Scared I have lung cancer - hand hold please x

[AaaaaandBreathe]

I'm quite a heavy smoker and have been since my teens (late 30s).

Had a cough for months (not sure how many), sometimes the phlegm makes me physically sick. I put it down to a 'smokers cough' but for the past month or so I've been having shoulder/back pain.

Been to GP today and I've to go for an x ray ASAP (won;t be able to go til Monday because of childcare issues).

I'm pretty much inconsolable. I've been thinking for ages 'right, I'll stop smoking this week' and I fear I have definite serious and permanent damage.

What kind of selfish human being puts their life at risk and risks their children growing up with their Mum??

I can't stop crying. I need to collect my youngest soon and I don't know how I'm going to keep it together.

Don't assume the worst, the pain could be from the coughing constantly. Someone I work with has had a cough since October and had scans, and several courses of antibiotics and still has a cough. A non smoker. You don't know what it is, you keep an open mind and wait to see. I know that is hard.
All the best to you xx

I know lots of people (me included) who have had a cough for mo this after the flu/Covid that went round before Christmas. My doctor said it’s standard to Ofer anyone with a cough for more than 3 months who smokes a chest x ray)
hopefully it’s just that x

all the best to you. The scan is precautionary and I hope all goes well. Try to do something nice over the weekend to take your mind off it, although I know that’s easy to say.

mo this = months

Thank you so so much everyone, that has helped.

I haven't treated my body very well over the years and it's always at the back of my mind it will catch up with me. I have complex PTSD and anxiety which has definitely affected my self care and I've used unhealthy coping mechanisms (smoking and alcohol). I've just started trauma therapy and was feeling positive and now I'm just so scared.

But you are all right, I don't know anything yet except it's not an infection and not a blood clot in my lung (he ruled that out as my oxygen levels were surprisingly fine) but said he couldn't rule out more serious illnesses. He was very nice and sympathetic and told me to call with any questions - which just made me panic more given how overwhelmed the surgery is!

Does anyone know how long it takes for xray results to come back? I assumed same day like when you have a fracture but reading more it seems it can take weeks or even months?

I had a chest X-ray and my results took a week to come back. If they have any concerns they will probably call you back sooner.

Thank you.