I have had a cough for over 4 years. It was a blessing in disguise as that's how the lung cancer was discovered, but even almost 4 years after surgery the cough persists. I've seen a Pulmonary Specialist, an Allergist and now I'm seeing an ENT specialist. He thinks it may be acid reflux. Today was my second visit to follow up and see how the Prilosec was helping. He thought it was, that my vocal chords were not as inflamed from the coughing as the first visit. Good news, I thought, but then I asked why I was still coughing. He asked when I was due to my next scan. I said next Tuesday. He said "maybe something will show up on it". My brain went absolutely fried. Now, in addition to my usual scanxiety, I have his message playing in my head. Maybe in addition to a lobectomy I should have asked for a frontal lobotomy! Thanks for being there and letting me vent. I hate these cancer thoughts - I want a new brain! Blessings! Brooklynda
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My Brain Needs Washing
- By brooklynda
- Posted September 4, 2009 at 12:11 am · 20 replies
- In What, me worry?
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Asthma Cancer Surgery Acid reflux Falls Back pain Anxiety Singulair Pain Lung cancer Prilosec
20 replies
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- Newest first
- By cuddles53
- Posted September 4, 2009 at 12:21 am
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Dear Brooklynda,
Now you know this is only the fear of the scan, it happens to the best of us, you are listening to every single word he said, don't do it, get it out of your head. You said yourself, you have had this coughj for over 4 years now. do you also have COPD? You may have an allergy, I did and finally I am on singulair it took a long time, but i do not have a cough anymore. Occasional cough but not that nagging cigarette smoking cough I always had.
doctors just have to have answers, when they don't they look to whats next, and whats next for you is the scan. this is the only reason he said this, so please try and get it right out of your head. you are gonna be okay. you were only inquiring about this cough, you are not expecting anything unusual to be wrong, he has scared you and that is all there is to it. Please don't do this to yourself.
Take care, I will pray that God keeps your mind off of this.
God bless Sandy
- By brooklynda
- Posted September 4, 2009 at 12:56 am
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Dear Sandy: Thanks so much for your kind words and reassurance. I have some emphasema (sp?) but nothing too drastic. I know that I am super sensitive regarding anything that medical people say to me that could relate to cancer. I just have to try and remember that I am and not blow it out of proportion and be a drama queen. I appreciate your response. Blessings! Brooklynda
- By Sandysiegel
- Posted September 4, 2009 at 12:57 am
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Yikes!!
I hear ya. I have my scan scheduled for the end of this month and I'm already freaking about it!
Keep us posted.
I wish you doctor didn't say that to you. I think it's weird that he did.
stay strong!
(((((hugs))))
sandy
- By brooklynda
- Posted September 4, 2009 at 8:50 am
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Dear SandyS: Thanks - I'm feeling better today after some sleep, but I still think it was a weird thing to say. Blessings! Brooklynda
- By stage4survivor
- Posted September 4, 2009 at 9:05 am
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Linda,
A cough can be caused by a myriad of things and after 4 years, lc is low on the totem pole since it's already been identified.
I'm 100% certain your scans will be fine, I'm 100% certain we may never know the cause of your cough.
G
- By misself
- Posted September 4, 2009 at 9:40 am
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Brooklynda,you give so many such good advise and support ,that theres nothing wrong with your brain.I think of the two people in that conversation it was the other one at fault.If a lobotomy removes problems I think he needs a "Tact ectomy" Lol Hang in there even mild Copd could account for a cough.It can mean your just clearing some secretions and truthfully it means your body can still do its job.Thats why we do all this.Have a Happy Labor Day,worry free.Go eat a hot fudge sunday.Didn't think I caught that temptation did ya.Ha Ha!!AndiB
- By brooklynda
- Posted September 4, 2009 at 4:01 pm
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Thanks S4 - you are right - they probably never will find out what it is. Not that I have an obsessive thinking problem! No - who me? Blessings! Brooklynda
- By brooklynda
- Posted September 4, 2009 at 4:07 pm
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Dear AndiB: You are really sharp - catching that Hot Fudge Sundae (notice I've put that in capital letters) action. My attitude is better today, but I think it could be vastly improved by a Hot Fudge Sundae! Thanks, I'm taking your advice and headed for that ice cream! Blessings! Brooklynda
- By sheilake
- Posted September 4, 2009 at 4:20 pm
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It's amazing to see how little it takes to explode "Scanxiety". I wonder whether doctors have a clue as to how we hang on to every (sometimes careless) word they say. Sounds like your four year old cough isn't worse - but your anxiety over the scan may be.
Hope you find some fun movies or distractions until Tuesday! I'm praying for a clean scan!
Hugs,
Sheila
- By brooklynda
- Posted September 4, 2009 at 5:16 pm
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Dear Sheila: Yep, it's scanxiety in the making! I think that's true about hanging on to each word the doctor says. Now that I think of it, if it were someone else I would just blow them off. I really have to learn to do that. Thank you for your concern and your prayers. You have been on my mind lately. Please contact me and give me an update on you. Blessings! Brooklynda
- By Barbell
- Posted September 4, 2009 at 10:04 pm
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Having had COPD for years before the SCLC, I am certain the cough I still have every day is related to the old pulmonary problem. My scans show no new activity and remain stable. Maybe yours does not mean anything new. Sending prayers and best wishes your way. God bless you. Love, Judy
- By brooklynda
- Posted September 4, 2009 at 10:35 pm
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Dear Judy: Thank you. I guess for some of us the constant coughing is a new "normal". It makes me feel better to know that maybe there's no solution right now to stopping it but it's not something going on with me that's really dangerous. (That's what I was afraid of). I appreciate your prayers and good wishes and taking the time to respond with your experience. Wishing you all the best! Blessings! Brooklynda
- By Nelzter
- Posted September 5, 2009 at 3:38 pm
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Brooklynda!!!!
When the scan is fine and the scanxiety goes bye bye and you are still coughing, you will still be coughing because you laughed too hard at this upcoming joke.
A priest and a nun went golfing... and the priest was having the best golf day of his life... Better than Tiger Woods on Meth. And he went up to the 16th hole...
Beautiful drive... Beautiful chip...
Misses the easiest putt of his life.
He throws his putter down and says, "Oh Sh*t! I MISSED!" And the nun gives him a stern look.
17th hole - another beautiful drive... Another awesome chip... Another missed putt.
"OH SH*T!!! I MISSED!!!"
The nun lokks at him and says, "Don't you EVER say that word again! You are a priest!!"
The priest says, "Yes sister. You are right. I will never say that word again... If I do, may lightning strike me."
18th hole...
Beautiful drive... Beautiful chip... Misses another putt and he misses beating his record.
"OH SH*T :( I MISSED..."
Thunder starting roaring... clouds rolled in... rain came down... and WHAM.
A bolt of lightning came down and struck the nun. Dead.
The priest looks up and hears a deep, low... rumbling and powerful voice...
"Oh Sh*t... I Missed"
- By angel3023
- Posted September 5, 2009 at 3:44 pm
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A cough can be just a cough. Prayers coming at you for good news on Tuesday.
- By brooklynda
- Posted September 5, 2009 at 9:48 pm
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Dear Neltzer: You are toooo much! Great joke. I love it! Thanks. I feel so much better today - amazing what some sleep and a Hot Fudge Sundae can do! Haven't seen your postings around for a long time. How are you?? Blessings! Brooklynda
- By brooklynda
- Posted September 5, 2009 at 9:55 pm
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Dear Angel: Many thanks for your prayers and good wishes. They are very much appreciated. Blessings! Brooklynda
- By Starlightsquad
- Posted September 6, 2009 at 2:13 am
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Hi Brooklynda;
I am right there with you as if scanxiety isn't enough...I had back pain which radiates down my leg...this pain started after I tripped and fell....so as I sat in the Oncologists office waiting...I said to my husband ""Ya know - I hope I didn't fall because I have a tumor in my head and I hope the pain down my leg isn't from bone mets." My husband responded - "I know one thing for sure - you keep this up and I can guarantee you'll have head pain when I slap you upside the head with my book."
Gotta love our caregivers....They sometimes knock us back into reality....so as trusting as I was I asked my Oncologist about me tripping and the back and leg pain...his answer "I think your uncoordination is a better explanation for the pain...a brain tumor would cause more seizure type falls, and the pain in your back is because you FELL." After my husband informed him of all of my clutsy moments in life - my Oncologist feels the Chemo may have zapped my hearing - but atleast it slowed me down....He has a valid point....Not that I would want more Chemo - but perhaps I am rushing through life because I don't want to miss anymore moments.
So now I stop and take a few deep breaths each day and smile, sometimes even through the tears...
Ever have one of those days that you just bust out crying and laughing?
Love you and GOD BLESS
Janet
- By brooklynda
- Posted September 6, 2009 at 10:36 am
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Dear Janet: Yes, I have many of those days where I am both laughing and crying. Some things are just so ridiculous I can't help it! Especially when it comes to my thinking! If one of my eyelashes falls out - I think it's cancer. I want to fire the "committee" in my head! I am like you in that I don't want to miss anything. Your husband sounds like mine - a great guy and a "realist"! Ha! Blessings! Brooklynda
- By wyvonne
- Posted September 7, 2009 at 12:10 am
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I've had a cough for the last 11 years and have been told it was acid reflex, COPD and now asthma, nothing I take really gets rid of it. So if you can put your fears to rest, but do let us know your results. God bless.
- By brooklynda
- Posted September 7, 2009 at 7:58 am
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Dear Wyvonne: Thanks for your response. That's really something - 11 years - a long time! I'm beginning to realize because of what people are saying that the cough may never go away but it doesn't necessarily mean that it is dangerous if it is not cured. I will let you know, as I am havng my scan on Tuesday and seeing my onc on Thursday for discussion of results and bloodwork. Hope you have a great holiday today! Blessings! Brooklynda
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