Looking for answers

[Sunday15]

My mom went to the emergency room because she was having trouble breathing and coughing a lot.. they sent her home and told her she had bronchitis. (I saw the paperwork)

A week later she went back for the same problem.. they admitted her and she continued to tell me it was bronchitis.

A week later she went back for the same problem but they said it was COPD. (I saw the paperwork)

Then she went on to tell me they told her she has a mass on her lungs but she won't give me any other information.(I didn't see any paperwork on this) I told her we need to find a pulmonary doctor to find out more and she told me the emergency room doctor said to wait six months... does this sound right to anyone?

[Hidden]

So sorry to hear you are going through this very worrying time. I am no expert but I would say please go to your GP who will then refer you on to the best consultant. Don't leave it as if it is cancer, and it might not be, then the sooner you can get treatment under way the better. I wish you and your Mom all the best.

[Dadog]

If they won't explain the 'mass' and tell you to wait 6 months - unacceptable. Valpayne is right...time to go see your GP. Good luck.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Sunday15

I am sorry to hear your mums diagnosis. I am assuming she had a chest XRay if she was told that she has a mass on her lungs.If this is the case in line with good practice guidelines she should be referred to see a Chest Physician(who is part of a multidisciplinary care team) usually within two weeks. Your mum's GP will have been sent a copy of the clinical examination which was carried out on each occasion she went to accident and emergency department as well as the reports from any investigations and tests she had.Your GP will discuss the results with both you and your mum(assuming your mum agrees to you having access to her medical information).

If the chest specialist thinks your mum may have lung cancer, she will be offered other tests. These will give information about the site and size of any cancer and how much it has spread (the stage). While these tests are being carried out her healthcare team will assess how well her lungs and heart are working (her fitness). This will help them to decide which treatments to offer her.

Please don't hesitate to contact the nurse led Helpline if you want to talk to someone:Freephone 0800 358 7200.

Kind regards,

All the team at the Roy Castle Helpline.