Scared

lisajones4 · 03-20-2009, 01:56 PM

Hi everyone. Thank you again for letting me vent. I don't think you all know how much this means to me. I was diagnosed with strep throat and pneumonia this week. Now I know why I have been feeling bad. My primary doctor is very happy that I have responded to the anti-biotics. When he talked to two radiologists he said they said there was something funny on my lung and that it wasn't a-typical pneumonia. I called my oncologist and she did not seem to be concerned. I have had some history of non-calcified spots on my lungs that have been there since I was diagnosed. I just don't know what to do. Any thoughts?

Lisa

Becky · 03-20-2009, 03:25 PM

Wait until you are fully, fully, fully well and then get the lung re-evaluated. Talk to your doctor on how long you should wait because this probably does have something to do with your current infection.

Rest and recuperate!

Lien · 03-20-2009, 04:45 PM

Oh Lisa, I'd be scared too if I were in your shoes. But let's stop and think clearly for a moment. There really are two options: convince yourself that it's probably one of those same old spots. If your onc isn't concerned, there's no reason to hit the panic button. Or talk to your primary doctor about your fears and find out if there are any tests that could possibly show what exactly is going on in there.

I think - although I'm not a doc - that the pneumonia will make it hard to interpret anything right now. So I guess it's better to wait until your pneumonia has cleared up.

A couple of years ago one of my friends was in a big panic. Her husband had had a chest X-ray and their doc was convinced he had lung cancer. They'd just had a baby. After more testing it turned out to be scar tissue from pneumonia he'd had when he was 18. And last year my best friends' new boyfriend was thought to have lungcancer, but it turned out to be scarring from some other rare disease that was just clearing up.

I'm telling you this, because although X-rays are a big help in diagnostics, they also show a lot of "false positives". I think the wait and see approach makes a lot more sense. You have pneumonia and it's responding well to antibiotics. So very likely that's all there is.

Love

Jacqueline

chrisy · 03-20-2009, 05:09 PM

One of the many many unfair things about cancer is that we can no longer just get sick like "normal" people. Our first thoughts always go to our worst fear. And with our history, everyone around us (radiologists included) is also hyper-vigilant.

I agree with Becky. Focus on getting well for now, then follow up if needed.

Take care
Chris

Paty · 03-20-2009, 09:29 PM

Lisa,

I agree with Chrisy, we are oncophobic all the time. I also think you should not panic and wait till you feel better. After I got radiation, I developed something like pneumonia and started taking antibiotics and cortison. After some studies done, my doctor told me I had developed lung fibrosis due to radiation. I did panic then, but after some weeks, I started feeling well and started doing my walking again and also swiming. My pneumologist told me I should excersice my lungs and do my daily excersice as walking and keeping active. I feel well and pretty fine now,I would say. I now have a normal life, I would say. Hopefully, there will not be anything serious. Rest a lot and drink many liquids and declare that everything will be fine. God bless you. I send you a big hug.

Paty

WomanofSteel · 03-21-2009, 09:07 AM

I must agree with the others. Get well first and then see what if anything needs to be done.

Believe51 · 03-23-2009, 09:16 AM

Lisa, the only thoughts I have is...Hmmmm, what flavor (not scent~haha) candle will I burn as I say prayers for my Dear Lisa tonight?? I am following your journey and you are always just a thought away. Please acept this hug and healing prayers as we await the news that you are over this. Heal well Sweetness and remember that I love you!>>Believe51

PS: I just got a Black Cherry Yankee Candle and it has your name on it......Black Cherry it is!!

Shobha · 03-23-2009, 09:46 AM

Lisa,

I can understand the fear. I am praying for you and wishing you speedy recovery. I hope they find nothing of concern in the lungs and you are filled with joy.

love,
shobha

juanita · 03-23-2009, 04:04 PM

sending healing thoughts and prayers your way!

Believe51 · 03-26-2009, 10:37 AM

Lisa, wondering how you are feeling and reminding you that you are in continued prayers here in my house.>>Believe51

lisajones4 · 03-26-2009, 10:49 AM

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I feel 300% better. The anti-biotics kicked in right away and by the weekend I wasn't even coughing anymore. I am due for my six-month scans in April so instead of a chest x-ray I am going to have the CT scan. I am just praying that these come back clean.

You are all so wonderful!

Lisa

Believe51 · 03-26-2009, 11:02 AM

Let us know when that time comes so I can tribute the day to you. I'll start those prayers now even though I never stopped! Thanks for updating, been thinking about you girl!>>Believe51