Recovering from "ammonia"

cinnamonsmile said:

I had atelectasis show up on

I had atelectasis show up on my appendicitis xray in the ER on 2/13/13 (I had also had a cough since Dec 2012). No one at the hospital bothered to tell me. When I asked my primary care doctor, she said don't worry about. Fast foward to July 31, 2013, I had a plum sized mass of hypersensitivity pneumonitis taken from that same lung.  My cardiothoracic surgeon poo-pooed the term atelectasis as well, because it is such a general term and doesn't really give a diagnoses. Ashtma,shallow breathing, pnemonia,obesity, being bedridden recent surgery, and anesthesia can also cause atelectasis.

Fast foward to October 2013, my CT scan showed atelectasis in the other lung now. I was concerned because I had started having some of the same symptoms starting up again as before. I asked the pulmonologist and I was told that I wasn't breathing deep enough and to use my spirometer several times a day for deep breathign exercises. There is a gal in the cancer chat room that had atelectasis as well.

Atelectasis can be caused by so many different things. I am glad they found out that you had "ammonia." Hope the antibiotics help and get over it soon. The more deep breathing exercises you can, the better (without causing coughing fits).

 

You are right and I wasn't clear about my situation.  My right lung has had chronic changes since mets: small atelectasis off and on, pleural effusions off and on, diminished size of lung.  Pulmonologists say it will never be normal although no current signs of active cancer.  Both lungs were showing some changes during chemo, but left lung has never had atelectasis and combined with fever, productive cough, laryngitis, no energy, etc-well, we both were pretty sure this was pneumonia.  Fever is gone and laryngitis is improving and energy is definitely better.  Cough is slowly improving, but coughs, as we both know, can really linger.

I have been trying to deep breathe and am looking for my incentive spirometer.  I know it is somewhere.  Trying hard to recover for Mickey!  Thanks!

Josie21 said:

Hi CC

Feel better soon CC.  So sorry you have pneumonia, but I guess you'll just have to kick 'ammonia's' butt too!  A friend of mine was recently diagnosed with Stage IV esophageal cancer that spread to her liver.  I told her about the lesions that you had and how someone actually counted each one.  Your story inspired her and made her feel better.  You and so many gentlemen and ladies on this site have no idea how much you help others.  You kicked cancer's butt over and over again, so 'ammonia' will have to have its butt kicked as well.

Hugs,

Ginny

Aw Ginny, you really made me feel better.  I am doing well, so please give your friend a little dose of hope from me.  My cancer mets appears to be in remission: no active disease.  I know I am not cured, but I will take every day and enjoy it.  Give your friend a big hug from me!