Breathing

[Dime]

We are just starting the battle here. My wife starts chemo next week to reduce/retard the growth in her right lung to work towards surgery in a few months to remove the c cells. So far, the wait times are fairly reasonable but we have the advantage of major center resources close at hand (and gov’t healthcare). We are both scared shitless . . .

Sorry to hear that,every day is precious,and I wish you a positive outcome and many more years together.

 

[oldmaninbc]

Thanks creep. My role is driver, hand-holder, cook, general personal support and . . . possibly the most important . . . the optimist for the household. One step at a time . . .

I understand what it means to be scared shitless...my wife was in the hospital 2 years ago, hooked up to machines that breathed for her. Her doctor told me I should contact her next of kin; with that single sentence I was devastated and scared shitless. With great relief she responded to the last round of medications and survived, worse for wear but alive.
Your nature to, "take it one step at a time" , much respect for this attitude.
I truly hope it all goes in your wife's favor.

 

[tobedetermined]

I truly hope it all goes in your wife's favor.

I am pretty determined now. The oncologist said last week that the goal is a cure. After months of the hell of the unknown, that is what we needed to hear. I only have one best friend.

 

[buzzmobile]

Not really sure how to deal with this one.

There is not a handbook, but once you begin the lessons come quickly. I dealt with my diagnosis by retreating inward. If not for my wife I suspect I would have been a lump of despair. Doubt fear anger tears pain are great teachers to bring a person to a sense of being. Just being becomes a blessing. Finding the jigsaw puzzle piece that fits the void is a victory.

I hope you have a person like @tobedetermined , on the hard days. I am pretty sure you both share many emotions.

Thanks creep. My role is driver, hand-holder, cook, general personal support and . . . possibly the most important . . . the optimist for the household. One step at a time . . .

 

[oldmaninbc]

I am pretty determined now. The oncologist said last week that the goal is a cure. After months of the hell of the unknown, that is what we needed to hear. I only have one best friend.

That is good news! I hope some of the weight on you has been lifted and good news continues to follow.

 

[Smokerman]

So I went on this past Wednesday got changed and tried to keep anxiety to a minimum.
Then the dr doing the procedure comes to talk and explain what she’s going to do.
Ended up with us both agreeing not to do it. She made it clear that I can’t move when the needle goes in. I said that there’s no guarantee that I won’t cough, she asked if an Ativan would help, I said a dozen wouldn’t help with the anxiety. So she did a ct with contrast and would talk to the surgeon. As it is I have an appointment on Dec 5 to see him unless he calls earlier.
I feel that there’s definitely something wrong with my breathing , and it seems that anxiety is an issue as well.
Starting to think that this could be bad.

 

[DARKSIDER]

So I went on this past Wednesday got changed and tried to keep anxiety to a minimum.
Then the dr doing the procedure comes to talk and explain what she’s going to do.
Ended up with us both agreeing not to do it. She made it clear that I can’t move when the needle goes in. I said that there’s no guarantee that I won’t cough, she asked if an Ativan would help, I said a dozen wouldn’t help with the anxiety. So she did a ct with contrast and would talk to the surgeon. As it is I have an appointment on Dec 5 to see him unless he calls earlier.
I feel that there’s definitely something wrong with my breathing , and it seems that anxiety is an issue as well.
Starting to think that this could be bad.

Its easier said than done i know, but try not to think as much, as it will give you more anxiety and can lead to more problems once depression kicks in,,, lets hope not,, its not the best world to be in, Let the doctors do there stuff and try to be positive which as stated earlier, easier said than done,, but one good thing is that this forum and its community are great listeners and are only a thread away always ,.my thoughts are with you and others Hoping for a good outcome..

 

[buzzmobile]

ct with contrast

How did the images turn out, @Smokerman? Lying still is important for clear images with a CT scan. CT scans can take a while. Did you cough? How was your breathing during the scan? If all went well with the scan, you had good practice.

Is there a place, a time, an event in your memory that causes a smile or comfort in your mind? Are you able to think on that thing or those things that gave you peace? When fear comes to mind remember the good.

 

[Smokerman]

The only one who’s going to tell me the results will be the surgeon. I just get extremely anxious for procedures that require me to be awake, never used too so it’s getting worse every time they want to do something. I told her give me sedation and you can do whatever you have to.

 

[buzzmobile]

I just get extremely anxious for procedures that require me to be awake, never used too so it’s getting worse every time they want to do something.

I was a blubbering mass of anxiety the morning of my prostate biopsy. Doctor gave me versed.

 

[Cuddles]

So I went to the hospital this morning all ready for the bullshit and they canceled it because I took my daily aspirin. I was told to stop my blood thinners which I did, nothing was said about aspirin.
I lost it , I said cancel the whole fucking thing.
It did not go well.

aspirin is acetyl salicyclic acid which IS a blood thinner. In fact it is often prescibed as a blood thinner. they should have told you this at the time. what a bummer

 

[Cuddles]

Not sure if this will help you but ever since I discovered lungwort tea I can breathe sooo much better.
I´ve had major issues since I got a (very rare for me) cold a few years ago and my respiratory system was so congested that I couldn´t get enough oxygen and even had serious panic attacks.
This year in march or april I found out about lungwort and decided to give it a go. You can get it in capsules but it´s much cheaper to buy the tea.
I´m still amazed how quickly this stuff works. I can tell the difference even before I finish the entire cup!
It´s way more better than asthma spray, lol

 

[HarleyJammer]

aspirin is acetyl salicyclic acid which IS a blood thinner. In fact it is often prescibed as a blood thinner. they should have told you this at the time. what a bummer

Aspirin is not actually a 'blood thinner'. Aspirin deactivates platelets; which in the normal clotting cascade stick to each other to form the clot to abate bleeding. I have a degree in medical lab sciences and worked in the Special Hemotology Dept. The coagulation cascade is mind blowingly complicated. This just in itself will make one think that there is some type of Intelligent Creator.

 

[HarleyJammer]

So I went to the hospital this morning all ready for the bullshit and they canceled it because I took my daily aspirin. I was told to stop my blood thinners which I did, nothing was said about aspirin.
I lost it , I said cancel the whole fucking thing.
It did not go well.

The staff F'd up not informing you about the aspirin. The doc doesn't want you to bleed out on the table -- thats why the procedure was cancelled.

By the way, the proper terminology for 'blood thinners' is anti-coagulants.

 

[iTarzan]

What were the results Smokerman? Are you going to be ok?

 

[dogzter]

My breathing is not so good lately. Constantly trying to catch my breath.
Had my 6 month lung ct a couple of weeks ago and follow up with the doctor last week.
Dr says there’s something on my right lung that wasn’t there 6 months ago so he wants to do a biopsy scheduled for next week.
My breathing has gotten a lot worse in the last few months.
Not gonna lie, I’m pretty nervous about this one.
Not really sure how to deal with this one.

Quit smoking it kills you.
I was a heavy smoker of ciggs and weed for 37 years and couldn't breathe anymore either.
Quit smoking everything in 17 and got some quality vaporizers (most vapes suck but not all)and haven't smoked since 17.
I breathe like a kid again my lungs X-Ray spotless and I feel excellent.
All while getting way higher on a lot less weed.........look into vapes.

 

[Cuddles]

Quit smoking it kills you.
I was a heavy smoker of ciggs and weed for 37 years and couldn't breathe anymore either.
Quit smoking everything in 17 and got some quality vaporizers (most vapes suck but not all)and haven't smoked since 17.
I breathe like a kid again my lungs X-Ray spotless and I feel excellent.
All while getting way higher on a lot less weed.........look into vapes.

good for you! All I have managed is to do roll ups and consume less in total. Still spending too much on it though
Giving up certain foods and changing my diet was much easier!!

 

[Smokerman]

Hey everyone hope all is well.
Been having a flare up for about the last week or so. Dr gave me some prednisone which helped a bit. Had an appointment with respirologist the other day and they did the breathing tests which obviously didn’t go well.
I was told I now have stage three emphysema which sucks shit but I blame nobody but myself.
Still using Trelegy daily and rescue inhaler. Doc doesn’t think oxygen is necessary yet although I disagree, waking up every hour gasping for air is not fun.
Thanks for the veteran badge, although I rarely contribute anything useful.
Take care of your health.

 

[CharlesU Farley]

Hey everyone hope all is well.
Been having a flare up for about the last week or so. Dr gave me some prednisone which helped a bit. Had an appointment with respirologist the other day and they did the breathing tests which obviously didn’t go well.
I was told I now have stage three emphysema which sucks shit but I blame nobody but myself.
Still using Trelegy daily and rescue inhaler. Doc doesn’t think oxygen is necessary yet although I disagree, waking up every hour gasping for air is not fun.
Thanks for the veteran badge, although I rarely contribute anything useful.
Take care of your health.

Very well spoken and honest.

I'm US-based and am I registered respiratory therapist. I don't know your case, I'm not a doctor, don't give medical advice, ...blah blah blah blah blah.

Probably the reason you why you feel so short of breath at times is not because your oxygen level is low, but because your carbon dioxide level is high. I haven't practiced in a very long time but we used to teach purse lipped breathing techniques, as well as relaxation exercises when you get SOB.

Best of luck to you! It's a tough road you're going to have to walk but a lot of people have walked it before you. Reach out for assistance from your health care support group when you need it.

 

[Cuddles]

Hey everyone hope all is well.
Been having a flare up for about the last week or so. Dr gave me some prednisone which helped a bit. Had an appointment with respirologist the other day and they did the breathing tests which obviously didn’t go well.
I was told I now have stage three emphysema which sucks shit but I blame nobody but myself.
Still using Trelegy daily and rescue inhaler. Doc doesn’t think oxygen is necessary yet although I disagree, waking up every hour gasping for air is not fun.
Thanks for the veteran badge, although I rarely contribute anything useful.
Take care of your health.

I´m sorry things haven´t gotten better for you
Thanks for mentioning these meds though. I´m gonna check them out as I have pretty similar issues.
I´ve been considering seeing a specialist too. There´s one in my area so I´ll be making an appointment some time this year.