Well it's been a whirlwind...

I feel so lucky: obviously the benign diagnosis will need to be confirmed at some point but when I look around the little 4 bed ward I really do feel lucky.

There have been a few issues: I knew that there was an airleak but not the problems that would cause - I sound like Orville  the duck and there's air under my skin. so I look puffy.

C x

Hello Carol, hope you’re doing ok now and maybe off ICU. I spent 12 days there in January with pneumonia ( ventilator for 3 days) so I can imagine how it is for you. I’m hoping this thing on my lung is something to do with that.  My follow up appointment is tomorrow morning. My partner is being wonderful and coming with me. Just need to manage my anxiety this evening and try to sleep tonight. Take care and keep in touch x

Cautious optimism from the hospital. The nodules are small - 0.6mm and 14mm. They want to scan me again in about 4 weeks. I’m mightily relieved for now. Hope you are doing ok x

Hello Carol, I’ve not heard from you for a while. Hoping everything is ok. I have my next scan in 2 weeks. Really hoping those nodules will be smaller or better yet, gone altogether! X

Oops.. haven't been checking mail much so missed this. 

I was discharged after 10 days, possibly a bit early as my right lung hasn't reinflated since they removed the enormous drain on the day of discharge. I had the follow up visit last week and although benign hamartoma has been confirmed, not being signed off yet. Another chest x-ray towards the end of the month to see if fluid has gone and lung back up - otherwise it'll be another small op to drain it. 

Good luck with your next scan - hoping for the best news for you. 

I'm out walking for about an hour most days - it takes me that long to do about a mile and a half! But at least I can do that in one go now. 

Best

Carol

Hello Carol, I’m pleased to hear from you. Great news about the confirmed diagnosis. Hope everything else sorts itself out soon. Keep on walking! It’s great therapy, physically and mentally! Take care x

Hello Carol. I have good news! The two areas of concern on my right lung have majorly reduced in size. The scan was only on Tuesday and I’d expected to wait 2 weeks for results but the nurse rang me today to put me out of my misery. They want to keep an eye on me, so another scan in 9 months. Meanwhile I feel I can get on with my life. I hope you are continuing to improve and that your lung has reinflated. Thank you for keeping in touch. Let’s hope we’ll both be well for many years to come x 

Hi Alison

That is absolutely excellent news! 

I had my second post-operation chest x-ray yesterday and the hospital contacted me during the afternoon. There's still a little fluid in the upper lung cavity (but less), and my lung has partially re-inflated. Having said previously that they would have to operate to drain the fluid they're now saying that they're happy with my progress and I'll be called in 6 months for another x-ray. I'm still walking (just over 2 miles a day now, depending on PMR pain) and purposely including hills so that I get out of breath. Apparently it's the right thing to do and it's working. 

Really hope that we'll both be well for many years to come!

Carol

Hi Alison

I think it will take me longer to get back to normal, unfortunately. Walking is progressing well (although nothing like 10 thousand steps, I just don't have the stamina).

Breathing is better, don't get out of puff so often but PMR is still holding me back. 

My weekend hobby/job until PMR struck was music photography (I ran a review site with my partner) but that had to stop at the end of October last year as I couldn't lift my cameras and big lenses. I still can't lift my big cameras, but I am taking a smaller one on walks, or using my phone. Even went to a music festival - felt very odd not being in the photo pit! Also went to an indoor gig but it was so crowded I wasn't at all comfortable. Still autoimmune and needing to shield and mask - and 4 hours is a long time in a mask! The venue were lovely, provided bar stools for us at the back of the room but still far too crowded for me. Gigs will have to wait a while.

Enjoy your walks, and hoping you continue to improve.

Carol x