Hi All, I have Emphysema and since diagnosed in 2011 have always been conscious of anything lung related or unusual, and was alarmed when I coughed up small amounts of blood two days in a row a month or so ago. Ruled out nose bleed and gums so off to the Surgery pronto. The Dr. referred me for an x-ray. It showed nothing other than the normal craziness of my Emphysematic lungs and calcifications. Thankfully the Dr. was still concerned enough to refer me for a CT Scan. The first one ever! 5 days after the scan I'm sat in front of a Consultant and Macmillan Nurse asking if I knew why I was there. Thanks to the NHS App I'd read my scan results the day before so I knew exactly why I was there! Shocked to have read them in advance but at least it gave me a chance to gather my thoughts and have a long list of questions.
What a kind and patient man and he explained the "2.1 cm enhancing nodule in the right upper lobe bronchus, and partial segmental upper lobe collapse". That's when the whole thing felt real, it was actually happening to me and not just words in an App. Fast forward a week from there and I've had a full Lung Function Test (or lack of it!), and joy of joys, a Bronchoscopy last Friday. I've got to say they were a fantastic team from beginning to end and so very caring. The best bit just has to be the hot chocolate and ginger nuts an hour after to procedure. Now it's just a waiting game and I spoke to the Macmillan nurse yesterday and she said in reality it'll probably be another week before the biopsy results.
My husband went through Oesophageal Cancer during Lockdown, and that's obviously given me a wealth of experience - but from the other side! His attitude was to trust in the process, leave it to the professionals, do as they say, don't look at Google, eat well, exercise as much as possible, keep hydrated, relax, do the things you love, do the one day at a time thing and try not to fast forward into tomorrow. Wise words and I'm trying but I know it's tough and so many high's and lows since that Bronchoscopy. I think it was so invasive and I was so nervous beforehand, I nosedived on Saturday and felt so low. Thankfully haven't coughed up any blood since Saturday.
Good to be here and look forward to sharing our journeys.
Hi Sally JK and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
It's natural to be feeling as you do while you're going through tests, scans, etc.
The online community is divided into different support groups and I can see that you've already joined and posted in the lung cancer group which is a great place to ask questions, share experiences and get support.
I'm sure you'll soon get a reply from the other members of the lung cancer group.
((hugs))
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
