Diagnosed, Delays and More

memba

Hi Everyone,

I've been lurking since I got my diagnosis and have finally decided to join this group. I'm having many challenges already with this disease but another problem is of concern that I'm not sure how to proceed. This diagnosis started with my first ever mammogram at age 50 in mid August 2015. I was also uninsured and got these screenings free of charge through grant programs. Because of the way the free screenings were set up in my city, my mammogram had to be repeated several times. Now my current MO wants to do another (my fourth mammo on the right breast) in December because it's been two months since the third one and he wants his own baseline and to see if there are any changes.

For the last couple of weeks I've already met with the BS and her team and the MO and his team. Finally had bone and ct scan last Friday. Got results yesterday and was informed that my bone and cat scans were clear of mets and other information. What is bothering me is that scans shows lung scarring. Coincidentally, I've had an abnormal sounding but occasional cough since October as well. Before receiving the results of my scans, I was worried that the cancer could have already spread because of several symptoms. I've never smoked, never had fractures, in general good health and weight prior to diagnosis. The things I've been having problems with this year was mild rib and hip pain and two uti's. The second uti was in October and was prescribed Cipro, which I took two and then decided due to potential side effects had the meds changed to Macrobid.

So, back to the lungs... Info from web says lung scarring = pulmonary fibrosis, isn't reversible and should get treated. Also, one of Macrobid's possible se is lung scarring. This has me concerned that if it's true, I'll be dealing with two complicated diseases. Since I suspect the scarring is present due to Macrobid and they want to start chemo in early December, the dilemma is if I should delay my treatment even more, to get checked for the lung scarring. As I mentioned before, although I was in good health prior to diagnosis around August, October was a turning point. Other recent symptoms are, tachycardia, sometimes leg weakness and mild numbing and overall fatigue. Still get my periods but the last one was light. The hip pain has been present since July and getting worse but not too painful. Ive read that lung scarring could also be associated with RA or hepatitis. I could have acquired hepatitis from picking/scabbing an acne scar for three years. Stopped picking after it became painful to touch and has healed since then which was August 2015. There was no way for me to know if I really had RA or hepatitis before due to being uninsured and focusing more on the breast cancer screening.

So, I'm potentially going to get treated for cancer, when since October, the other symptoms are putting me at a weaker state. I apologize for this post being very long as my first one. My situation has so much more complexities besides health problems. I'll leave that for another post. Will probably be as long as this one.

What do y'all think? And, does anyone know if I can see a lung (or any other) specialist with my breast cancer medicaid insurance? I've already asked people from my care team and my BS suggested I go see my PCP. My PCP is a provider through a free community clinic (not medicaid) and gives referrals, but it takes a long time and thus the reason for not getting treated for my cancer sooner.

Thank you for reading this and hope it's not too confusing.

dtad

Hi bemba. Sorry you have to be here but welcome. I just sent you a private message so I can try to answer your questions in detail. Good luck and keep us posted......

Moderators

Hi bemba, and welcome to Breastcancer.org.

We're glad you finally decided to join and open up your questions for our Community to weigh in -- we are comprised of some really incredible, helpful, and supportive members. We know you'll find our space welcoming, knowledgeable, and inspirational.

While we don't have any answers for you, we wanted to drop by to say hi. There are surely going to be many other members by shortly who can share their thoughts and advice.

We look forward to hearing more from you, and finding out what's going on with your lungs so you can move on to your breast cancer treatment without worry! Please keep us all posted.

Thinking of you,

--The Mods

memba

Thank you so much for the welcoming and all you do to help us when we need information, support and virtual hugs.

Sincerely,

bemba

sandcastle63

Bemba,

I'm a nurse and you should notify your oncologist of these additional symptoms. They can check out your lungs etc and will especially want to do so in preparing you for chemo side effects. Prayers going your way dear.

Lily55

You do not need to agree to chemo, you do have the choice..........you may benefit a lot from hormone treatment first, which is a systemic treatment like chemo,  and take time to sort out your other issues and then decide on chemo.

memba

Hey All,

I've been following up with one of the clinic doctors about my lung scarring. Records were found that the scarring had been there for several years already.

That doctor will run some tests next week. And as some of you advised, I'll also mention this to my MO on my next appt to see if he thinks I should start treatment as scheduled.

Thanks again everyone!

Moderators

Great to know, Bemba! Thanks for updating us. Please keep us all posted!

--The Mods