posts: 425
    #14
    Thanks
    Thanks for the update. You are never far from my thoughts and even though I haven't been on the board as often as before, I still think of you and the others who are going through difficulties.

    You are in my prayers.

    Wolfi
  • Dawne.Hope
    Dawne.Hope Member Posts: 823
    #15
    prayers!
    Dearest Claudia -

    Thank you for keeping us up to date. I think of you often. Know I'm praying for you. The hardest thing about this journey is trying to keep your mind in the present and not go into the 'what-if's.' We don't know yet. One step, one day at a time. You are new walking boots are going to have a blast on that walk! :)

    Sending much love and prayers. xo
  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #16
    So sorry that you have to go through this,
    and am hopeful that your next chapter will be one of relief, not chemo. I am newer to this site, but unfortunately not to the disease, and am learning how the support given and received on this site is invaluable.

    Prayers for you.
    Carol
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #17
    Dawne.Hope said:

    prayers!
    Dearest Claudia -

    Thank you for keeping us up to date. I think of you often. Know I'm praying for you. The hardest thing about this journey is trying to keep your mind in the present and not go into the 'what-if's.' We don't know yet. One step, one day at a time. You are new walking boots are going to have a blast on that walk! :)

    Sending much love and prayers. xo

    Hiking shoes sound very exiting
    Dear Claudia,

    Hiking shoes sound very exiting to me. I am imagining you enjoying the California winter, sun, mountains, ocean, and your new very comfortable shoes...
    Let's hope and pray for the best and prepare for a new challenge...

    You are in my thoughts every day. Thank you for sharing
    New Flower
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #18
    HMMM
    So Claudia are you still on antibiotics or are they waiting to see what happens as the days go by. You know you are in my prayers, positive thoughts, and good vibes. Do keep us posted and hey don't over do girl if you are not up to hiking don't hike rest as the trails will still be there when you are more up to it. Big hugs to you and super duper well wishes!

    °•♥Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥•°*”˜ RE
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159 Member
    #19
    RE said:

    HMMM
    So Claudia are you still on antibiotics or are they waiting to see what happens as the days go by. You know you are in my prayers, positive thoughts, and good vibes. Do keep us posted and hey don't over do girl if you are not up to hiking don't hike rest as the trails will still be there when you are more up to it. Big hugs to you and super duper well wishes!

    °•♥Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥•°*”˜ RE

    Yes, the ER doc gave me a
    Yes, the ER doc gave me a z-pack, which my oncologist said to go ahead and finish. One of those "can't hurt, might help" things! Ya know, just in case it is pneumonia or some infection and NOT cancer! Isn't it just crazy that this journey makes us long for the good old days of bronchitis, swine flu or pneumonia??? Strep throat is sounding pretty good about now, with a side order of malaria!
    I am nothing if not careful~ if the hike is too much I will stop!

    Hugs,
    Chen♥
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #20
    I am hugging you so tight, dear Chen!!!!
    I will be home in 3 weeks, if you need me to come....anything I can do, or bring from Germany to make you smile, you just ask!!!

    Knuffels, Kathi
  • EveningStar2
    EveningStar2 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #21
    chenheart said:

    Suzanne and all of you~ I do
    Suzanne and all of you~ I do indeed feel all of the goodness and love and healing thoughts you are sending my way. I deliberated for a few minutes as to if I should post this or not...but truth be told, I needed you! And this is cancer SUPPORT, after all, isn't it?

    I will let you know about the walk...I soooo plan on doing it!!!!! Especially knowing you are all with me, pushing me when I slow down! I know you won't tell me to quit!!

    Hugs,
    Chen♥

    best wishes
    for whatever this is! Hopefully this will be another one of these you-are-growing-older-and-things-happen type of thing and no issue.

    And for crying out loud do NOT feel that you always have to be the cheerleader! We are family and we laugh, we cry, we do whatever!

    Maureen

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