General Medical issues thread

[prozac]

I have stepped back from AFF these past 14 days. Had a bit on my plate. Tests ordered by GP had elevated markers on blood tests and Chest Xray indicated a collapsed lung and something else that required investigation. GP suggested I head to ED. I arrived with laboured breathing and difficulty talking so got straight in. Sent for CTAP scan and Xray which revealed a large mass in the middle mediastinum, the area in the chest between the lungs and heart. The mass surrounds the trachea, 2 bronchi, a couple of arteries and pressing hard against the lungs has reduced my capacity, partially collapsing the left lung. It is also pressing against the heart, reducing heart function. I have a cancer, yet to be formally diagnosed but initially considered to be a Lymphoma.

Admitted 2 weeks ago now. Been poked, prodded, scanned, x-rayed, bone marrow biopsy. Now waiting on an inpatient PET scan at RNSP but apparently they only want to do me as an outpatient. My oncology team have said it is too dangerous for me to leave hospital without treatment so it is a Mexican standoff between NBH and RNSP. Respiratory team talk of inserting a bronchial stent if my airway shuts down in the mean time, but we cannot start any treatment until we know where else the cancer might be. Spent last 5 days in ICU after a 6hr operation last Thursday to get a biopsy sample from the mass in the mediastinum. Doing well now but transferred to the oncology ward this arvo which is a bit confronting ...

I won't be answering questions as I do not have sufficient knowledge.

 

[JohnK]

So sorry to hear @prozac. Hope all goes well.

 

[ellen10]

So sorry to hear @prozac . I will be thinking of you and hope your treatments and procedures go well.

 

[tgh]

I have been thinking about you @prozac.. my very best wishes and mega hugs

 

[maia200]

So sorry to hear @prozac - this would have been very confronting for you and the family and oncology ward makes it all too real. Sending hugs and strength. You are in good hands

 

[lakeman]

@prozac Sorry to hear of your issues and wishing the best for your progress.
Salutary lesson for all who visit this forum.
Chest X-ray is a simple and easily obtained test for prolonged respiratory symptoms.
Lung cancer is one of the commonest cancers and always needs to be ruled out.
(Aplogies to Prozac as this may not strictly be your issue )

 

[andye]

Best wishes @prozac. Enjoyed our chat at NBH. Hope all goes well

 

[prozac]

Best wishes @prozac. Enjoyed our chat at NBH. Hope all goes well

Good to catch up @andye . Subsequent had a 6hr op Thursday to secure a biopsy, Dr Grainger operating blind behind chest wall trying not to damage any critical vessels. Took 3 attempts and almost gave up twice. So now I have plenty of holes in my chest. First 2 days in ICU dosed to the gills with pentathol and ketamine for the pain caused by the chest drains pressing on the intercostal nerves. Climbing the walls to get away from it. I ain't going anywhere for a while.

 

[love_the_life]

I have stepped back from AFF these past 14 days. Had a bit on my plate. Tests ordered by GP had elevated markers on blood tests and Chest Xray indicated a collapsed lung and something else that required investigation. GP suggested I head to ED. I arrived with laboured breathing and difficulty talking so got straight in. Sent for CTAP scan and Xray which revealed a large mass in the middle mediastinum, the area in the chest between the lungs and heart. The mass surrounds the trachea, 2 bronchi, a couple of arteries and pressing hard against the lungs has reduced my capacity, partially collapsing the left lung. It is also pressing against the heart, reducing heart function. I have a cancer, yet to be formally diagnosed but initially considered to be a Lymphoma.

Admitted 2 weeks ago now. Been poked, prodded, scanned, x-rayed, bone marrow biopsy. Now waiting on an inpatient PET scan at RNSP but apparently they only want to do me as an outpatient. My oncology team have said it is too dangerous for me to leave hospital without treatment so it is a Mexican standoff between NBH and RNSP. Respiratory team talk of inserting a bronchial stent if my airway shuts down in the mean time, but we cannot start any treatment until we know where else the cancer might be. Spent last 5 days in ICU after a 6hr operation last Thursday to get a biopsy sample from the mass in the mediastinum. Doing well now but transferred to the oncology ward this arvo which is a bit confronting ...

I won't be answering questions as I do not have sufficient knowledge.

So sorry to hear this prozac. Hoping they can identify and treat the mongrel thing.

 

[Pushka]

I'm so sorry to hear this Prozac. I hope that your medical team can get onto this as soon as possible. Even knowing what you are fighting can help just a bit.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Good to catch up @andye . Subsequent had a 6hr op Thursday to secure a biopsy, Dr Grainger operating blind behind chest wall trying not to damage any critical vessels. Took 3 attempts and almost gave up twice. So now I have plenty of holes in my chest. First 2 days in ICU dosed to the gills with pentathol and ketamine for the pain caused by the chest drains pressing on the intercostal nerves. Climbing the walls to get away from it. I ain't going anywhere for a while.

Such an ordeal for you and Mrs Prozac.
So glad you received expert medical care as quickly as you did @prozac
You are in our thoughts and sending positive vibes and best wishes to you both.

 

[mrsterryn]

Mr T did end up in hospital after last week
However has been discharged . Have to say it was the easiest one we have had , previously took hours as OzDuck said. Once decision taken to discharge him , we were in the car within 45 mins including cannula out, discharge papers and meds
Grateful I bought the car parking pass though eventually lol. We were back again for another procedure

 

[mrsterryn]

One thing in ER was interesting, the amount of Endone offered to people waiting to be seen.

 

[Quickstatus]

the amount of Endone offered to people waiting to be seen

As in its doled out like lollies?

 

[mrsterryn]

As in its doled out like lollies?

The people appeared to be in significant distress. They had already been seen by a triage (?) Nurse and then waiting for the next step in ED

 

[Cossie]

Not sure if this is allowed anymore, swmbo has been a bit off colour of late, all vacs that are available for us oldies are up to date, plus recent flu shots.
Rat shows +
Glad it didn’t happen a few weeks ago, sigh.
What do I do? Run away………….

 

[TheRealTMA]

Not sure if this is allowed anymore, swmbo has been a bit off colour of late, all vacs that are available for us oldies are up to date, plus recent flu shots.
Rat shows +
Glad it didn’t happen a few weeks ago, sigh.
What do I do? Run away………….

Buy scotch - single malt! - and take frequently with honey.

(It hopefully will be like a mild cold - not the scotch of course. )

An alternative maybe Paxlovid for her.

 

[cove]

Stay for the longhaul @Cossie as you know MrsCossie is a keeper.
Have Mrscove doing it tough so she needs a weekend of doing nothing to recover

 

[tgh]

What do I do? Run away.

Huh ? whaddarya.. a wooz… ??
Look it in the eye and walk right through it like a man ...if it comes by
Def the Paxlovid for swmbo if you are early.

Sadly, bro in law has lingering ( banned word) and is not a happy camper at all

 

[Pushka]

We just arrived in Jeddah Saudi Arabia. I met a sweet older lady in the elevator, she was going down to deck A which means either disembarkation deck on the aft elevator or Hospital in the Fwd elevator. Sadly we were in the Fwd elevator. Her husband is in the ships hospital and is being taken by ambulance to a hospital in Jeddah. . Their cruise is over and she, along with being worried about her husband, is now also stuck alone in Jeddah until he can fly home. She'd be in her 70's. A tiny thing.