Ruth and chronic cough

[TSund]

I have hesitated to write, because putting it down on paper makes all of the fears lurking at the back of my mind so much more real. Ruth has been coughing, esp. at night (non-productive though she sure sounds congested to me) for 3 weeks, and it's rather a mystery as to why. She's feeling OK outside of the cough. She had "nodules" show on original scan and last scan that radiologist pretty certain not cancer, they thought signs of an old infection. Onc had her keep her port in just as a caution. Ruth's next CT scan is this Friday. (holding breath)


The onc wants her to see a pulmonologist. I'm assuming she would not do that if things were pointing firmly to lung mets? On the other hand, it's scary to be sent to a lung doctor...makes it feel that much more serious. One of the things onc wants to rule out with the is MAI bacterial infection. (Ruth tests positive for exposure to TB from a young age but never had the disease - common for Filipinos I am told) MAI not a pretty scenario either.

I'm guessing another possibility is a side affect from the radiation she received? Does anyone know how far out from radiation this usually occurs? (reading Lani's recent post re: vit E + pentoxfylline with interest) Is there anything else that helps lungs heal? If this is a form of lung fibrosis, do I assume correctly that this shouldn't affect her other lung on the non-radiated side? (doesn't "spread" ?).


I am hoping and praying it's just a nasty virus that isn't being rid of easily. (tho w/o head cold symptoms?) Ruth had a very bad cold/flu a couple months ago (and another cold a couple months before that) so her immune system is definitely down. Weird that she's been coming down with bugs now that chemo etc. is done!

I am trying so hard stay calm for her, but terrified none-the-less and feeling alone. Any advice appreciated.

Please say a prayer for her.

Thanks

Sending healing thoughts to all...

Terri