[madubois63]

I agree with Alaska Angel. It sounds more like an upper respiratory infection or bronchitis to me. But, we are not normal anymore and ALL symptoms should be checked out for a CONCLUSIVE answer!!! If your onc does not want the responsibility, it may be time to have a pow wow or find a new onc!! My onc has NEVER sent me to a PC for anything! He orders or does every test himself.

My first relapse (4 years ago) with lung mets (paired with liver mets) was found by a walk-in PC (sort of). I had been seeing my onc for regular follow-ups and my tumor markers never changed. I went to the walk-in because I had a double ear infection and a persistent cough. The doc suggested I MIGHT have had a relapse, and I looked at her like she had 6 heads. She ordered an x-ray and treated it as if it were bronchial. I was exhausted by this point and the heavy breathing was taking it's toll. A walk to the bathroom was like climbing a mountain. I ended up in the ER before any further tests could be done. The pain was unbearable. The ER admitted me for a week, my onc took over and I met my pulmonary doctor that week. He drained my lung (2 liters of fluid). The pathology came back inconclusive, but the other tests showed several spots on my liver and lungs. 3 weeks later, I was back in the hospital for scheduled VAT (video assisted biopsy) thoracentesis (draining the lung) and pleuradesis (sealing the lung with talc). That was the beginning of my second bout with the beast. And yes, this is the same procedure I just had last month.

I repeat, it doesn't sound like mets, but PLEASE get this checked out. After having bc once, you can never be too careful.