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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 5, 2019 21:38:35 GMT
I’m worried about my mom. She had lung cancer three years ago. The tumor was surgically removed and she was on a new drug that targeted the type of genetic mutation for two years.
All of her scans since then have been good, and she had a CT scan in November that was clear.
I just got a text from my stepdad: Just a little FYI. Moms been running a low grade fever since before Christmas. Finally got her into dr after Christmas. They put her on antibiotics. She went back Thursday. Still running a fever. Flu/virus checks negative. New chest X-ray showed a suspicious spot in her right lung. Pneumonia results were negative. They are 99.9% sure it’s just some sort of fluid thing in/on the lung, but are scheduling a CT scan just to be safe and better plan treatment.
He said that they think it is nothing serious because cancer usually doesn’t grow that quickly. Do you think that is accurate or are the doctors/parents just trying to avoid alarm before they know anything concrete?
***slight update 1/15--my mom still has a low grade fever. They have done some type of test that looks for 21 different viruses (didn't know that existed?) and it came back negative. They did another CT scan and now say that the spot on her lungs is gone? She is having a lot of shooting neck pain and poor movement--has been going to PT and chiropractor and taking ibuprofen with not much improvement. Her CRP was 60 and is supposed to be under 5. Otherwise all tests have been normal. She saw her doctor again today and he doesn't know what is wrong. He said they would do bloodwork next week and if her temp goes up she needs to go back. He might send her to a specialist since he doesn't know what is wrong.
Any ideas what this could be? Either cancer related or something else?
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moodyblue
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Location: Western Illinois
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Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on Jan 5, 2019 21:43:21 GMT
Being that he said the doctors are 99.9% sure it’s fluid, I don’t think he’d be making that up.
A member of a cancer support group I’m in said she and her husband chose the approach of 'it's nothing until it's something" - as in, don’t assume the worst based on little information; wait until you KNOW something. Easier said than done.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 5, 2019 21:48:17 GMT
Being that he said the doctors are 99.9% sure it’s fluid, I don’t think he’d be making that up. A member of a cancer support group I’m in said she and her husband chose the approach of 'it's nothing until it's something" - as in, don’t assume the worst based on little information; wait until you KNOW something. Easier said than done. Definitely easier said that done, but good advice. I think I’m skeptical because up to her diagnosis there were several situations where doctors were sure it was nothing. Or they were sure her type of cancer was slow growing but when tested it wasn’t. And so on. Hopefully they get some answers soon and she starts to feel better. She has apparently been very tired and sleeping a lot. |
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Deleted
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Jun 2, 2024 10:32:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2019 21:49:00 GMT
Lots of people sick with all types of viruses/bugs right now. While the fever is worrisome, trust in the doctors until they tell you differently.
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Post by christine58 on Jan 5, 2019 21:58:56 GMT
could be a lymph node 'working' because she is sick. I am sure she is ok
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trollie
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by trollie on Jan 5, 2019 22:09:41 GMT
Saying a little prayer and sending healing thoughts for your mom.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jan 5, 2019 22:10:18 GMT
I hope it’s nothing. Your family will be in my thoughts while she gets this sorted. Hang in there!
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jan 5, 2019 22:12:47 GMT
I remember you posting about your mom when she went through it all originally. Hopefully, this is nothing serious and they'll be able to treat her easily for it. I'll be hoping that for your sake anyway.
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pancakes
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Post by pancakes on Jan 5, 2019 22:13:45 GMT
Lots of people sick with all types of viruses/bugs right now. While the fever is worrisome, trust in the doctors until they tell you differently. Agree. I had some crazy stomach issue that started with flu like symptoms in early December. All my tests came back normal. But a lot of viruses/bugs escape normal tests — it often takes pinpointing. So be cautious but don’t worry yourself too much! |
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marimoose
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Post by marimoose on Jan 5, 2019 22:17:03 GMT
So easy to say don't worry but more often so hard to actually do. Still, add me to the list of it is nothing until it is something. That being sad I am a natural worrier. There have been so many viruses that have seemed to linger that I have witnessed that I am going to go with the thought that she is simply one of the unfortunate ones that caught one of them. Will keep you and your Mom in my thoughts and will be happy when you share with us that it is indeed nothing  |
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mlana
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Post by mlana on Jan 5, 2019 22:22:29 GMT
Many years ago I had a chest infection that took forever to clear up. Ever since, I’ve had a spot on my lung that, at first glance of the X-ray, sends everyone in a tizzy. It’s a dead lymph node that gave its all to fighting the infection. If your mom is recovering from a chest infection, she may something like this, or, as your stepdad, said, a water spot.
I get your fear, though.
Marcy
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Nanner
Drama Llama
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Post by Nanner on Jan 6, 2019 0:19:15 GMT
I hope she's ok, and it's just one of the seasonal bugs going around.
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Post by alexa11 on Jan 6, 2019 1:10:12 GMT
Try not to worry- I know I know... Sending prayers.
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Post by scrapmaven on Jan 6, 2019 1:47:32 GMT
Sounds like the doctors are convinced that it's a benign finding. I'll pray that it's just that.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jan 6, 2019 1:50:31 GMT
Wishing your mom the best.
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dald222
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Post by dald222 on Jan 6, 2019 2:43:06 GMT
I am sorry that you are going throuh this. I am praying for you all
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Post by leslie132 on Jan 6, 2019 3:51:32 GMT
I understand the fear completely. I’ll keep her in my thoughts.....you, as well!
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 6, 2019 3:51:56 GMT
Thanks everyone. I’ll try not to worry for now. |
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Post by KikiPea on Jan 6, 2019 3:56:40 GMT
Praying that it's nothing!
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scrappinmama
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Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on Jan 6, 2019 4:02:42 GMT
Not worrying is definitely easier said than done. Try to relax. She sounds like she is in good hands. I will keep you both in my prayers, healing for her and peace and comfort for you.
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 6, 2019 14:16:47 GMT
Your stepdad sounds like a good caregiver. I am adding my prayers that's it is just fluid. Hugs, iamkristinl16. |
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Post by Really Red on Jan 6, 2019 14:38:59 GMT
Ugh. Of course you are nervous. I would be, too. But when my daughter was very ill, one of the things the nurses told me was that they are obliged to tell 100% the truth as they know it. So when a doctor says 99.9% sure it's not cancer and your stepdad writes that to you, I think that is telling you two things. 1) It is not cancer and 2) your mom and stepdad are still worried.
It's impossible not to stress in this situation, but it if someone told you there was a 99.9% likelihood of rain, you'd take your umbrella, right? You'd assume it was going to rain. So assume this is nothing.
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ddly
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Post by ddly on Jan 6, 2019 14:55:13 GMT
I hope everything is okay! Sending up prayers!
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 15, 2019 22:19:10 GMT
Update In OP
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Post by auntkelly on Jan 15, 2019 22:28:38 GMT
I just read your update and can understand why you are concerned. I hope you get some answers soon. I'll say prayers.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jan 16, 2019 3:14:11 GMT
I'd be worried too. I'm sending prayers. Let us know when you get more info. There's a lot of the crud going on right now so maybe it's just a tiny bit of something. That's my hope anyway.
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Post by mom on Jan 16, 2019 3:24:07 GMT
Read your update. An elevated CRP level means she has a bunch of inflammation going on. When my mom was sick, her inflammation was in her liver, but a high level also can be linked to inflammation/diseas in other areas. A level over 10 means something serious is going on and more tests are needed.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 16, 2019 3:29:11 GMT
Read your update. An elevated CRP level means she has a bunch of inflammation going on. When my mom was sick, her inflammation was in her liver, but a high level also can be linked to inflammation/diseas in other areas. A level over 10 means something serious is going on and more tests are needed. Yeah, it seems like 60 would mean something significant, right? I asked her today if her oncologist knew what was going on and she said that she hadn't even thought to tell him since the recent scan was clear. My worry is that the cancer has come back in a different part of her body. Maybe I am off base but I can't believe that she (or her regular doctor) didn't think to tell her oncologist that she has had a fever for almost a month and all of these other symptoms. |
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PrettyInPeank
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Post by PrettyInPeank on Jan 16, 2019 3:33:06 GMT
I'm blown away her oncologist isn't involved, just to be sure. This could be precious time being wasted.
Sending hugs that this is nailed down and fixed quickly. ❤
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Post by mom on Jan 16, 2019 3:33:06 GMT
Read your update. An elevated CRP level means she has a bunch of inflammation going on. When my mom was sick, her inflammation was in her liver, but a high level also can be linked to inflammation/diseas in other areas. A level over 10 means something serious is going on and more tests are needed. Yeah, it seems like 60 would mean something significant, right? I asked her today if her oncologist knew what was going on and she said that she hadn't even thought to tell him since the recent scan was clear. My worry is that the cancer has come back in a different part of her body. Maybe I am off base but I can't believe that she (or her regular doctor) didn't think to tell her oncologist that she has had a fever for almost a month and all of these other symptoms. Honestly? Yeah, 60 is really high. From what I remember (and its been 5 years, so...) it is also linked to stroke/heart attack risk (something with cholesterol, maybe?) more than cancer. I haven't researched it in a long time though. I wouldn't jump to thinking cancer just yet (but the oncologist needs to know). My moms was in relation to her liver failing but it could be a million things other than liver failure. Its a very non-specific test...it gives you results but not really want they mean. She definitely needs to get all of her doctors on the same page and get one of them to start ordering some more test. |
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