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Joan M · 02-16-2009, 04:28 PM

The good news is that there was zero infection and zero cancer cells in the bronchial wash (yippee!), even though this afternoon I coughed up more blood, about 2 tablespoons.

But I'm still very relieved about the pathology results. Your prayers and thoughts have helped me deal with this.

The pulmonologist called this morning with the final results and said the bleeding seemed to be caused by bronchiectasis. The condition was noted in the Jan. 6 PET/CT scan report.

According to Wikipedia , bronchiectasis is "destruction and widening of the large airways. A person may be born with it (congenital bronchiectasis) or may develop it later in life. Bronchiectasis is often caused by recurrent inflammation or infection of the airways." Coughing up of blood is one of the symptoms.

Bronchiectasis probably resulted from the radiofrequency ablation in combination with the wedge resection I had a year prior to the RFA.

After lunch today with two friends from my local breast cancer support group (we we're all off from work due to the holiday), I coughed up blood again.

I called the pulmonologist's office. The nurse called back and said he would call me this evening, but that I will probably have to follow up with radiation intervenion for an angiogram to determine the source of the bleeding and perhaps for cauterization. The nurse said the pulmonologist doesn't handle that procedure.

This coughing business is distressing. Today there was only a small amount of blood, but the second time there was a lot. Also, it can happen anywhere, including my 90-minute bus ride to and from work.

At least tomorrow I'm working from home because I have my Herceptin treatment at 8:00 a.m., so I won't have to travel far.

I hope the problem can be corrected, as bronchiectasis is chronic. I'll wait to hear what the pulmonologist has to say.

Joan

02-16-2009, 04:28 PM	#1
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Broncoscopy results The good news is that there was zero infection and zero cancer cells in the bronchial wash (yippee!), even though this afternoon I coughed up more blood, about 2 tablespoons. But I'm still very relieved about the pathology results. Your prayers and thoughts have helped me deal with this. The pulmonologist called this morning with the final results and said the bleeding seemed to be caused by bronchiectasis. The condition was noted in the Jan. 6 PET/CT scan report. According to Wikipedia , bronchiectasis is "destruction and widening of the large airways. A person may be born with it (congenital bronchiectasis) or may develop it later in life. Bronchiectasis is often caused by recurrent inflammation or infection of the airways." Coughing up of blood is one of the symptoms. Bronchiectasis probably resulted from the radiofrequency ablation in combination with the wedge resection I had a year prior to the RFA. After lunch today with two friends from my local breast cancer support group (we we're all off from work due to the holiday), I coughed up blood again. I called the pulmonologist's office. The nurse called back and said he would call me this evening, but that I will probably have to follow up with radiation intervenion for an angiogram to determine the source of the bleeding and perhaps for cauterization. The nurse said the pulmonologist doesn't handle that procedure. This coughing business is distressing. Today there was only a small amount of blood, but the second time there was a lot. Also, it can happen anywhere, including my 90-minute bus ride to and from work. At least tomorrow I'm working from home because I have my Herceptin treatment at 8:00 a.m., so I won't have to travel far. I hope the problem can be corrected, as bronchiectasis is chronic. I'll wait to hear what the pulmonologist has to say. Joan __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!