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Original poster

Lung Cancer Paranoia.

40 replies

windsorcastle · 04/02/2012 18:25

My Husband is 44 years old, He smoked for 15 years and has stopped for the last 8 years. We are waiting for his x-ray results, His symptoms are, wheezing, although it's not all the time and constant. He said his right lung doesn't feel right, can't really explain it, but feels like there is something in there. When he was alot younger, he was exposed to asbestos, harmful chemicals and obviously smoked. Last year we had a couple of fires ( bonfire) which I think made his chest worse. Anyway he has had viral coughs, which have cleared up. He is convinced he has lung cancer, and is being so negative, which has upset Me. I am trying to reassure him, but even with that, He says, sometimes you don't have symptoms for lung cancer. Any advice please.

OP posts:
WipsGlitter · 04/02/2012 18:37

Has he lost any weight?

Northernlurker · 04/02/2012 18:39

When did he have the x-ray?

clemetteattlee · 04/02/2012 18:39

Has he had a blood test?

Original poster
windsorcastle · 04/02/2012 18:46

No he has not lost weight, his x-ray was on monday just gone, so not even a week yet, he hasn't had a blood test.

OP posts:
Original poster
windsorcastle · 04/02/2012 18:48

He is eating ok, he isn't couphing up blood. He had a x-ray 14 months ago because he had a tiny bit of blood in his phlem, but at that time he had a bad cold and a chesty cough, his x-ray results were fine then 14months ago.

OP posts:
Northernlurker · 04/02/2012 18:51

I would think that the x-ray has been reviewed by a radiologist by now so if you haven't been called it's likley ok. You can ring the GP on Monday and chase up the result. No weight loss is a good sign.

Nothing is certain of course but the pair of you fretting really isn't helping so try and just relax a tiny bit. It's excellent that he stopped smoking.

Original poster
windsorcastle · 04/02/2012 18:56

Thanks northern I was fine until He started saying "thats is Iv'e got lung cancer, expect the worse".

OP posts:
clemetteattlee · 04/02/2012 19:14

They would have phoned by now if they had spotted anything that looked like a tumour. I was talking to a radiographer the other day and they say that if they see anything that looks sinister they flag it up to the radiologists straight away.

Original poster
windsorcastle · 04/02/2012 20:18

Thanks clem I think maybe I'm just panicling because that silly Husband of mine is so dam negative and a big hypocondriac, but I suppose one always thinks of the worst.

OP posts:
Original poster
windsorcastle · 04/02/2012 20:18

Panicking I meant to say.

OP posts:
LargeGlassofRed · 04/02/2012 20:23

I've had about 40 chest X-rays in the last six months, if there was anything there he would have been told by now, call the gp Monday they will easily have the results by now,

Original poster
windsorcastle · 04/02/2012 20:27

Thanks largeglass wow thats alot of x-rays. So if there is something wrong, they phone your gp straight away?

OP posts:
LargeGlassofRed · 04/02/2012 20:37

Yes, the radiographer usually can tell straight away if anything obviously dodgy and will inform the doctor, and often then orders a ct scan, I've had 5 of those too!
The first dodgy X-ray I had I was told the same day, and then had to have another a week later to see if there was any change,
then had a ct about a week after that, I don't have lung cancer btw, but I think If they are at all concerned things move pretty fast.
I sent a few weeks on a ward were most peope had suspected lung cancer, and everyone I met from first X-ray to biopsy had been very quick.

Original poster
windsorcastle · 04/02/2012 20:46

Thanks large I will get him to phone the dr on Monday.

OP posts:
LargeGlassofRed · 04/02/2012 20:55

Hope all goes well, let us know how he gets on

Northernlurker · 04/02/2012 21:05

I agree you would have been contacted. My bil was diagnosed with lung cancer from a chest x-ray and it was very quick.

Original poster
windsorcastle · 04/02/2012 21:08

I will keep you posted guys, thank you. When you mean quick, how quick? one, two, three days? or are we talking next day.

OP posts:
BayPolar · 04/02/2012 21:33

Having so many x-rays is um, bad for you.
The Japanese have a default chest x-ray from the very first year of entering their work life at their respective companies.
I always refused to have one.
The accumulation of radiation of the years in the system can not be good for you.
I am sorry you had to have so many and hope that they found nothing sinister.

obsessedwithmarmite · 05/02/2012 10:38

Hi, try not to worry, I know it's hard, keep us posted. I don't know anything about lung cancer, so can't give you any advice.x

fedupandtired · 05/02/2012 12:39

Don't know if it's different if you're an outpatient but my mum got her x-ray results the same day and they then scheduled a CT scan although she had to wait a week for her scheduled appt for the results (which was cancer btw).

Original poster
windsorcastle · 05/02/2012 14:33

fedup yes he is an outpatient,it will be a week tomorow since his x-ray. The dr said the results take 10-14 days, but I will get him to phone tomorow. I am surprised you have to wait a week, even with a scheduled appt, you would think if they know it's cancer, they would call you in as soon as they know.

OP posts:
fedupandtired · 05/02/2012 17:05

They didn't with my mum and that was only in December so its not even as if things have improved.

RumourOfAHurricane · 06/02/2012 11:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

hellhasnofury · 06/02/2012 11:07

Yup, when my x-ray showed something dodgy I was called in for a CAT scan then an MRI before you could say 'Bob's your uncle'. Hopefully your DH is OK.

bibbitybobbityhat · 06/02/2012 11:12

My father's first symptom of lung cancer was coughing up blood. No pain, no wheeziness, no cough, no weight loss.