I went to see the GP today as feeling absolutely awful. She said she though I have a chest infection but was quite worried because she thought she could hear fluid on the right side were I had the pleural efffusion.
She said that it didn’t automatically mean that that the effusion had return but I may have pnuemonia. She prescribed antiboitics and arranged for an emergency xray and has asked the result to be faxed to her by this afternoon.
I also contacted my oncologist as I had a CT scan on Monday and hopefully she will have the results from that. I’ve just received a phone to say she will see me at 09.30 tomorrow morning.
I don’t know whether to be relieved or scared.
Feeling really low and don’t know what to think. Its the first time since I’ve had the dreadful disease that I just crumbling and broke down in the doctor’s.
I feel in limbo and don’t know how to feel. At least I’ll have some answer tomorrow.
thanks for ‘listening’ sometimes it helps to get it all out.
Love
Chris xxx
Sorry to hear you’re having a particularly worrying tough time Chris.I’m sure whatever the news tomorrow you will feel more able to cope once you know what you’re dealing with and have support. Being in limbo and in fear is awful as we all know!
Thinking of you and really hoping you feel better soon and glad you can come on here and let us know how you’re feeling.
Big hugs,
So sorry Chris to hear that things don’t feel too good just now. It is rotten when you hit a real low. I guess it is good that everyone is taking you seriously and seeing you asap, that way if something is wrong they will get on with sorting you out quickly. I’m really not surprised you broke down - it is just so hard when you experience that sense of pending doom :(. I do hope treatments happens really fast and you feel a lot better for it.
Oh Chris, really sorry to hear this.
'Hope that the time goes quickly for you until your appointment tomorrow.
Thinking of you,
gentle hugs
Anne Marie
Xxx
Cyberhugs Chris - at least it sounds as though they are responding quickly so if you do need treatment you’ll get it soon and that would be good. The waiting is awful - am hoping things settle down for you
xxx
Waiting is absolutely awful, particularly in our situation when you fear the worst. We are with you, if only in spirit.
I know its hard but in a strange way its good that your GP can see how much of an impact this has on you. Knowing you, I suspect you put a brave face on it !! She has acted quickly and that is for the best.We worry if they don’t act and worry if they do !!
Similarly your Onc knows that you don’t over react and obviously wants to put your mind at rest and/or set things in motion.
Whatever it is, it sounds nasty and no wonder you have been tired lately. It could be a nasty infection or it could be the effusion. It could be both. You can’t second guess but I am sure your GP and Onc will act together to ease those symptoms with some treatment. Whatever it is, we are here and we are with you.
Julie xxx
Thank you all so much for your comment and kind words, it does mean such a lot to me.
Goodness Julie you know me so well. I’ve been like a simmering pots and it just flooded over - very strange but the first time I’ve broke down.
I think it was because I was on my own and I have a very supportive husband, but sometimes he just takes over and its difficult to get a word in edge ways. I know he does it for all the right reasons but sometimes I have to tell him to be quiet!
It’s a very sad household and my youngest girl who’s 18 is very tearful - I have been honest and hope its just a nasty infection but I told her we always knew that one day we would have to face it again.
I’ll let you know how I get on tomorrow and hopefully it won’t be as bad as I fear.
Love
Chris xxx
I’m so sorry! I know you said you were feeling rough on Tuesday chat - no wonder!
I know it’s scary and hard not to imagine the worst when these things happen and we get quick appts with oncs, but as the others have said, the positive thing is that they are seeing/dealing with you quickly.
Of course you’re allowed to feel low,sad, angry, afraid …but you will recover and you will cope, as you say it’s the limbo thats the worst. I hope you are beginning to feel a little less unsettled and that the family are coping ok,do let us know how you get on. Till then I’ll say to you what I think you’d say to me “chin-up”!
Sending you lots of love and big but gentle hugs, Julie xx
I saw the oncologist today and there is progression in the lung node it nearly triple in size although she said it is still relatively small about 15mm.
She spoke about three different options - 1. to waiting and see how I response to the antibiotics. 2. To change the inhibitor. 3. To go back down the chemo route.
I have decided to wait and see how the infection response to the antibiotics. She has also given me stronger ones and clarithromycin if they don’t work.
The main thing is there is no evidence of the effusion returning which is a fear I have.
I’m seeing her next in 3 weeks time and she will rescan me 6 weeks after that. She said she can see I don’t look well and said she wants to keep a very close eye on me. Loads of blood tests and guess what got a vein first time.
Hope you’re all well and thanks for your responses.
Love
Chris xxx
Been thinking of you all night Chris, its like its all of us going through it with you, we all worry of whats around the corner, infections knock us of our perches and then the mind plays tricks with us and down comes the dark clouds. But you will find your wings again and be back on that perch singing again as sweet as ever. sending you a huge bright blue cloud with loads of positive thoughts it should be over your home soon… luv and hugs matey xxxxxxx
Been thinking of you a lot as well. I’m very glad that your fears about the effusion were unfounded and that the onc is keeping an eye on you so closely. B*gger the lung node has grown but if onc thinks it’s still comparatively small, then that’s ‘good’ in our secondary world. And well done on getting a vein first time - some achievement!!
Along with all the others, I really hope the antibiotics blast the infection very quickly and that you start to feel a bit perkier asap. Sending lots of positivity and get well vibes. Hang in there.
Thanks for letting us know how you got on, like the others have been threating about you all day.
Bummer about the lung node BUT still is v small and your onc doesn’t seem overly concerned so thats quite good and so pleased it wasn’t the effusion as I know how you dreaded that. Hope the AB’s kick in really quickly and you start to feel much better really soon!
I think you’re right to wait and see how you are after AB’s, glad your onc is on the case and keeping an eye on you.
Let yourself be looked after for a while! Sending you lots of healing vibes, love and hugs, julie xx
Ah Lizzie you say such lovely things. I would like to echo the sentiments to you Chris.
So pleased about the lack of effusion.Phew !! I think your lung nodule is about the same as mine. My onc says that some fluctuation is normal. Mine has grown too and I will be holding hands with you in the ‘wait and see’ camp !!
Any infection is bound to get you down. Here is hoping those anti- biotics do their thing and make you feel better pretty sharpish.
Lots of REST, fluids and relaxation is in order for you. Be kind to yourself and hope you sleep easier tonight.
Just a message to you to say I too am thinking about you. I hope the antibiotics do their job and that you will feel more comfortable over the weekend. Cannot add anything as Lizzie, Julie, Chris and Mary have said it all. All your cyber friends are here for you and if you feel low again come right back on here and tell us about it. Getting it all out is good. Hugs, Val
Just wanted to send you my best wishes too, and hope the ABs do their job. I have an lung tumour too, it was 18mm last time I asked so I know a bit about the scary place your in.
So sorry to hear about your infection, it is a very scary time when you are waiting to see what is going to happen next. It is so hard not to think the worst. Also, sorry that I haven’t been around to post and offer support, too much galivanting around!
Hopefully the antibiotics are working by now and you are starting to feel better. I will be looking out for you on chat tomorrow night, hope you are up to it.