Desertthorn Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 This is certainly the last place that I want to be, but its great knowing there is some place to come for support. I am still in the denial stage, but my heart knows that I have to start the fight soon. I am hoping that this board offers some fun also. Most support boards are so depressing and difficult to visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muriel Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Welcome Desertthorn, (((((Desertthorn))))) I hope we can provide the support that you're looking for. We have a really good group of people who can offer you information and positive support. It would help us if you could tell us a little bit more about your situation. You said you're in denial. Is that about the possibility of your cancer or someone close to you? Is there a diagnosis yet? What is being done? Are you putting off a trip to the doctor because you think it will just be bad news? Many people with cancer live a long time and your chances of being one of them is a lot better if diagnosis and treatment start ASAP. Please keep us informed. Muriel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraL Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Welcome deserthorn and a hug for you for whatever you are going through. As Muriel says, please tell us more about your situation so we can help. This board is full of many positive supportive folks and yes there is a wee bit of fun as well. I look forward to hearing more from you. Sandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertthorn Posted September 3, 2008 Author Share Posted September 3, 2008 You guys know if I see it in print, its true so I shy away from talking about it. I went into the md about 2 weeks ago as I was bleeding. I am 65 so bleeding is very serious and I was told if your bleeding its cancer. Well it wasn't cancer, it was asprin and a UTI but since they were ruling out Ovarian Cancer I had a CT Scan. The CT scan showed only that I have gall stones, but I knew that, but then the next day the Doc calls back, they found lesions or something on my right lobe and scheduled me for a Lung CT scan on the 16th. Why am I so sure this is lung cancer. 1) what else could it be 2) History of 30 years of smoking even though I quit in the 1980s its still 30 years of smoking and I do have a "morning cough" and SOB so I'm not symptom free. If I survive the next 2 weeks waiting for this darn test, Ill be surprized. I can't sleep, I wake in the middle of the night shaking and crying. I can't even get any support from the family because my husband poo-poos it, and I don't want to worry the kids until I have to so its me and you kids Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraL Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Sorry to hear that you are having such a tough time. The not knowing phase is terrible and of course you fear the worst. Once you know what is going on, and we all hope like heck that it is not LC, then you will start to feel better once you have a treatment plan in place. The trouble is that it sometimes takes way too long to find out all that. But. there is NO way that the results of a CT scan should take 2 weeks. A few days possibly, but no more than that. I would be phoning your doctor's office and bugging him for the results. That way you can move on to other tests that might be required to get a better handle on what is going on. And those take time too. Hang in there, just thinking about it is awful...we all know that. Let us know if you are successful in getting your CT results sooner. In the meantime, hopefully you will get some strength and hope from those of us here who have been through it all and more. Sandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertthorn Posted September 3, 2008 Author Share Posted September 3, 2008 No Sandra I have to wait two weeks to have the scan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shellit74 Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 hello and welcome to LCSC.. I know it can be terrible to wait so long to fnd out the results. I hope that you are able to find some way to relax and get some sleep and try to eat... And yes.... We do have fun here! We even have a just for fun forum. Laughter is a key ingredient to keeping healthy, Right?! I hope that your CT scan shows nothing, but if it does we are here for you. Shelli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraL Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 So sorry I read that wrong. Yes waiting for a CT scan is awful. I think mine was a number of weeks as well. When I finally had it I was in such rough shape with fluid build up on my lungs that I was checked into the hospital on the same day. Sad that it took hardly being able to breathe to get into the system. The waiting to get in is just awful and you are dreading the absolute worst the whole time. Probably nothing you can do about moving the CT scan up. But if your symptoms get really bad then do present yourself at a hospital. I feel for you during this awful time. I hadn't found this board yet when I was going through it...nor had many others. So maybe you can at least feel good about that and take the opportunity to read some of our profiles and what we have been through. That way you will know whatever the diagnosis, there is always hope. Sandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Welcome to our board. Have you tried getting your scan date moved up? If you have a good GP I would call and tell him or her that the waiting is stressful-- plus if it is cancer it needs to be diagnosed quickly. Sometimes schedulers don't realize the urgency of tests and there could very well be an earlier date. I hope it all turns out well for you. Rochelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 (((((((((((((((((((((((((Dessertthorn)))))))))))))))))))))))))) Hope this one helps some!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti B Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 Desertthorn- A HUGE hug to you!!!!! (((((Desertthorn))))). Sorry you find the need to be here but this site is full of really nice people and tons of support. First of all - you say - what else could it be???? Well, it just could be something else. Many of us have had scares that turned out to be nothing (I just had one last week). Once you know what you are dealing with, if anything, things will get better and you can get a treatment plan in place. I am sorry you are not getting any support at home, so please come here, and come here often - we understand and we will be here for you. Hugs - Patti B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce u Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 Hi desertthorn Welcome. I cannot add much to all the great information other's have shared with you. This is a great site where you will find the members very supportive. And yes we do have fun at times as well as being serious when need be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertthorn Posted September 5, 2008 Author Share Posted September 5, 2008 Hi guys, what is everyone a MOD here. LOL I'll be the lone member. You know this board has already made me feel better. I am ready to fight this thing and not only survive but thrive. I figure 1) they are catching it early, my symptoms are minor and 2) if I have two years, thats a long time and I am going to enjoy every day, starting right here. I will probably have a lot of questions and a lot of chatter, but we are going to be very good friends (((((group hug))))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraL Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Hi again deserthorn. I think moderator just really means frequent poster. Glad to see you have a sense of humour. I like many other moderators am a survivor like you and we really are just all members of this great place. I am glad to see that spending some time on this board has already helped you get in a fighting kind of mood and much more positive. That means it is doing what it is intended to do. Have a great day Sandra hey, we are across the water neighbours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Yep, we got lots of wonderful MOD's here. Might I add this? Did you know we are the BEST GROUP around not only for support and information but we really are the BEST HUGGERS you'll ever get to know! Ture though! When your ready to take hold and start this fight I just want you to know your not going to be doing this alone, you have ALL OF US walking with you and standing behind you and next to you. We're here 24/7. Ready Set, Here we come!!!!!! Welcome!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Welcome from another MOD ! We have lots of hugs AND lots of info and support. What the first thing is we ALL recommend is to take a step back, take some deep breaths, and don't put the cart before the horse. It seemed to ALL of us that we wanted all the tests and scans done yesterday. Well, that doesn't happen and doesn't HAVE to either. Try to take it one step at a time and be sure to come here for the support you need. Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertthorn Posted September 5, 2008 Author Share Posted September 5, 2008 It's a mod, mod world. Thanks for the support and since you all know what I am going through, I feel more positive and less afraid. I will probably have a million questions but right now, think Ill try cleaning out the dust bunnies from under the bed and exciting stuff like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daughter1974 Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 Desertthorn, I am new here as of this week, so don't have much information, but I just wanted to say hello because I am NOT a moderator. wanted you to know that there is another "member." We will move up the ranks together, okay? If you are content cleaning dust bunnies for the next two weeks, by all means, go for it. (And I definitely have enough dust bunnies that two weeks wouldn't crack the surface!)But if the waiting is too much to bear, I have difficulty trouble believing that you HAVE to wait two weeks to get a CT scan in Seattle. (Not trouble believing YOU - trouble that your GP would be content with that if it is causing you so much stress). It's not like there aren't multiple places to get CT scans in Seattle. What do they do in absolute dire emergencies? Of course, insurance and such could play a huge role, but if that isn't the case, maybe you could start calling around if your GP isn't doing it for you (ONLY if you can't bear waiting). I'm in Minneapolis/St. Paul, and my Dad was given what I considered to be too much wait time after the PET scan before he could see a specialist. So I got on the horn until I could get him an appointment sooner. In fact, my mother did the same thing for him to get his PET scan moved up. I sure like the idea of not worrying about it, and just living life for two weeks too! From a fellow non-moderator ... you have my support. Amy (By the way, aren't all these moderators GREAT? I love how quickly they respond - and with so much love and support! When I first saw the site on a very, very low evening and started reading things, I thought, "hey, I need people to say those caring things to me too!" It worked, and I will be forever thankful.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertthorn Posted September 6, 2008 Author Share Posted September 6, 2008 Hi Daughter, thanks for the welcome. Your right about the CT scan but this appointment is free, and you get what you pay for. Its okay, since I found this board, I feel a little better and can wait. I go on the 16th so thats just 10 days from now, and then Ill have to wait another 3 days for THE CALL. Thats going to be hard to wait for. Good to see another member. ((((Hugs)))))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertthorn Posted September 26, 2008 Author Share Posted September 26, 2008 This is so stupid, So my doctor has now decided that more tests are in order and she is going to send me to the pulmonologist. Okay shouldn't that have been done last month. I really like her but why all the foot dragging I just don't know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 Hi Dessertthorn. Did you have the results of the scan read to you? Usually a pulmonolgist gets involved if a bronchosopy is going to be done. They will probably try to get a tissue sample to see if whatever they found on the scan is malignant or not. I used to go to Seattle for treatment when I was getting radiation treatment. I also got second opinions there from Dr. West at the Swedish Cancer Institute. I always got same day results for the scans I had there. If you can do it, you should go to Swedish Cancer Institute with your scan and things should go a lot faster for you. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertthorn Posted October 6, 2008 Author Share Posted October 6, 2008 This is getting to be a long saga, I finally got an appointment with the Pulmonologist who showed me the "tumor' . Its about the size of a pencil eraser and he wanted me to take a PET scan, which I did on Friday. Two and a half hours. OMG. So now another wait. On the positive side, it would be Stage One. I have decided that I will go to Seattle Cancer Care Center for a second opinion for treatment options Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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