Lung Cancer Paranoia.

[windsorcastle]

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.

His mum has mild emphysema, not bad enough for any treatment though. hellhas, when did you get you x-ray results then? after a week or staright away.

My husband rang the surgery today, and no results as yet. If it was serious, would they have posted the results by now?

The GP who sent me for a scan called me within 24 hours to arrange a referral to hospital. DH has had some dodgy results from blood tests recently too and on both occasions the GP practise got in touch with us before the results were due in.

Thanks hellshas, you can tell I'm not worried.

Husband rang up the surgery today, and still no results, I wish they would hurry up, because that hypocondriac husband of mine is doing My head in. It has been over a week now.

Any news yet?

Hi hells no nothing yet. He rang the surgey this morning, and the receptionist said they would chase up the results, and the dr will ring friday morning between 11.30-12.
Husband is still being negative.

Bless him, I'm pretty sure he'll be ok he might have to save his pessimism for another event.

I'm with the others, most times if it's something serious they call earlier. Dh bloods showed a dodgy result and we got a call at 10pm from out of hours GP!! Went straight to hospital and got full results the next morning.

Hope all goes well today

Hi, the dr rang, and it's very minor emphysema, so I'm glad it's not lung cancer ( big sigh) but I am upset that it's emphysema, but it's very minor. Does anyone know anything about that then?

I know its a disease that will progress, and it's horrible that he has it at an early age, so all we can do is make sure he looks after his lungs and stays fit. I know it's not going to get better, I mean the dr said it's very minor, but how long ( years) does it take to get really bad?

He is waiting to have a spirometer pft i think it is, so what will that determine? the dr did not seem concerned, all he kept saying was it's very minor emphysema, and that you can live a normal life if you never smoke again and really look after your lungs. My husband stopped smoking 8 years ago, because it's very minor, does it still mean its going to progress quick, someone shed some light, don't understand. My husband is thinking it's a death sentence and he has got 2 years to live.

I have no idea how quickly it may progress but my FIL has had it for as long as I've known him - 16 years - and although he is not in the best of health he is 74. He gets frequent chest infections, shortness of breath and is on a cocktail of inhalers and also steroids when he is really bad but in-between those times he lives a relatively normal life.

He has been told that eventually he will end up on oxygen but he does have it quite badly. I'm certain that your DH won't reach that stage for many years yet.

FIL completely avoids anyone with colds, which includes my children for most of the year! If he catches a cold it inevitably leads to a chest infection.

However, despite all that he is a keen golfer and gardener :)

Thanks grape yes My husband is avoiding any fires, smoke and other pollutants, it might hard avoiding colds, as I have a 8 year old. From what I have read, it says that with mild emp, you can lead a normal life if you really look after your lungs, so i'm not sure.