Guest Karen C Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 Hi, this is David C's wife, Karen. We think Dave has pneumonia. I guess most of you saw his post the other day, the oncologist looked at his CT scan and didn't know what to make of a new "mass" or something in his left lung. He guessed out loud it could be pneumonia. He had me deliver Dave's films to the pulmonary doc that saw Dave one day when he was first diagnosed and in the hospital in March. The doc looked at the films and said he thought it was pneumonia, but he hasn't seen Dave personally, just going on what the films look like and what the oncologist told Dave. They have him on an antibiotic (can't remember which one) and said if he doesn't feel better (he does have a cough, congestion, etc., but no fever) in a week or it gets worse in the next week to call the oncologist. I don't want to mess around with this. Dave says to give it the week. I'm wondering if he ought to push for the PET Scan. Has anyone out there had any experience with this particular thing? He's had 6 rounds of chemo and 6 straight weeks of radiation so I guess getting pneumonia after all that is fairly common. thanks to all, Karen C. wonderful husband Dave SCLC Ltd. diagnosed March '03 Me - Recent Stage II Melanoma Survivor Parents of beautiful almost two year old Faith, adopted from China 10/02! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelliemacs Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 Karen, please dont wait. they told my mom 4 weeks ago they got it all and remission looked promising, 3 weeks ago we went for PET to confirm this and the cancer was back. Then she got pneumonia, then her lung collapsed. please get a PET scheduled right away. sometimes a new cancerous mass can look like Pneumonia on a film. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrie Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 Karen - If you feel more comfortable with it, I would ask for the PET scan. I'm sorry to hear that David is feeling poorly - will continue to keep you all in my prayers that the antibiotic does the trick and he's feeling better in no time! Terrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 I can't believe I'm saying this, but I hope it is pneumonia. We know they can clear that up. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Cheryl- Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 karen, Insist on tht Pet scan and antibotics. When I was fisrt diagnosed they thought my cancer was pnemonia and started me on atibotics just in case. Tell Dave we are praying for him and your family! Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobmc Posted August 6, 2003 Share Posted August 6, 2003 Hello Karen; Please give my best to Dave and like Don I'll be hoping and praying that it's pneumonia and they clear it up soon. I do believe I have read that the radiation can cause this. I'm not sure and I'm not a doc but you may want to ask about it. my best to you and the family and again Dave will be in my prayers. God bless and stay well Bobmc- NSCLC- stageIIB- left pneumonectomy- 5/2/01 " absolutely insist on enjoying life today!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathy Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 Karen, My dad did pneumonia after radiation. His pulm. specialist said its not that abnormal because of everything his lungs have been through. He actually just got over it again a couple weeks ago, this was the second time. I would still get the pet scan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea B. Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 Karen, My mom has almost the identical thing going on...she has cough, congestion but no fever. There is a "cavity" (as the doctors refer to it) in her right lung and they think it is an infection, but she just had a PET scan yesterday to be sure. She had a CT scan and her oncologist and pulmonologist both agree it is an infection, but we will know for sure next week. I would insist on the PET scan. I will be praying that it is pneumonia and will clear up soon for David. All my best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berisa Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 for patients and their family, time is very precious and will not allow any accident or exceptions for doctor & nurse, they will make a guess and quite tolerance on waiting for few days to re-evaluate. PET scan will tell, if i were you, I will insist. For my Dad, maybe he is treated in government hospital, doctors are fully occupied and extremely busy enough (definitely all machines are also fully booked as well)......only we can do is seeking for private hospital's facilities and private doctors' advices by paying huge medical expenses (no insurance). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Karen C. Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 Thanks, everyone. From what I've found out, PET Scans are not currently recommended for "re-staging" of SCLC. They are recommended for NSCLC. I just don't know why, I guess no one got around to doing a study on SCLC as timely as for NSCLC. That is probably why the oncologist isn't jumping on the bandwagon to order a PET Scan, and he doesn't feel that Dave's insurance will cover it. I did discover that it should be recommended procedure soon, and that is probably also why he told us to look for any articles about that, I guess in case he misses it when it first comes out. Alot of speculation here, I know. Anyway, Dave feels pretty certain that it is pneumonia, he has the symptoms, in fact, he coughed all night last night and the lung cancer never made him cough. So he wants to give it the week the doctors said to give it, on antibiotics. I'm going to try to remain calm and back off for that week. This is really selfish but we are supposed to go camping next Friday the 15th through the 18th in the travel trailer we bought right before going to China last year to get our daughter. His whole family is going, his parents in their trailer, one sister and her family, and his older sister from CA is flying to VA for the weekend just to go - Dave's birthday is the 13th so we are celebrating, we hope, not only his birthday but his good health as well. I sure hope we can! But I am eager for a trip, we haven't been able to do anything since returning from China because of his illness and we need a getaway, even if it's with the whole extended family! (ha, lots of babysitters while I nap!) OK, enough rambling, will keep everyone posted. Karen C. Wife of David C. - wonderful husband and dad to our beautiful Faith! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted August 7, 2003 Share Posted August 7, 2003 Karen, if there is any way possible for David to make the trip, do go. You both need it. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David A Posted August 8, 2003 Share Posted August 8, 2003 HI Karen, Give dave my best and let him know he is in my prayers. I had a lot of trouble with pnuemonia during and after radiation, this is the longest that i have been with out getting pnuemonia about 5 weeks since oct 02. Hoping thats what it is for Dave too and that his treatment is swift and powerful. take care give the little one a hug from Michigan! and dave too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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