Throwing caution to the winds and hope I'm doing this correctly.
I was dx'ed in Feb. when surgical removal of LUL and biopsy of nodule encased in a benign tumor but no nodes involved and incidentally dx'ed with CLL at that time. No treatment for either dxes but follow-up labs and CT scans by Oncologist. Recent scan showed pneumonia but 3 rounds of Levaquin have not cleared up. PET scan showed activity but again, as pneumonia rather than cancer. She referred me to my pulmonologist.
Recent Bronchoscopy with washing, brushing and biopsies were negative for cancer but waiting on culture results for the pneumonia.
Can I safely rest easy with the above protocol? I'm so sick of being sick. And even sicker of the fear (that I have to hide from my family.)
Reply # - October 5, 2014, 03:25 PM
jshurt,
jshurt,
Welcome to GRACE. I am sorry that you have had to deal with all of this uncertainty, on top of all of the procedures you've had. Uncertainty can be one of the most maddening aspects of a cancer diagnosis.
It certainly seems that all the right steps are being taken. I'm assuming the adenocarcinoma nodule was fairly small; under those circumstances the standard is surgical removal without further treatment, accompanied by follow-up labs, scans and physical exams.
It is possible to get a false negative from a bronchoscopy, especially if the pulmonologist performing it does not feel confident that he/she was able to reach the area in question. Of course you'll know more after the culture results come in.If pneumonia is not found, then your pulmonologist may seek further workup, in addition to continuing follow-up scans, labs and exams.
I wish I could tell you to be completely worry-free but of course that's not possible. But I think you can feel comfortable that you are getting proper care.
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - October 5, 2014, 07:00 PM
It does seem that there's no
It does seem that there's no evidence of cancer, but it would certainly be helpful to get a clear diagnosis of the infiltrate being called pneumonia. Levaquin would USUALLY be an appropriate treatment for pneumonia, so if the lung lesion isn't responding, it would be ideal to know whether there's a bacterial infection that isn't sensitive to levaquin or if there's some other potential diagnosis. That may require doing a biopsy to see what grows in culture from that particular lesion, or what it looks like under the microscope.
Good luck.
-Dr. West
Reply # - October 6, 2014, 05:19 AM
Thank you for your replies.
Thank you for your replies. My pulmonologist is growing a culture taken from tissue during the bronchoscopy so I will be sure to share the results here. Again, thank you, I feel more sure of my confidence in my medical team.
Reply # - October 16, 2014, 05:23 PM
After a week of low-grade
After a week of low-grade fever (highest temp was 100.4) I saw my pulmonologist for lab results today. Brushings, washings and biopsies taken at bronch were all negative for malignancy. Culture was positive for penicillium only. Was there at first bronch but apparently of little concern given the mass in the left lung. He sent me for liver function labs and will begin an antifungal as soon as my insurance approves it. In spite of feeling unwell, it's the best news I've had in awhile.
Thanks for allowing me to share the news.
Josie
Reply # - October 16, 2014, 05:49 PM
Hi Josie,
Hi Josie,
Thanks for sharing your wonderful news!!! We always love to hear a diagnosis that isn't cancer.
Hope you feel much better very soon.
JimC
Forum moderator