3 appointment letters

[del101]

Hi

I have had a chest x-ray on Tuesday and was called back into the GP’s on Wed to be told I have a small shadow on my lung ( I had been getting shortness of breath when walking for 10 mins but was then able to walk through it ) I have now received an appointment for a cat scan on Tues evening , a letter to see the consultant for the results the following day but also an appointment for a Joint and lung clinic the following Tuesday . Has anyone had this kind of triple appointments’ before . I'm not ashamed to say I am at my wits end with worry .

[peege]

Hi, I know it's easy to say don't worry but I would be so pleased to be getting good treatment, it's really great that you've these three appointments coming up - especially the CT scan.

Perhaps some breathing techniques will help with the anxiety. That's what I do plus eating as well as possible to keep up strength. When negative thoughts are taking over I tell them to clear off (only much ruder than that)!

Good luck, let us know how you get on. Hundreds here will understand your worries. P

[Time_2_drink]

I know how worried you must be but a positive is that your health care people are doing the job they are suppossed to do and getting to the route of your problems believe me good care is hard to come by in some authorities. Wishing you well for all your appointments .

[2greys]

I do not think it is unusual at all. Often one condition can lead to others too, don't worry about it. I went through a year of repeated appointments that averaged one every 3 weeks, which was a real pain in the butt. Apart from the time off from work, I do not drive and faced with a 5 mile trip each way to the hospital via public transport.

You should feel okay with the fact that they are making these checks, just in case. Most conditions are best treated when diagnosed early on, usually before you have any symptoms showing at all. I have a heart condition that I did not know about with no obvious symptoms (and still that way) for which I am now getting treatment for so I can continue exercising safely.

[2greys in reply to 2greys]

I will also add that none of the appointments were instigated by myself, they were all consultant referrals except the first one that was instigated by my GP, an example of proper care by the hospital, which has been a good thing for me given that copd is the first time I have needed medical assistance for 50 years and as such not conversant with such matters.

[del101]

I really want to thank you all for the positivity I am really grateful I am trying , even going with friends tomorrow to play golf for 2 days ( 1 good friend knows just in case I go a bit quite ) being the dad of a 15 year old is probable what on my mind as much as anything . I will certainly update this thread and no matter what , I will be coming on to try to help others .

again thanks to you all

[katieoxo60]

Hi Del101, this is quite a common reaction to an abnormalty on an xray. The speed is just in case it is serious, but most times shadows are not. I have had a shadow on my lung since 1989 to my knowledge, put down to damage from past infections. I do have COPD / asthma so still need xrays now and then, fingers crossed for you that it is not serious illness. Take Care

[Dedalus]

Its great you've been given these appointments - would be wonderful if everyone got that service. Best wishes for everything.

[judg69]

Del, wish we all had such good service with our medical providers. Just be glad you will now get the answers you need and subsequently the required medical care. Please let me know of the results as I will try to be of assistance in any way I can. Best Wishes, judg69

[dawniee2121]

ive had a shadow on my left lung for years turned out to be damaged tissue...please try not to worry..but recently they found a small tumour on my left lung...so i think they need to run tests which ive had done simular...to your appointments...but this tumour is nothink to do with the shadow...but its best to be safe than sorry...but ive had my shadow 17years... and my consultant said its caused my copd...recently only had asthma...but you are in safe hands...they do act fast for your well being....good luck hope this helps....

[del101]

Hi Thanks for all the kind words , 24 hours since I spoke to the consultant not all good not all bad . There are 2 shadows on my lung which in the opinion of the consultant and the radiologist are probably cancer . I'm now waiting for a pet scan for a more accurate reading which I hope will be later this week with a view to returning to the consultant next week for a treatment plan . At the moment both shadows are in the same part of the lung and they are away from the lung wall .So this is a positive . The consultant says that if all the assumption's are correct " he believes that it is curable so fingers crossed . Told my daughter last night extremely hard but had to be done .

To be honest I'm not sure if I'm in a daze or acceptance as I'm probably calmer ( generally ) now that before the consultation

Again thanks for the support and I will keep in touch