Approximately how long did you have he... - Lung Cancer Support
Approximately how long did you have health concern(s) or symptom(s) before contacting a doctor?
Cardiac tamponade (fluid in the sac around my heart) was my first indication of lung cancer. Fluid from around my heart tested positive for cells indicative of lung cancer.
I was getting upper respiratory infections twice a year for over 4 years my primary doctor would always give me a z-pack and it took it away. This time I went to an urgent care who gave me a chest x-ray thought it was round pneumonia recommending a CT scan. It was the CT scan that showed it was not round pneumonia it was a mass.
went to emergency room with pneumonia,discovered the lung cancer
Kept losing weight and generally felt ill. CT followed by a needle biopsy confirmed lung cancer. What a merry ride it's been ever since!!!
I coughed up blood once when pregnant and told my doctor right away. We did a chest xray and it came back clear. The following year, I had been having some breathing issues which we assumed was asthma or allergies. Then I started coughing up blood again, only worse this time. Went to Urgent Care over the Thanksgiving weekend- they did another xray which came back clear. They sent me home with an inhaler. The episodes worsened so I saw my dr on Monday who ordered a bronchoscope for the next morning. That was when they found it.
I think many of us have general enough symptoms (if any) that are easily explained as being something else, particularly if there is not a significant smoking history. It is not until symptoms become more dramatic that further invasive tests get ordered and the true cause is discovered. Like many people, I had thought I wasn't at risk, so I wasn't overly concerned and never dreamed it would be cancer.
No symptoms for me, I just requested a chest exray because I had not had one for several years. That is when my journey started ...
