Phone call from radiologist

[dianetavegia]

I got a phone call from the radiologist who read my Chest CT Scan re the cluster of pulmonary nodules likely infectious or inflammatory in etiology given the appearance. He wanted to know if I'd been put on medication for a chest infection. He said he is 90% (PLUS) sure that this has nothing to do with my cancer and wanted to know if I had started coughing since my scan was read a week ago.

I started coughing about 3 days ago, tho it's a dry cough with just a tickle in my right side. He said he'd like for me to be on an antibiotic for 10 days to 2 weeks and have another chest CT after in a month to 6 weeks sent for him to read.

He said 'nothing in medicine is 100%, but I feel very sure this has nothing to do with your cancer and is just a chest infection that was beginning'. He said 'I'd tell you not to worry, but I know that's pretty impossible once you've had cancer'.... what a NICE guy!

So, I've called my oncologist to see if I could get a script through him. I talked to the first nurse who had a second nurse call me back. A third nurse wanted to know if I was having shortness of breath or night sweats. Nope, just a tickle dry cough. My oncologist isn't in the office yet and they'll let me know if he will call something in. I don't see him until next Tuesday mid morning. (Oncologist ordered 7 days of medication).

I told the radiologist I usually post an NED and didn't want to do that if 6 weeks from now .... He said 'we see these all the time and they usually resolve very quickly once the patient is treated for the infection so I have no problem with you saying you're NED. Also, it's been five years since your liver met and the four nodules we've been watching in your left lung have been there, unchanged, since your first CT scan in Feb. 2009.'

I wish all doctors were as kind and conscientious as he.

Diane

[LPL]

Diane, what a nice doctor!!
I hope your cough will disappear quick with the Antibiotic and then you can relax

[kellywin]

That's great Diane! I just had my annual CT yesterday - I know my doc is not contentious and will wait for my appointment next week before he calls. My prior Onc (who I had all through my treatment) retired and I ended up with this new guy - he never calls, just makes me wait for my appointment. I wish all of them were as kind as the team you have.

[dianetavegia]

Kelly, my onc is not what you think! Eight years, 1 phone call! He won't give me results but the hospital and Labcorp does. This was the radiologist at Wellstar who took this upon himself because I'd asked about the word 'developing' through the hospital 'ask a question about your results' function. HE's awesome.

Dr. W. would just say 'fine' when I asked about bloodwork. 'Perfect' when I asked about scans. I had four lung nodules and didn't know it for years until the hospital began posting scans on MyChart! Thankfully, they're benign and remain unchanged for 8 years now.

UGH....... Yep, my office visit is the 11th. I had an MRI early March and the CT scan on March 28th. I had to go around him to see my scans.

[fumaros]

This is good news, must provide hope and a great sense of relief.

[DarknessEmbraced]

What a nice radiologist!*hugs* I hope the antibiotics clear up your cough and you feel better soon!*hugs*

[TXLiz]

Never ends, does it? It's always nice to hear that a medical professional is kind, competent, and caring. So often they seem detached and don't seem to take any interest in making sure they speak with you and treat you as a person. When it happens it's wonderful.

Hoping the antibiotic takes care of your cough and lung issue. Good thoughts and prayers headed your way.

[GrouseMan]

As Voxx would say HA! I guessed right on this one.... I think you are going to be just fine. Your Radiologist is a good one. Hang on to him. Don't let anyone else read you scans from now on!

GrouseMan

[dianetavegia]

Thanks guys. The cough is more often today with some discomfort but no gunk. No fever. Had a headache yesterday but that's gone. Just took my 5th dose of antibiotics. Gosh I'm so blessed that radiologist called! This feels like walking pneumonia. I had it in 2014 and it was found on my CT scan and that radiologist called my onc who did NOT give me meds and 3 days later I was at the walk in clinic feeling bad and dry cough.

I'll have a follow up CT in 5 or so weeks
Thanks again!
From Diane Tavegia

[WriterGirl1969]

Oh Diane - I'm so glad to hear that this is most likely all it is!
Not that I didn't suspect that right off.
Thank goodness for such a nice Radiologist to give you the head's up so you could start antibiotics earlier.
I hear you on the unresponsive Onc. Mine is the same way. I had to go around him a lot... which just makes me all the more thankful when I find a medical person who is helpful and kind. God seems to put them in the right place at the right time.
--Tracy