| | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP  Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 | So I've been sick off and on with upper respiratory stuff since January. Felt better by March after two rounds of antibiotics. Then in April started getting a funny feeling in my chest. Went to a walk in clinic and they diagnosed me with a sinus infection turning into bronchitis. Got another round of antibiotic. About a week later I saw my GP and everything seemed to be getting better. About two weeks later (last Wednesday) I started feeling worse (chest pain, shortness of breath, cough, funny sound on inhale) so I called the doctor and she ordered up an X-ray. The X-ray showed some fluid on my right lung and a broken rib just below my breast. Doc said don't panic (yeah right) it's probably pneumonia based on my other symptoms and ordered a follow up CT. I get the results of the CT today. Still have the fluid and it shows some pleural thickening. No tumors shown on the CT. Doc wants to drain the fluid and test it. Well I am freaking out. It has been almost 4 years since I was diagnosed but I know this damn disease can sneak up on you years later. She is still saying don't panic, this could all be due to infection. I've calmed down a little. It is what it is at this point. Just wanted to share, extra prayers won't help.
I've had no local recurrences up to this point, no lymph node recurrences. Had a chest X-ray just for follow up purposes in July 2013 that was clear. I know X-rays don't always show cancer though.
Has anyone ever heard of radiation to the neck causing symptoms such as these.
Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
31 @ Dx SCC of tongue right side May 27, 2011, no tobacco, light drink
Partial gloss. and ND June 2011 - 2 jaw nodes positive ("encapsulated")
33 rads ended 10/21/11.
Dx Non small cell lung cancer 05/18/15
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 | I am actually feeling better symptom wise today. Not much coughing. Breathing a little easier. Rib doesn't even hurt much.
Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
31 @ Dx SCC of tongue right side May 27, 2011, no tobacco, light drink
Partial gloss. and ND June 2011 - 2 jaw nodes positive ("encapsulated")
33 rads ended 10/21/11.
Dx Non small cell lung cancer 05/18/15
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | I'm curious if you've had any swallow studies. Sounds a lot like aspiration pneumonia. I get a lot of fluid in my left lung that started around year 7. I battle thrush that aspirates into the lung even and it gets into my sinuses like almost everything I drink. Breaking ribs from coughing isn't uncommon. I cough till I vomit and cough up an alarming amount of blood several days a week. I used to worry but quit that 2 or 3 years ago because it just got overwhelming.
I hope it resolves soon. For me, the toughest part of all of this is the difficulty breathing. I hate to hear of anyone going through that.
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 | The difficulty breathing sucks. I am normally pretty active. I love to walk and do 5ks regularly. I ave never had a swallow study. Although in the last few months I have noticed a couple of times where I have almost choked on food. I have to cut things in small bites and chew slowly. Aspiration pneumonia did cross my mind. And yes I have been coughing rather violently. Wasn't too surprised by the broken rib.
Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
31 @ Dx SCC of tongue right side May 27, 2011, no tobacco, light drink
Partial gloss. and ND June 2011 - 2 jaw nodes positive ("encapsulated")
33 rads ended 10/21/11.
Dx Non small cell lung cancer 05/18/15
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Good luck. Try not to worry. That brings some complications you don't need right now.
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Cherri79, I forgot to ask, are you nebulizing?
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 4 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 4 | Cherri my hubby had walking pneumonia... it happens. I have to say that it's HIGHLY UNLIKELY - since you are cancer free and have been for some time - that it is mets to the lungs.
It could be lung cancer (proper) however, I'm assuming you're not a smoker, don't work around second hand smoke, and don't work with carcinogenic chemicals. So the chances of that being the case are exceptionally slim. Usually these tumors are caught on an xray - and for you to be having that much trouble breathing etc... they would be noticeable on an xray.
I would be willing to bet you have pneumonia. Take your meds, take puffers, relax and heal.
It is possible you have aspiration pneumonia, however this far out - I think the problem would have been a chronic one and caught before now. Mind you it doesn't hurt to check right?
I'm thinking regular old pneumonia... from a nasty BUG.
hugs...
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 | Thank you Cheryl. Uptown, I have not been using a nebulizer. Just a puffer.
Thank you both for your replies.
Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
31 @ Dx SCC of tongue right side May 27, 2011, no tobacco, light drink
Partial gloss. and ND June 2011 - 2 jaw nodes positive ("encapsulated")
33 rads ended 10/21/11.
Dx Non small cell lung cancer 05/18/15
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 | Got a CT guided biopsy of pleural tissue and drain / biopsy of fluid scheduled for Friday. Sounds fun!
Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
31 @ Dx SCC of tongue right side May 27, 2011, no tobacco, light drink
Partial gloss. and ND June 2011 - 2 jaw nodes positive ("encapsulated")
33 rads ended 10/21/11.
Dx Non small cell lung cancer 05/18/15
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 4 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 4 |
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
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