Need your quick opinion...Go to Hospital..or not????

idlehunters
idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
I don't know what to do. I have a full week planned next week with various doctors BUT..I have a few ongoing issues I may need to address before I can even put that foot forward. Here's the deal.

I have had a hoarse barking cough for over a month now. Onc gave me some swish and swallow crap that was useless. Not coughing anything up and lungs are clear of pneumonia but do have some inflammation. Breathing is clear and not restricted BUT..it feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest. I catch myself taking a deep breath every 15 or so minutes. BP good and blood oxygen good.

Second.... I have had a pain on the right side of my naval..about 2" away for over a month too.... Its wierd tho.... it's not an ongoing pain but hurts when I bend..stretch...get up off the couch...and move from side to side in bed. Don't hurt when I push on the area. It is getting progressivly worse.

Have any of you had symptoms like these and if so what was it?

My first appointment next week is Tuesday with my Onc. He knows of these symptoms but does not seem to think there is an issue. I will have to insist on getting these things checked out because these things are not right and not normal. I don't care what he says. So I am thinking.... why wait till Tuesday to see whats up.... why not just go to the ER and let them start looking. I have great insurance and AFLAC even pays me a $100 per day to go. By Tuesday they may have some answers on this crap and then I can fix it and move on with the "other" crap..... LOL...thats a lotta crap!

Anyway...cast your vote.... should I go now??? ...or wait til Tuesday when thats where the Onc will probably send me anyway???? I am up and waiting on your opinions Thanks family!

Jennie

Comments

  • Erinb
    Erinb Member Posts: 293
    #2
    If you are questioning it,
    If you are questioning it, you should probably go.
    Erin
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #3
    My Opinion
    Such as it is, if you think you should go, then you should go.
    Thinking of you.
    Winter Marie
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #4
    My Opinion
    Such as it is, if you think you should go, then you should go.
    Thinking of you.
    Winter Marie
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #5
    Wait
    If you are looking at one day before you go to onc then I'd wait if you can, if you really feel it's an emergency then go. To me I'd avoid going to the ER at all costs just because it's not a doctor that knows me or my situation. To me the ER is for something that I'd be rolling on the floor for, but if you are in that much discomfort then go to ER. I'd take waiting if you can. Hope you feel better thought.

    Kim
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #6
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Wait
    If you are looking at one day before you go to onc then I'd wait if you can, if you really feel it's an emergency then go. To me I'd avoid going to the ER at all costs just because it's not a doctor that knows me or my situation. To me the ER is for something that I'd be rolling on the floor for, but if you are in that much discomfort then go to ER. I'd take waiting if you can. Hope you feel better thought.

    Kim

    If you decide to go...Then speak of the hoarse barking cough...
    only after you tell them of the elephant you have sitting on your chest...There will be no waiting when they hear this...Anything that has to do with symptoms of heart issues get top priority and they will take you right back.......If you are feeling anxious about it, then go.......buzz
  • Kimo Sabe
    Kimo Sabe Member Posts: 64
    #7
    Buzzard said:

    If you decide to go...Then speak of the hoarse barking cough...
    only after you tell them of the elephant you have sitting on your chest...There will be no waiting when they hear this...Anything that has to do with symptoms of heart issues get top priority and they will take you right back.......If you are feeling anxious about it, then go.......buzz

    Go
    Totally agree. 

    The pressure of an elephant on your chest can be caused by some very serious situations. Can you call your doctor or an insurance company advice nurse? There are always barriers to going to the ER such as transportation, logistics, money, etc.  but I would not like to gamble on my life.

    (I just was trying to figure out the timing of this posting.  This might be too slow.)  
    Also  I think everyone would like to know how things turn out.

    Norm
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #8
    Jennie -

    Kim makes good sense. Going to the ER is a "crap shoot";
    you have no control over what physician is going to suggest
    what invasive treatment. Do you really want to suffer that?

    I went to the ER for dehydration, and was told that I had
    a "bad heart" that was dragging down my Kidneys, and
    making it "appear that I was dehydrated".

    Why rush? You waited this long.

    Best of everything, ehh?

    John
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #9
    dear Jennie
    Oh, Jennie- I hate to hear that you're going through this. I have mixed feelings about going to ER. I went in at the end of June as you may remember because I felt like I was being ignored & I was in pain. It was still a fight to get the tests I wanted, but I did end up getting them. The pain in your chest worries me, though. It could be something as simple as asthma that you need an inhaler or steroids for, or it could be something more serious. Based on that, it might not be a bad idea to go in. See how you are in the morning & if it's still bad, I'd go in.
    Please keep in contact w/ us and let us know what you decided to do and how you are!!

    Hugs and prayers,
    Lisa
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    #10
    John23 said:

    Jennie -

    Kim makes good sense. Going to the ER is a "crap shoot";
    you have no control over what physician is going to suggest
    what invasive treatment. Do you really want to suffer that?

    I went to the ER for dehydration, and was told that I had
    a "bad heart" that was dragging down my Kidneys, and
    making it "appear that I was dehydrated".

    Why rush? You waited this long.

    Best of everything, ehh?

    John

    ok......
    Thank you all for your quick responses. I called my husband...who works midnights...and he is on his way home.... That heavy chest feeling now has additional heart pains when I breathe too deeply. Thats kinda scary. However, I have decided to monitor all events the rest of the night and call doctor in morning. TELL HIM I want to be admitted for testing and then he can order appropriate tests. That way I know someone is ordering the tests that knows my history as I don't want them running unnecessary tests because they are not AS INFORMED as my regular docs. Thanks for helping me sort out the pros and cons. Love yu guys! Hit ya back later with an update

    Jennie
  • lauragb
    lauragb Member Posts: 370 Member
    #11
    idlehunters said:

    ok......
    Thank you all for your quick responses. I called my husband...who works midnights...and he is on his way home.... That heavy chest feeling now has additional heart pains when I breathe too deeply. Thats kinda scary. However, I have decided to monitor all events the rest of the night and call doctor in morning. TELL HIM I want to be admitted for testing and then he can order appropriate tests. That way I know someone is ordering the tests that knows my history as I don't want them running unnecessary tests because they are not AS INFORMED as my regular docs. Thanks for helping me sort out the pros and cons. Love yu guys! Hit ya back later with an update

    Jennie

    I hope that you get some
    I hope that you get some answers to your issues today. I'll be thinking of you and watching for an update.

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