Terrified, Coughing up Blood

[Mjr333]

I have been reading some of the posts on this forum, I think you are all incredulously brave. So what's wrong with me? I seem to be in a very tight grip of fear since coughing up bright red blood 3 days ago, I also have pain in my chest too yet I am terrified to seek medical help. I can't stop crying because I know it's my own fault, whatever is wrong with me I've brought on myself by being a 20 a day smoker! I now hate myself for being so selfish, I have 3 beautiful daughters and 6 adorable grandchildren & now I am fearing the worst outcome! Can anybody tell me what the symptoms of lung cancer are? Please don't have a go at me, I am truly terrified. Thank you (My 1st post) Maria

[Hidden]

Hi sorry to read about tough time your having.

I would not think worse as could be infection and coughing a lot could cause blood SO i wouldnot panic just yet thinking worse.

But you do need to see your doctor because if infection will get worse so you wont be helping your self.

As to smoking this more none smokers get cancer AS to symptoms lots of healthy people don't even know or had cancer until discovered.

All this panicking will be doing you know good

I would go docs settle your mind as you cant live like that

[Mjr333 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Jeff, your words were comforting & made me feel better. I got frightened when I saw the blood, but now like u said - it might just be an infection😑 If I go to my GP, will she be able to tell me straight away or would I have to go to hospital for tests? I really do not like hospitals, plus the smell that lingers in the air is nauseating! I've had a bad flu for the last 3 weeks. The pain in my chest is constant & I feel incredulously weak & sleepy all the time. I've also got pain in my left collar bone - are these symptoms of lung cancer? Once again Jeff thank you for your reply, it really does help knowing you care. Maria

[Hidden in reply to Mjr333]

Hi Mjr333

Infections can cause plaura pain and all coughing pulls all guts muscles.

Am sure you just got rank infection doing rounds.

Doc will give you antibiotics and do xrsy just to make sure as smoker we get better preventative care than none smokers AS we are classed as high risk.

But i would not worry as more than likely infection.

[hm69ruby in reply to Hidden]

Exactly! Never been good at short answers But you are spot on I hope

[Mjr333 in reply to Hidden]

I've got a card from my GP who told me not to dwell on the negatives and instead focus on the here and now and attend hospital to get an X-ray. I will let you know how I get on 😊

[Faith17]

Hi Maria....God bless you with strenght and comfort. First have you been to your doctor? Have you had a cat scan done? Which is how cancer is detected in the lung. Sometimes spiting up blood could be pnemonia. My husband was recently in the hospital for pnemonia and was spitting blood. I was diagnosed with NSCL in July 2016, was a smoker I never had any pain or symptoms. It was detected during my yearly physical. I had lung lobectomy surgery and praise God did not need chemotherapy just follow up by oncologist and pain doctor. O yes, after cat scan a pet scan was also done. Maria please go to your doctor asap. In the meantime my prayers out to you🙏😘 keep us posted good luck

[Mjr333 in reply to Faith17]

Hi Faith, is this your real name, if so you have a beautiful name which seems so apt after your struggles, you are really brave. I haven't been to my GP yet, thank you for answering my question, how one detects cancer. I have had the flu for 3 weeks, I lost my voice completely! Also the pain I have is in the region of my left lung. I also have constant pain in my left collar bone. I'm so weak and sleepy all the time, I'm finding it difficult typing this post because I keep drifting off to sleep. Faith thank you kindly for your beautiful words of comfort, I keep praying to God that I will be OK, maybe it is pneumonia?? Yes I will go see my GP. Sounds like you have been down a terrible road yourself, my heart goes out to you. My prayers are right back at you for a speedy recovery for both you and your husband too. My thoughts are with you both. What is a pet scan? Kind regards Maria xx

[Faith17]

A pet scan an imaging test that allows ur doctors to check for diseases in your body. A scan uses a special dye that has radioactive traces to dectect cancer etc. I'm praying you get better soon and be able to go to your GP. By the way my name is Norma i just thought it was an appropriate name for this site. Get well soon Maria

[Mjr333 in reply to Faith17]

Hi Norma, even this your real name Norma is so apt today because I want to hear from my Dr that I am Norma-l

My GP came out to see me and has given me a card to attend the x-ray department at my local hospital. I will let you know how I get on, I pray to God that I am normal. Thank you Norma 😉

[Clofto]

I know how you feel. I started coughing up blood in June 2015 and very scared. I went to the doctor and it did come back that I had cancer. it is better for you if they can get treatment started. Please don't delay any longer. Smoking is a difficult to overcome . Don't beat yourself up. I had not smoked for 9 years when I was diagnosed. I had guilt and blamed myself too. Hang in there

[Mjr333 in reply to Clofto]

Hi

I am so grateful for your reply and thank you for your experiences letting me know how I should seek medical int

[Mjr333 in reply to Mjr333]

Oops! I hit the wrong key!

....... Intervention. My GP came to visit me and has now given me a card to attend the x-ray department at my local hospital. I am so sorry to hear you have lung cancer. How are you now? It is a terrifying time. I am praying for a good result. I also pray you are alright too. Thank you ☺

[Texas64]

Maria, Quit blaming yourself. Call your dr. Immediately. I agree with other replies, sounds like bad infection. Maria if it is cancer there are many new wonderful treatments out there for lung cancer. Lung cancer doesn't have to be a death sentence. Terrified is something we all have experienced, ask your dr for antidepressants. They will help with fear and anxiety. Pray. Many of us will be praying for you. Texas64

[Mjr333 in reply to Texas64]

Hi

Aawh! What a lovely caring message you sent me - thank you! I am actually crying now, they are tears of immense gratitude, this community is so lovely and caring. My GP did visit me and has given me a card to attend the x-ray department at my local hospital. I will let you know how I get on. Thank you for helping me, I do believe in the power of prayer too 😉

[Texas64 in reply to Mjr333]

Hi Maria. I hope you are feeling better today. Get out in the sunshine, be with friends and family who are supportive. Go to the show, shopping, out to eat. Do normal things. It is important for your immune system to have positive experiences. Find something that makes you laugh. Be around people who love you and will pray with you and for you. I am going to give you a wonderful gift that my sisters and brothers in Christ gave me. "Prayers carry the power of Heaven". Think how powerful and glorious this promise is. That one sentence got me through so much mental pain and anxiety during treatment. Fight this demon with all you have. Talk to it and tell it " die cancer and go to hell where you belong!" Stay positive and pray, pray , pray. God Bless.

[FtB_Peggy]

Maria,

Thank you so much for joining our community and sharing your feelings with us.

I completely agree with everyone else, please do NOT feel guilty. We are human, we make choices as we move through life and we have our reasons. Cancer (for you, if you were to have it, and anyone else) is not a judgement, it is a disease, and anyone with lungs can get it. So please let that go. I feel absolutely sure that you have done the best you can in your life.

Secondly, as you know, you really have no idea if you have cancer or something else. See your doctor now, get the answers you need! Your fear can become strength that will help you battle whatever it is; infections can absolutely wipe out all your energy and cause you to cough up blood, and the sore muscles and bones can be because of all that coughing you have been doing. Infections can make us ache all over. You need to find out what is going on and take care of it, please. You are dear to your family and everyone else because you are the only you! Take care of you.

Please let us know what you find out! We will all be thinking about you and waiting to hear - you are most definitely not alone.

You can do this!

[Mjr333 in reply to FtB_Peggy]

OMG! I have been crying since reading my former reply from Texas64 and then I read your reply - my tears are now gushing down my cheeks upon reading your comments. I have already said what a lovely caring community this site is and for this alone I now want to get help to find out what is wrong with me. My GP has been to my house and has given me a card to attend the x-ray department at my local hospital. I will let all my dear new friends in this community know as soon as I find out my results. The compassion, empathy and heartfelt care I have received since posting my concern yesterday has overwhelmed me but above all the strength and bravery from the lovely people in this community is immeasurable! Thank you once again I pray that God will not let it be sinister and I pray too for all the courageous caring, lovely people in this community that they will overcome their obstacles. Maria 💙💚💛💜🌼🌻🌺💐🌸🌹💮

[Lisamk55]

Hi Maria,

Do not feel guilty! Coughing up blood can be caused by many things and pneumonia. It's best to get checked out and treated if you have an infection. I know it's scary, because sometimes we fear what the outcomes will be. I know how nerve wracking tests and scans can be. I go through it with my dad.

You can do this!! Be brave.

Prayers coming your way!

[Mjr333 in reply to Lisamk55]

Hi Lisa I am in floods of tears right now because along with yourself I am overwhelmed by the support, compassion and caring lovely people in this community. My GP has been to see me at my home and has given me a card to attend the x-ray department at my local hospital. I am still a bit scared but I now know I have all the lovely people, including yourself who have given me the final push I needed to get through this. I will pray for you too that God will bless you and keep you strong for your Dad and he will overcome this, the angel Raphael I have asked for him to be there for you and your Dad. Take good care Lisa and as soon as I get my results I will let you know. Cuddles 💛💚💙💜😉

[Lisamk55 in reply to Mjr333]

Hi Maria,

Thanks for the kind words. You are not alone. This type of fear is like none other. I try to remember that whatever the outcome is, we can't change it. We can only change the path we need to make sure you get through whatever it is! I tell my dad that all the time. You are brave! you got this!

I'm 28 years old and my dad is my best friend. Seeing him be scared or worried about all he's going through saddens me, but I know that with our support and endless hope he will be okay. God has his hand on him just as he does on you! I've sent prayers your way and will continue them.

Please keep us posted on the results. We are always here.

With love

Lisa

[hm69ruby]

dear mjr333, while I am not a doctor and you should see one despite your guilt. Everyone is different; keeping that in mind, I want to share my story to you so you can know you are not alone. I had to go to the emergency in 2013 for coughing up blood, and I mean alot, really viscous like oil. I accidently gagged myself with my toothbrush that morning. After a violent coughing fit, it was about 2 cups of blood. Yes, I was terrified. Now when I got to the hospital, they did find a tumor on my left lung. I was also diagnosed with COPD, because yes I was a smoker for 30 yrs. So, in hind site, the blood actually was caused by pneumonia on top of bronchitis, and yes lung cancer. But, in todays medicine, doctors are under pressure and time limitations I guess, so you don't get solid answers on what caused what unless you ask, which in those moments you don't quite think so well to think of asking. What I am saying is take time to go to the doctor. It could be COPD. They can tell in minutes by doing a simply xray. I'm not saying you don't have cancer. I'm saying stay positive and if it is the c word, don't settle for being told you are terminal. In my case, while I still have cancer, I got a second opinion and after a year of treatment and the left lung removed, I am doing fine for now despite breathing problems from the copd. The doctor who gave me a death sentence ( and I would have died in a month or less if I hadn't had the second opinion) I believe she thought I would not quit smoking. There are huge stigmas attached and I guess she thought it was useless to try to save me. Pooh on people that want to judge anyone. My lifesaving doctor admitted he smoked himself back in 1969. Everybody did back in the day. So who knows if it's actually your fault? You have probably been exposed to second hand all of your life; I know I have. You can't watch a movie or tv without seeing someone light up. I alway would say "I'm going to die of something, I might as well do what I want" WRONG. You do not want to die this way. Your whole body relies on oxygen. After a year of patches, and 6 mos of chantix, I have quit. The hardest thing you will ever have to kick, but think of your children and grandbabies. They need you

Anyway, don't panic...quit smoking. Don't kid yourself with vaping either. It's just as bad. Just get into the Doc's office and find out what you're up against. What doesn't kill you will make you stronger. Think of those babies and commit to quit. I wish you the best of luck. You have picked a great site to get support. I didn't know about this site. I scared myself to death by searching on the net., I would always look up similar situations, and of course the sites that are out there are advertisements for cancer centers. I would say to myself but yeah where are they now. They are probably dead now...

Important survival techniques:

You are you and no matter how much you search for the answer, each case is different based on how healthy you are in general before you go thru treatment. Find your passion to live. Don't waste a minute on worry, it will only bring you down. One day at a time. Please let us know how you are doing. There are people here that help you thru the hard times. Good luck and God Bless.

[Mjr333 in reply to hm69ruby]

Dear hm69ruby

I am now a blubbering wreck after reading the replies to my post and I then read yours. I felt a strong connection with you as I read your harrowing story, you have certainly been through the wars. How did you know the first doc you saw wasn't suitable? Was it a gut reaction or was it her attitude towards you? If and at the moment it's a big if I got the 'C' thing I don't know if I could be as strong as you were should I get a 'Naff' doc. I am not forceful enough to demand anything for myself. This is because all my life I have been subject to abuse as a child and in every relationship I have ever had. In August 2003 I was thrown out of my apartment window by my now EX husband after I found out he was cheating on me with a 15 year old girl! I fell 30 feet, by all accounts I shouldn't be here. I was resuscitated in the ambulance on route to the hospital when my heart stopped! I sustained 12 broken bones in both sides of my pelvis, my right hip, my right ankle and heel, both sides of my sacrum, my right arm and 3 lower vertebrae. I was hospitalised for 15 weeks. My health isn't good because I am now registered severely disabled, I suffer with Chronic pain, Fibromyalgia, Ulcerative Colitis, Hiatus Hernia, Ostopenia, Barratts disease and dreadful migraines! I really don't need anymore ailments. What I am trying to say is should I have anything sinister, I don't think I am physically strong enough to carry another cross. Plus in January I had a meltdown when my GP was visiting me, it was because of all the news footage starting with Jimmy Saville, then the Catholic priests, then the young girls in the town where I lived were being groomed by a group of taxi drivers, then the football coaches, it seemed all these abhorrent crimes were seeping out of the woodwork. I could no longer keep a lid on the abuse I suffered as a child, I was getting night terrors and flashbacks. My GP was brilliant and referred me for Psychotherapy for P.T.S.D. I had my assessment on 1st Feb and she now has referred me to a specialist trauma team for E.M.D.R. I am having to prepare myself now to face the most abhorrent time of my life, then I go and cough up blood. I have fought so hard that I sit and sometimes ask God why? Why do you keep chucking stuff at me? I am exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally. I recall that prayer walking with God side by side - Footsteps in the Sand. I asked God why is it when I am going through the worst time in my life do I only see one set of footprints? God answered - That was when I carried you. I believe God has been there constantly through the bad times in my life but admittedly I have days where I feel hopeless!

I am now reading a book by Louise Hays who has helped me get strong, but when I feel I am getting there I get another curve ball chucked at me. As soon as I get my results I will let all the lovely people on this site know including yourself. I hope I haven't bored you and I sincerely pray you will overcome the obstacles you are facing 😉 MY HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU! 💙💚💛💜💙💚💛💜💙💚💛💜💙💚💛💜💙

With love Maria x

[hm69ruby in reply to Mjr333]

Hi Maria, Sorry It took me so long to bet back here. I hope that all of these experiences have brought you strength. Your story is incredible and not boring. Just remember, with God all things are possible! and I am not religious nut or anything, but sometimes you need to know to stay strong. You've got this. After everything else that has happened to you, I am sure you are strong like a bull As for how I knew to change doctors...I believe everything happens for a reason, good or bad. A personal job for an oncologist was dropped in my lap, at the time I didn't realize this was a message to not accept the horrible diagnosis the first doc gave me. The minute I had to call in sick, he reached out to all of his doc friends and made everything fall into place. I would have not fought if it wasn't for him. My mother died of breast cancer and brain mets, and before I ever felt sick, I said I would never go thru what she did. Fortunately, even now the med people have advanced so much, even since I was diagnosed. It doesn't have to be a death sentence any more. Try researching the gene stuff. But it could be a simple reason for blood. Have faith sweetheart, you haven't got to this place in your life to give up <3 Much love and prayers to you!

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

You never know how much strength you have until the need for it has passed. As a parent you've already discovered this-you can use that inner strength to get past this as well.

One statistic that you don't get easily with Dr Google is that 85% of smokers don't get lung cancer. That doesn't rule out heart disease, other cancers and other conditions-just addressing lung cancer.

[FtB_Peggy]

Hi Maria,

You are a survivor. You are unbelievably strong. You can do this, whatever it is, because you have already proven, over and over, how strong you are. Hang on to the sweetness of your loved ones, calm that PTSD with the help you so wisely sought out, and figure out this cough thing! Honestly, you can do it, you are clearly fighting the good fight! Keep talking to us!

Hugs,

Peggy

[BrigidK]

I know exactly what you are going through, i actually coughed up a tumor! It took me some time to face my fear and deal with the problem. You will find your strength and charge head first at the enemy! Whatever it is please don't blame yourself. It is a waste of much needed energy. Good luck.

[Hidden]

Maria my name is Susie and I'm here to help you. I will be there for you,with all of us together no matter what happens we will be beside you. None of us will that you be alone. We care Maria. If it happens to not be cancer we would still want to hear from you. So welcome if you need anything at all let us know. This is a good place to be and everyone here is just great. Peggy is really great she's here for all of us. So like everyone else let us know what is going on. I will pray for you. With love Susie

[hm69ruby in reply to Hidden]

You are an angel <3

[Hidden]

Ruby how much blood now please answer me.

[Hidden]

IS anyone hearing about Ruby coughing and blood. she contacted me,when I asked how much blood all she could say was your an angel. she's not replying. I don't know if she's having problems that need looked at or not. how else

[Keneki123]

I suggest seeing your doctor and asking for a low dose CT scan . I have lung cancer and I was recently diagnosed with blood coughing also . I am having surgery tomorrow so there are treatments out there .

[Jewilliams]

Please go to the doctor. It doesn't matter about the smoking