I have been feeling breathless on exertion for about 6 weeks. Called my BCN and had a ct scan last Friday. Received a call today, even though I was expecting the results this coming Friday at appointment with my onc, to tell me the report states that there was 2 areas/lesions on my left lung which they believe are atypical infection. The rest of my scan was clear. I did ask if we could say it wasn’t cancer but was told we can’t rule it out 100%. I think the next step is to be referred to respiratory team.
So my question is does anyone else have experience of this? Or had an infection that turned out to be cancer?
Obviously still worried as I haven’t had a no it isn’t.
Brief history was diagnosed jan 2010 with grade 3 multifocal er+ 3 out of 9 positive nodes, with extra nodal spread around 1node. Had mx recon chemo and rads. BRCA 2 had risk reducing mx and ovary removal 2011. Currently on tamoxifen.
Hi cat107
I’m sorry to read that you are having a pretty tough time at the moment. I’m sure the users of this site will be along to support you soon.
In the meantime maybe you would like to talk to a member of our helpline staff who are there to offer emotional support as well as practical information. The free phone number is 0808 800 600 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 9.00 to 2.00.
Best wishes
Sam, BCC Facilitator
Bump
Hi Cat107,
Sorry to hear of your circumstances and the vagueness of the dx, are they going to perform a biopsy on the lesions on your left lung? cause that way they can work out if it is cancer or not, I have got multiple lung mets on both lungs dx earlier last year with primary and secondaries, I have not had any symptoms although I did have a cough that lasted months and months and obviously thought the worst but thankfully it turned out too be a virus and all my friends/neighbors had it as well. Also if you have had rads that could be what is causing the breathlessness, as sometimes your lungs can suffer as a result of the rads, trouble with all of this is that all the treatments can cause various symptoms and start us worrying unnecessarily. I am on herceptin/tamoxifen and on occasion the herceptin makes me a bit breathless and gives me a dry cough but again its not my lung mets that are causing it.
Seriously think I would get a biopsy done so you can put your mind at rest about whether or not it is cancer, I know I was feeling a lot better once they found my mets cause the waiting and not knowing is the worst. Once you know what your dealing with infection or cancer a treatment plan can be put into place. Hope this helps you, thinking of you.
sending you lots of love,light and healing vibes
sarahlousiexxx
Thanks Sarahlouise,
I have decided today to take what they have said at face value. The ct scan report says atypical infection not secondaries so that is what I will believe!
My understanding from the registrar yesterday, who was meant to call me back with more details, is that they will refer me to the respiratory team and will investigate further with a camera to start with, then I suppose a biopsy if they feel it is necessary.
I don’t have any cough, fever etc. She was also asking me if I had travelled abroad recently. Did google atypical lung infections last night and apparently you can have very few symptons. The rest of the scan was clear, both liver and right lung so that is something else positive.
Will call my BCN tomorrow to find out more.
Cat
bumping this for you Cat - hope you can get some more thoughts.
Lynn
x
So glad to read that you’re becoming more accepting of your news with a level of understanding it at face value.
I just hope above all hope that what you accept now will be the whole truth and that further investigations will only be needed to enquire about non BC matters.
Such a horrid waiting time for you.
Been thinking of you so much and willing that this has an ‘ordinary’ explanation after all…
Still doesn’t take the terror away but it seems your team are working well to understand what is going on.
Good luck for Friday and I hope your OH will be around during all of these investigations. You need 100% support from every angle!
We’re all holding your hand in some way until you can hear the reality of your test results.
Tightest hug Cat, love from Wx
Sarahlousie’s view was very matter of fact and reassuring to read.
I hope it helped as she has direct experience of all of this.