Hi everyone, Just wondering if anyone else has had the same problem. I started becoming slightly breathless about 4 weeks ago which was worrying as I,m pretty fit and only a little overweight. I wasnt sure if it was all in my mind, anyway about 10 days ago it became worse and I also had a tight feeling in my chest that comes and goes. I spoke to GP who said it was very unlikely to be cancer as only 7 month since my Chemo ended and 5 months since last Rads but would refer me for a chest xray. As I had an Onc appointment a few days later I was told that my Onc would have the results. A shadow has been found on the lung ( you can imagine what I thought) . The Onc said that doesnt look like cancer and rather like inflamation which could be side effects from the Rads. She also said that could be a blood clot from Tamoxifen.
Anyway I,ve been sent away with steroids, bloods taken and another xray in a month time. I asked if I should have a scan and she said it wasnt necessary.
Should I be worried and if it is a clot and what would the treatment be ?
Hope everyone is OK , I dont have much time to come on here now since back to work. Love to you all
Andrea xx
Hi Andrea
sorry cant help, but I noticed it is 6hrs since you posted I am sure you will get help soon.
I have a shadow on my lung but was told it was left from pnewmonia (sorry cant spell it) that I had 9 years ago.
Try notto worry.
Please call our helpline and speak to one of our specialist nurses about the concerns you have, they can offer you support, information and a ‘listening ear’. The number to call is 0808 800 6000 weekdays 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-2pm.
Personally I would not be happy with the way you have been treated.
I don’t know how you go about it but i would ‘demand’ a CT or MRI scan.
I dont want to frighten you but blood clots on the lung as far as i know need immediate treatment.
I dont think the onc should be guessing at this stage but keen to find out exactely what they are dealing with.
Just my own opinion and what i would want if i was in your position.
Just had a call from Onc and she is not happy with my blood results and wants me to have an urgent scan ( not sure what type) So I,m a bit worried. She also said that I would get the results straight away and to expect a hospital stay if it is a clot, So to bring my things in. Just when you think that you are on the road to recovery something like this happens. I suppose if it is a clot I,ll be taken off tamoxifen just when I,ve adjusted to it and my hot flushes have settled down. Bummer !
Anyway I suppose its not the end of the world and it may be something minor.
If its any help it was found that Lisa my daughter had some small clots on her lung some months ago and was told not to get over worried because chemo can cause it even though it was a few months since she finished chemo and added that it was quite common. They gave her clexane injections … a type of heparin. They showed her how to do them herself and within weeks she had another scan which showed no clots left. If I remember correctly they told her to take an aspirin the first day and then she started clexane the day after.
Sue x
Thats made me feel alot better. It may not be a blood clot but something was high in the blood test that suggest it may be. I have a scan at 11am tomorrow.
How kind of you to still support us on here Sue after everything your family have been through. I read some of your posts and I was shocked and so sad that you lost your daughter. I nearly sent you a message but could not think of the right words. Thank you again and best wishes to you and your family.
Had my scan, Its not a blood clot, but looks like just inflammation from Radiotherapy. So keep on taking steroids and another xray in a month. So good news. Another excuse for a glass of wine or 3.
Lots of love Andrea xx
Great news. It’s so scary when they start talking about wanting to do something urgently, and very hard not to conclude it must be very serious - but of course they are just being careful and looking after us all!
Hi Andrea,
I hve onlyjust picked up this thread - but great news, although it really must have been worrying at the time.
How is work going?
I think that by now you have probably been away on holiday, am I right or have you still got that to look forward to?
Love
Magsi x
I went on Holiday on the 30th May for 8 days. Bermuda is really lovely, its green and lush and hot with gorgeous beaches with pink sand, The people are very friendly. The only downside is that it is very expensive about £3 for a loaf of bread, I suppose its because its 600 miles from anywhere so lots of things are imported. We were staying with an old friend who has lived and worked there for many years so we didnt spend that much. We could not have afforded to stay in a hotel and eat out all the time. The Kids loved it too and my OH who hates flying says he might go back next year.
I turned 40 last week and my family clubbed together and got us a night in a hotel and tickets for the theatre in London ( without the kids ) so that was great as well. I was really spoiled.
Works not bad but I,m struggling abit with the new systems and new work that we do, everyone is helping me when I ask and supporting me so Its ok. The girls at work made a fuss too for my birthday with balloons and a cake and pressies. Back to earth with a bump especially when I thought I might have health problems again.
Its poured down all day here and my 11yr old daughter is camping with the Guides near Barnard Castle so goodness knows what state she,ll be in when she comes back. My washer will be working overtime tomorrow.
Anyway nice to hear from you again
Lots of love Andrea xx
It sounds as though you had a really great time Andrea, perhaps I ought to put Bermuda on my ‘wish list’
And a belated ‘Happy Birthday’ for last week. What lovely celebrations, what did you see in London. I’m afraid I take the place for granted living here.
Work’s hard at first isn’t it?, apart from the physical tiredness of going to a job and doing it, there are always something new that has been introduced or is about to be introduced. Its sounds as though people have been supportive which is great.
Hope your daughter enjoyed her camping, I expect she will have a brilliant time whether it rains or shines.
I’m about 10+ years further on from you, so its two boys returning with washing from uni, so another washing machine working overtime.
Two weeks to the end of my term, and there is yet that perk of the job to look forward to - the school trip. Coaches booked, everyone has paid, now just the sunshine to order and Paradise Wildlife Park here we come!!!
Have a great summer
Lots of love
Magsi x
We saw The Sound of Music. I used to love it when I was a kid and someone got me the video. I put it on once for my daughter when she was about 4 and she loved it so much that it was on 3 times a day everyday. So I got a bit fed up with it you could say. Anyway one of my sisters must have organised it knowing that i liked it when i was a kid. I knew we were going to a show and hoped it would be Mama Mia or Les Miserables but never mind we enjoyed it. We stayed at the Marlborough in Bloomsbury and it was really nice even though it had bad reviews on the internet, and we went to the Natural History museum and the V and A. So we had a lovely time.
Picked up my daughter from Guide camp and she looked like she had spent the weekend at Glastonbury. She said she had been washed but i very much doubt it. Her flannel and towel were dry and so was her toothbrush. All her clothes were splashed with mud but she seems to have enjoyed it. Poor things they had torrential rain for 2 days and they were in the middle of nowhere in a field. I forgot to put on the forms that she is a vegetarian so they gave her hotdogs on Friday night, the poor thing was so worried that she would be hungry that she ate them.
Anyway enjoy your trip and hope the weather is better than at Guide camp. Never mind you have a lovely bit of time off coming soon. Love Andrea xx
Andrea68 Have a look at the lung disease sight covering the topic…COP/BOOP
After my rads in 2009 I started getting breathless got pneumonia and wouldnt respond to any type of antibiotic. To cut a long story short after an open lung biopsy I was diagnosed with COP. They said it could have been the rads but wouldnt say for certain.
Some people can get over it with a long course of Prednisolone (steroids) but others like my self relapse when they are stopped.
I have been fighting this now for 6 years, I am still very ill and it has been worse that the breast cancer ever was!