PATCH ON LUNG

At this present time my wife has had numerous tests after finding a dark patch on her left ling during a routine x-ray the very first one she has ever had at aged 69. Then a CT scan and nothing conclusive and a bronchoscopy last Thursday with nothing further, other than to say there appears to be a small pocket near the top of her left lung with a little hole in it where they had to wash the area to capture cells to biopsy. Could be an old or recent infection, the remains of a bad chest cold TB or Cancer. She had her letter the day after the bronchoscopy calling her back to clinic on 11th for the results.

She has no symptoms, no cough, chest wheezes, phlegm, nothing. Her last very bad cold and chest infection was in January - just like millions of others who were told not to go to Doctors since there was no medication to help such an event.

We are just the same as anyone else with this damned wait which could lead to so many life changing events. Funny thing, this all began with a burning tingling sensation in soles of feet with the tops of the feet being really cold. Not circularity nor myopathy or diabetes, so the tests began. She is also planned to have an echo next week for everyone indicated a possible heart problem UNTIL the routine x-ray. I know we are no different to anyone else it's the thought of 46 years marriage and losing my best friend that really hurts. I know all about posativity and being there for her and never losing hope but find it so hard to put all that into place and move on! My wife cares for her aged mother and I know that takes a toll, but I have to accept this for what it is and will not change.

The very last thing I need is sympathy ( a good friend of mine replied well if you ever do you will always find it in the OED (dictionary) where sympathy can be found between shit and syphilis! Sorry if I offend )) and would welcome any feedback regarding recent tests, prognosis, suggestions - and fully understand the limitations of anyone's answer - just looking for similarities, what ever the outcomes. Thank you all in anticipation.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi,

I can imagine the uncertainty of it all must be hard to bear as this is a very frustrating and anxious time waiting for the bronscopy results. The specialists will discuss the results with you both on the 11th July and explore what treatment options are available for your wife.

Please don’t hesitate to call our nurse led Helpline Freephone 0800 358 7200 if there is anything you would like to discuss after your hospital appointment.

This is a very good support forum where you can discuss your concerns with others who have been in similar circumstances.

Kind regards,

All the team at the Roy Castle Helpline

[Hidden in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

I never expected such a kind and positive reply. Thank you so much.

[Babydolltina]

Ticking Ticker, Good Luck for the results. The wait is hell,even in Birmingham where we are. My wife was diagnosed in Feb 19 with Small Cell Lung Cancer after her biopsy. The results were back in 3 days with an appointment for that day. Whatever your outcome there WILL be help so dont get down. It will take the two of you to be strong to get through whatever it is. Good Luck and keep strong!

[Hidden in reply to Babydolltina]

After 46 years together, I WILL NOT let her down now - many thanks for the encouragement - it must be so difficult for you all - thank you

[Babydolltina in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Ticking, I hope it goes well for your wife. You need to make sure you don't neglect yourself also.

[Nimrod2]

Hi

You need to keep positive. There is lots of help and support available. Please use it. Since my husbands diagnosis 14 months ago it hasnt been easy. But with help from the specialist nurse , oncologist, chemo team, radiotherapy staff, psychologist and friends we can celebrate our 48th anniversary today. Good luck.

[JanetteR57 in reply to Nimrod2]

enjoy your anniversary - sometimes these setbacks in life make us appreciate even more what really matters in life. congratulations.

[Nimrod2 in reply to JanetteR57]

Absolutely. We try to make the most of each day we have. Thank you.

[Hidden in reply to Nimrod2]

My heart felt best wished to you both and thank you for your sincerity

[Nimrod2 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. We are here to support each other. I have found this space very helpful over the last few weeks.

[JanetteR57]

Sorry to read of your situation and anxiety and agree with your approach - finding out trusted information can help you understand better. As the doctor has said, some of the situation could be left from previous infections/inflammation so not always the situation we fear. I had half my left lung removed in December 2010 and diagnosed in Jan 2011 with lung cancer - like your wife I had symptoms that I'd only taken over the counter meds for and then went to A&E as felt 'not right' when the 'lesion' as mine was called, showed up on x-ray. It took months to get tested and a month after surgery almost before diagnosis. I was back at work and swimming 3 months later and live an active life. I have been hospitalised several times since then for various chest infections, pneumonia, healthcare acquired infection pseudomonas and this January isolated for respiratory virus. None of them thankfully turned out to be 'sinister'. Hang on in there - and once you know what you're dealing with, then you can work out a game plan with your clinicians. The Roy Castle lung cancer website has a mine of information in plain English that explains the different types and treatments but until you have a diagnosis, it could be all manner of things. I've also recently had echo and various heart tests as my breathlessness was really bad and I was unable to do everyday activities including swimming. I've stopped a new inhaler that I had taken twice a day for 3 months (started in January) and many of the symptoms have gone... my dad has recently been for heart tests as we thought he needed a stent (he did when he had bowel surgery for cancer 3 years ago) only to find out that the medication he'd been put on have not only done the job but also damaged the heart causing a leaking heart valve so he's had to stop the medication immediately and wait 3 weeks to get it out of his system before other tests . Sometimes meds along with other conditions cause symptoms that might appear sinister but may turn out not to be. whatever, I'm sure you'll be there for her - take care.

[Savanna01]

After a chest CT in April of this year revealed a 2.2 cm lesion of irregular opacity on the left lower lobe of my lung I was referred to have an urgent PET scan. This revealed the shadow as being 'active' cells or 'hot' indicative of cancer or inflammation/infection. The consultants were quite sure it was cancer as the lesion hadn't changed shape or size in 8 weeks as one might expect from infection. I then had a CT guided needle biopsy and the one week wait for the results was agonising!

Despite being warned otherwise Dr Google was my best friend (or not!) and I was preparing myself for the worst. Like your wife, I'd had no cough and my last chest infection was also in January. It was quite a severe one, lasting 3 weeks. I'd suffered from repeated chest infections on and off for the last 10 years following a really bad car accident years ago which resulted in a traumatic pneumothorax to the same lung. But, the consultants didn't seem to think this was significant as the lesion didn't appear to be old scarring etc. They were convinced it was a carcinoma.

After an emotional week I finally got the call that the biopsy revealed a regular granulomatous and non- granulomatous inflammation on the CT biopsy . No malignancy! I had a bronchoscopy with lung wash on Monday to rule out a sarcoid an and test for infection, TB etc. I'm still waiting for those results.

Waiting for results is very tough and I know easier said than done, but please hang in there. Even if the news is not what you want to hear, treatments are so advanced these days. I was told that even if it were the worse case scenario of carcinoma I would still be looking at a curable disease. Best of luck. Please keep us posted.