Hi Everyone
I am feeling the knot of panic in my stomach at the moment.
Am currently on 2nd round of of Tax / Gem for incurable regional reccurances with 2 main ones at supraclavicular and medistinial (think that is the spelling) and have been since beginning of Jan. About 2 months ago I developed a nasty chest infection which included some nice fluid filled lungs. Postponed chemo and a lot of AB’s later, I restarted chemo. Then I had my 6th and last of that cycle, but the drug company screwed up my tax bag, and added a random other drug to it it is thought (still waiting on confirmation) so missed my gem part of the cycle.
Felt ok’ish, so as was last one anyway, Onc suggested a break, after of 3 weeks off although we had intended longer, a new lymph popped up on the other side of my neck, so started back on gem / tax straight away, just about to do dose number 8 or is it 9… losing track!
However, have has a persistant upper respiritory and non productive cough for about 5 - 6 weeks now, have had two different AB’s which seem to help a little but as soon as I finish them, it gets worse again. Sometimes if feels like someone grabs my lungs and squeezes and my breath kinda wooshes out of them for a moment, followed by a coughing fit. The Doc checked my chest prior to last chemo, and the one before and said it was bronchial not lobe, but of course, you know what I am now panicking about.
Is it lung mets.
I would be really grateful if anyone can tell me if they have had similar symptoms with lungs, or preferably that they haven’t!! I of course intend to talk to the Onc team about it, but just need some reasurance (hopefully)
Many thanks
Nikki
Hi Nikki,
Sorry to hear about your worry. If you need to talk to someone in confidence then please do phone the helpline, they’re here to support you through this.
Kind regards,
Jo, Facilitator
Hi Nikki
So sorry that you have lung problems.
Theres been a query on my lungs for some time though so far not identifed as lung mets. My left lower lobe is half collapsed…may be radiotherapy damage and/or pressure from from tumours in lymph in chest wall. I get breathless from time to time.
Sorry none of this ia a comfort to you…but there are other explanations for lung roblems which dont involve lung mets.
Take care Nikki
Jane x
Hello Nikki
I have had problems with my lungs I have had pleural effusions in the past. These started with a cough and also felt like someone was sitting on my chest.
I was treated with chemo and had the effusions drained which has helped a lot. I know that you may not want to hear this but they did manage to sort out my problems and I am feeling a lot better now.
CAroline
Hi Jane, thank you for taking the time, and energy to post, much apprecaited.
I know I am being paranoid, but it’s hard not too. Will do this cycle (had Tax / gem yesterday, gem next wed) then they are going to do another scan to try and see if anything is going on.
I knew I had scarring from the rads, but that had been there since 07, maybe it just makes me more susceptible to infections, who knows.
This morning I lost one of my dogs, she died right next to me and my heart is broken, although she was 11, she was fit and healthy up to Sunday when she fell ill, Tues they operated, but this morning her heart gave out. It was awful. She was such a precious girl to us, and I miss her badly already as she always slept next to me when Tim is away at work in the week and cuddled up to me when I felt crap. Sleep well Sasha, I will see you at the Rainbow Bridge in a little while, until then, try not to terrorise the celestial postmen ok.
Nikki
Hi Caroline, thanks for posting to me. The pressure thing is more like a spasm than a permanent thing. Hopefully a scan after my next treatmenr will explain what is, or isn’t going on. It’s hard not to be paranoid about everything. I do try to just put up and get one but it’s not always that easy.
Glad they helped you with yours, and I hope it stays good for you.
Nikki
Hi Nikki,
just wanted to let you know how very sorry I am to hear of your loss. My two sit on the bed with me and have not complained when they have to spend so much time with me so I fully understand your heartbreak.
Can’t help with your lung problem as I am still very breathless and my scan showed no evidence of disease there. I think maybe the lungs are weakened with the rt plus in my case I think my liver is pushing it!
Really hope you are soon feeling better.
Love Debsxxx
Hi Nikki
I need a break from gemcitabine due to rising dodgy blood results, and my onc is suggesting that, if my next scan shows stable results, I try oral metronomic cyclophosphamide. Perhaps this is a treatment you can discuss with your onc?
Jennyxx
Also, very sorry about your dog. My onc knew our dog (who we lost in Jan) and was quite concerned yesterday when I explained our loss. I am so sorry for you and yours, and I am sure Mr Duncan Barker will be showing Sasha the postmans ankles as we speak.
Take care,
Jennyx
Hi Nikki
I can’t help with your questions about the problems with your cough and other symptoms but I did want to add my words about your dog. It is so upsetting losing a close pet and I’m sure you will be sad and miss her for a long time. I cried my heart out when my little cat was run over a couple of years ago and really grieved for her. I hope Sasha is indeed running around in the celestial fields, hopefully not chasing my Jet 
Take care and I also hope your treatment does work and any scans show no real problems.
Nicky x
Hi Debs, thank you. it’s bloody hard right now. All the first, first time home and she didn’t come to greet me etc. Time wil heal, and I will see her at the Bridge eventually, I know that.
Sorry you are also having breathing problems on top of everything else, I would think all these treatments and the things that go in inside us get to the point where it impacts us, I hope you feel better soon as well.
Hugs
Nikki
Hi Jenny, thanks for the information and the tip. I think my bloods have been ok thus far, the peg certainly boosts me after the Tax / Gem cycle. Eventually it has to wear down our capacity though doesn’t it. I hope that the change helps with your symptoms, and with little side effects as well.
Thanks about Sasha too, yours name made me smile, I am sure they are up there, but Sasha will mostly be growling at all other dogs, she was never very tolerant of any that weren’t ‘her’ pack bless her.
Best wishes
Nikki
Hi Nicky, thank you for posting and I am so sorry you lost your cat like that, it’s so hard to lose our babies. I am very sad and I keep bursting into tears when I think about all the things Sasha would have been doing (sleeping or eating mostly) but especially all the first, like opening the front door and no Sasha to greet me with a toy in her mouth. The others miss her to I am sure, they certainly know the spot where she laid down that final time.
I will see her again, and you will see your cat too, I am sure of that.
Best wishes
Nikki