Delayed Diagnosis

Every three to six months I see my cardiologist to check on a 5-bypass operation done 5 years ago. The doctor does a chest ultrasound, blood work, and an EKG. In March, 2003 I went through the same procedure as always. I complained about upper back aches, left leg pain, and shortness of breath. My heart work up was great, and the doctor just said that "old age" caused my sore back, leg etc. (I am 63). August 23rd, 2003 my face and eyes swelled up while I was on vacation. I called my doctor who didn't know what it could be. On September 8th I went to see my doctor who ordered an EKG, chest film and blood work. On September 9th, 2003 my doctor called and asked if my wife and I could come to his office on the 10th. My wife and I agree. We went to his office, but my doctor wasn't there. He phoned us at his own office and did not have the courtesy to see us in person and told us the bad news: there was an 8.5 mm X 4.5 mm. tumor between my lungs which put pressure on my carotid artery and made my face and eyes swell. He was going to refer us to another doctor. I ended up at oncology for C-T, MRI etc. and chemo for small cell stage 4 extensive cancer (it is in my left hip too). Question: Has anybody else experienced this missed diagnosis especially since upper back pain is a symptom of a tumor in the front of the chest? (My doctor's nurse even offered that information and said "that is a given.") I have been given 2 to 3 months with a max of one year. Please respond.

Ed, unfortunately misdiagnosis occurs
all too frequently. I had an ulcer under my
tongue for almost 1 1/2 years and saw 5
different doctors before a biopsy revealed it
was cancerous. The oral surgeon assured me the
biopsy was only routine and that I had nothing
to worry about and in fact he proceeded to go
out of town and did not get the results to me
for two weeks. I found myself scheduled for
surgery within three weeks, proceded by 33
radiation treatments. I was 47 years old. Now 2
1/2 years later I am doing fine but can't help
but wonder when the next misdiagnosis will
occur. Keep fighting and when you know something
is wrong be persistant about seeing another
doctor. Good luck and God bless.

Vickie

I hope you are alright...it is a year. Have you asked to see the ultrasound? I do not know why they did not find it? I always ask when I go for mri for back or anything if they find any cancer would they tell me. Last year I was hoping to get a whole body ct scan they had it for only four hundred dollars. We all put it off. Now since my younger brother was found to have pancreas cancer stage four we all wonder. I wonder what is are goverment doing to us. since so much is cancer is caused from the way they make up packed food and that atkins diet. So much animal protein is not good for you since the meat is not good for you. I pray you are well. We started my brother on cesium and aproit kernels. The chemo does not seem to be doing much. He could not eat for several weeks until I sent him a bottle of thatition Noni. You have to drink a bottle a day for four days then half a bottle a day for eight days then eight oz
a day for 30 days.
ask to have a copy of the blood work and a copy of the ultrasound report. the blood work should had got it too.

I read your messages, I am 30 yrs old. there are few things bothering me. I too have constant pain in my right leg-on the knee only, backache - sometimes sevrere for 2-3 days... (has happened twice in last 8 years). I have a constant problem of indigestion, gas.

But there are other things which make me more worried: blood from throat, I started getting it since last 3 years, when I came to USA. some doctors say it could be due to heating in the apartment, I get it only in winters. But I use to be very talkative person, now I can not speak for long time - I get pain inside my throat. mucus gets filled up in my throat, and I feel a need to spit it out every now and then (then I get blood in mucus, recently I got blood from my nose) the quantity of blood is very very small, kind of traces... but I am worried.

Another thing bothering me is: from some last 10 months, I feel kind of air-buble under my heart (I think) on the left portion of my chest. I do not get short-on-breath or chest pain as such, but that constant feeling bothers me lot.

Very recently my uncle has been diagnosed with throat cancer. He used to smoke and drink a lot, but could it be in genes???? I do not know anyone else in our family's history had it.

Would you like to say something on this....

Regards

God dude, I sound like I'm your twin, I am in my 30's also and have had some wild things go on this past summer through now. I also fear cancer due to being misdiagnosed with anxiety and depression. Anyone out there also had a doctor tell you "you are too young to worry about having cancer?" Yeah, can you believe that one, this dork actually told me this. As I sat in the office I sat there and thought where is this guy from? I also thought you know, if that was true, why are there so many small children in St. Judes and the other childrens hospitals setting there with cancer?
I am so scared right now, it isn't even funny.

My husband, Ed, was given 2 months to live with a diagnosis of SCLC and passed away after 18 months and much misery from chemo and radiation at age 64. SCLC is just a terrible disease which also travels to the bone marrow and liver, in his case.

I have been going crazy in the last six months with worry. I have had major anxiety over this issue. My doctor told me the same thing. I'm "too young" to worry about cancer. I'm a "young healthy thirty year old woman". He did do tests for me a few months ago, including several blood tests (CBC, sed.rate, liver panel, comprehensive panel, etc) and a chest x-ray. This all started over a misdiagnosed "enlarged spleen" a six months ago. They went back and looked at the films and decided there was no splenic enlargement afterall. Not sure what to believe now! It would have shown up in the blood work or chest x-ray otherwise, right?
Now, I have swollen cervical nodes and a mild fever, with night sweating (not drenching) and chills. I had the same thing about 4 months ago (without the swollen nodes) when I had my last ear infection and then it disappeared until now. He sent me home with an antibiotic a week ago which didn't help. I went back today and he seems to feel the nodes have gotten smaller. I can't really tell. I started having inner ear problems six months ago (none previously) (eustachian tube aching, an ear infection, and now this). I have had "mucous" in my throat for quite a while now (nothing I have to spit out - no blood to speak of). I assumed it was allergies because my mom has the same thing. It seems like I can push on the nodes and feel stuff drain into my throat...but it's so hard to tell! My doc referred me to an ENT. He also ordered a recheck on my spleen for next week. I'm a little scared! Any reassurance or advice? Thanks.
Stacey