Need Advise

Hi,

My name is Jennifer and I am new to this board. I am finding it to be very informative and the ppl are very compassionate. So please excuse my first post, I re-read it and I did not intend to write a book. LOL

I just have a question to ask;  but here is a little background, my PC Doc sent me in for x-rays due to cough (I could tell this cough was different than any other), he put me on antibiotics which really didn't help (@ first). I was finally better (no cough), appx. 3 weeks later. I then had a CT since the infection had cleared up so there was no mistaking that I had pneumonia. I now have to get a biopsy because there is something very abnormal in my lung(s) from the findings of the CT. Words from my doctor.

I have been on the computer (too much), and from what I have been reading when they want a biopsy, it's almost always LC (please correct me if I am wrong). Everything is happening so fast, my CT was Friday and I see the specialist for the first time on Tuesday.

The reason that I am even writing this post is because I have anxiety and it's been off the chart since finding out they want a biopsy. (Thank goodness for xanax). It does make the waiting a tad more easily but not really. It seems to be consuming my waking hours which are a lot since I am not sleeping very well.

I guess my question is, has anyone had or know of something that is similar to my case? If so, could you share a little? I am a smoker and have been for about 25 years. Been to the Doc many times for my asthma and have been told that I have the early stages of COPD (that was about 5 years ago).

I thank you in advance for any feedback.

Health and Happiness,

Jennifer M                             =^..^=

 

On 8/19/2009 lltuff4u wrote:

Hi,

My name is Jennifer and I am new to this board. I am finding it to be very informative and the ppl are very compassionate. So please excuse my first post, I re-read it and I did not intend to write a book. LOL

I just have a question to ask;  but here is a little background, my PC Doc sent me in for x-rays due to cough (I could tell this cough was different than any other), he put me on antibiotics which really didn't help (@ first). I was finally better (no cough), appx. 3 weeks later. I then had a CT since the infection had cleared up so there was no mistaking that I had pneumonia. I now have to get a biopsy because there is something very abnormal in my lung(s) from the findings of the CT. Words from my doctor.

I have been on the computer (too much), and from what I have been reading when they want a biopsy, it's almost always LC (please correct me if I am wrong). Everything is happening so fast, my CT was Friday and I see the specialist for the first time on Tuesday.

The reason that I am even writing this post is because I have anxiety and it's been off the chart since finding out they want a biopsy. (Thank goodness for xanax). It does make the waiting a tad more easily but not really. It seems to be consuming my waking hours which are a lot since I am not sleeping very well.

I guess my question is, has anyone had or know of something that is similar to my case? If so, could you share a little? I am a smoker and have been for about 25 years. Been to the Doc many times for my asthma and have been told that I have the early stages of COPD (that was about 5 years ago).

I thank you in advance for any feedback.

Health and Happiness,

Jennifer M                             =^..^=

Hi Jennifer:

 You sounded like my Mom's first symptom.  Do you know what abnormal things they saw in the lung ( left or right ?) ?   Any size?  lesion / tumor or what was actually seen?  If the biopsy turns inconclusive, pls ask them if the ct scan showed abnormality anywhere else besides lung area?  Liver could be a better candidate for biopsy if lung tissue samples turn out inconclusive and negative.

V

V

I am a medical onclogist and love to help people with some advice during free time .Hardest thing in any medical management is waiting .With the clinical symptom you described and your worried Doctors statement ,Lung cancer might be one possibility ,but I in my clinic do see biopsy which turn out to be not cancer ,atypical infection etc.

have you had previous CT scan .Worth finding out if the spots were there before .

My suggestion ,although cancer is a possibility not certain yet .Bit of distraction such as excercise ,walk,taliking to family members not necessarily about this helps .

Hope this helps you .Happy to answer any other q.

All the best 

 

 

You are very kind and thoughtful to offer some advice.  It is so helpful for those looking for some answers.

Thanks 4 you’re for your replies to my post. I appreciate you taking time
to answer, as the one reply stated.   :)

I have had a CT scan (the next day after my x-ray). I go in for my first
consultation with a Pulmonary Specialist the 25th.  That's where I will
find out the details on what they found, where, etc... I have to admit the
closer the 25th comes, the more frightened I am becoming. Of course I am trying
to joke (my way of masking problems).

My PC told me that his referral to the specialist is where I will get my
answers. All he could say is that they want to do a biopsy and that was
about it. Needless to say I was dumbfounded... but I have nobody to blame but
myself for being a smoker.

Again, thank you for your posts.

Jennifer~~

 

On 8/21/2009 lltuff4u wrote:

Thanks 4 you’re for your replies to my post. I appreciate you taking time
to answer, as the one reply stated.   :)

I have had a CT scan (the next day after my x-ray). I go in for my first
consultation with a Pulmonary Specialist the 25th.  That's where I will
find out the details on what they found, where, etc... I have to admit the
closer the 25th comes, the more frightened I am becoming. Of course I am trying
to joke (my way of masking problems).

My PC told me that his referral to the specialist is where I will get my
answers. All he could say is that they want to do a biopsy and that was
about it. Needless to say I was dumbfounded... but I have nobody to blame but
myself for being a smoker.

Again, thank you for your posts.

Jennifer~~

Smokers and nonsmokers get lung cancer.  I, nonsmoker, had tumors in lung and back and a bit of a cough when they decided to go searching for cancer.  Took them about a week of ct scans and MRI's to discover the Stage IV cancer, which means it had spread from the lungs.   They had to do a biopsy to determine exactly what kind of cancer:  lung, breast, in each spot, etc.   They use the info to decide how to treat it.  If you have the cancer just in your lung, you can let yourself relax.  There is a lot they can do for you.  The worst thing is the anxiety of waiting.  The best thing you can do is distract yourself with anything that is distracting, walks, movies, shopping, ballgames, trip to the water.   Trust in a God who cares.    The worst case scenario is if the cancer is spread, but there is still much that can be done for you.   Cancer is not the death sentence it was a few years ago.  You'll keep reading here of many who have quality of life for many years.  

 

 

On 8/19/2009 lltuff4u wrote:

Hi,

My name is Jennifer and I am new to this board. I am finding it to be very informative and the ppl are very compassionate. So please excuse my first post, I re-read it and I did not intend to write a book. LOL

I just have a question to ask;  but here is a little background, my PC Doc sent me in for x-rays due to cough (I could tell this cough was different than any other), he put me on antibiotics which really didn't help (@ first). I was finally better (no cough), appx. 3 weeks later. I then had a CT since the infection had cleared up so there was no mistaking that I had pneumonia. I now have to get a biopsy because there is something very abnormal in my lung(s) from the findings of the CT. Words from my doctor.

I have been on the computer (too much), and from what I have been reading when they want a biopsy, it's almost always LC (please correct me if I am wrong). Everything is happening so fast, my CT was Friday and I see the specialist for the first time on Tuesday.

The reason that I am even writing this post is because I have anxiety and it's been off the chart since finding out they want a biopsy. (Thank goodness for xanax). It does make the waiting a tad more easily but not really. It seems to be consuming my waking hours which are a lot since I am not sleeping very well.

I guess my question is, has anyone had or know of something that is similar to my case? If so, could you share a little? I am a smoker and have been for about 25 years. Been to the Doc many times for my asthma and have been told that I have the early stages of COPD (that was about 5 years ago).

I thank you in advance for any feedback.

Health and Happiness,

Jennifer M                             =^..^=

Hi Jennifer,

Just want to share with you about my biopsy experience. My secondary cancer was found first and the primary site was determined to be the right lung. They recommended a biopsy for definitive diagnosis. Of course all the possible adverse dangers were explained, the worst being a collapsed lung. The only discomfort I had at all was the initial needle stick to numb the area. I think he did the needle biopsy about four times to get enough tissue, each time in and out of the CT Scanner. Fortunately for me there was no air leak. I had to wait for two hours after the biopsy, they took a chest xray and sent me home. The worst case scenario would be a collapsed lung and a chest tube which they said is easily managed. In my case even after the biopsy it took five days to diagnos the tissue sample. There was a week-end in that period. Hope you don't have to wait that long.

Hi Jen,In all your testing they have not found what you have, ask for a PET Scan.  This is a very simple test, however, it is 100% correct in showing if and where you have cancer.  I had needle byopsy, and other tests, all saying the possibility of cancer, the PET Scan showed the positive results.  I have NSCLC and I Never smoked.  My sister smoked for 40yrs, had the same cancer, and is still alive after 15yrs. Keep the faith.  Life is good enjoy each day...Vette