1. < Lung Health

Cavitary lesion and wall thickness ?

Posted by jewel8888 @jewel8888, Mar 15, 2017

Hi there, im new to this groip. Last year i had a 3 month review for an upper left lobe cavitary lesion. Bronchospy couldn't reveal any information, the lesion isi5n difficult spot to get enough sample. Three months ago thr next CT scan revealed the size was the same but the wall thickness is a bit smaller than before. My next CT is soon and i want to be prepared with questions but dont know where to begin. I have RA and psoriatic arthritis, and also suffered a fall before all this started. Please let me know if you have any suggestions....i see the cardio/thoracic surgeon in a couple weeks and he said if not smaller they want to get me in surgery....thank you

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Jen_b | @jenblalock | Apr 4, 2017
In reply to @katemn "@jewel8888, Julie, PLEASE keep us posted! We will help in any way we can .. we..." + (show)
@katemn

@jewel8888, Julie, PLEASE keep us posted! We will help in any way we can .. we are NOT doctors .. but will try to help. Keep asking questions! Sending you hugs and LOTS of positive energy! Katherine

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Hi Julie, I was wondering who you see at MUSC. Also, do you live near Charleston? I live in Mount Pleasant.

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Jen_b | @jenblalock | Apr 4, 2017
In reply to @katemn "@jewel8888, Julie, PLEASE keep us posted! We will help in any way we can .. we..." + (show)
@katemn

@jewel8888, Julie, PLEASE keep us posted! We will help in any way we can .. we are NOT doctors .. but will try to help. Keep asking questions! Sending you hugs and LOTS of positive energy! Katherine

Jump to this post

Kate, yes we do seem to be traveling a similar path in our diagnosis. I have a CT Scan scheduled in about a week and a half then a visit with my local doc followed by a visit to NJH, May 1. If CT Scan is still good I hope to be set free for awhile since meds stop April 30th. Whoohoo!

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Jen_b | @jenblalock | Apr 4, 2017
In reply to @katemn "@pamelasc1, Pamela interesting that you should ask this question! I asked this VERY question re: the..." + (show)
@katemn

@pamelasc1, Pamela interesting that you should ask this question! I asked this VERY question re: the use of Qvar a steroid inhaler on my March 7 appointment. I have been using Qvar for quite a few years .. 2 puffs 2x per day for my MAC and Bronchiectasis .. questioning how it could be affecting my immune system. Dr. Aksamit's answer for me? That dealing with MAC or Bronchiectasis .. the risk/reward was worth the continued use of a steroid inhaler. SO... I continue to use Qvar because I trust my Pulmonologist at Mayo Clinic .. BUT I think EACH of us must speak to our own Pulmonologist re our own particular health situation. Hope that info helps? Hugs! Katherine

(I will forward your " did not get my Connect today.. does this sometimes happen with any of you? ' to Colleen .. maybe she can check on it?)

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I"ve been using saline since I never feel like I know when to stop with the Aerotbika. I don't see using the saline for the rest of my life though so this is good info. If I only have to do it a couple times, twice a day, then that is doable and something I can live with.

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jewel8888 | @jewel8888 | Apr 4, 2017
In reply to @katemn "@jewel8888, Julie, PLEASE keep us posted! We will help in any way we can .. we..." + (show)
@katemn

@jewel8888, Julie, PLEASE keep us posted! We will help in any way we can .. we are NOT doctors .. but will try to help. Keep asking questions! Sending you hugs and LOTS of positive energy! Katherine

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Dr Denlinger, go at 12 today. Sorry thought i said that last night, guess i was groggy. Lol.

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jewel8888 | @jewel8888 | Apr 4, 2017
In reply to @katemn "@jewel8888, Julie, PLEASE keep us posted! We will help in any way we can .. we..." + (show)
@katemn

@jewel8888, Julie, PLEASE keep us posted! We will help in any way we can .. we are NOT doctors .. but will try to help. Keep asking questions! Sending you hugs and LOTS of positive energy! Katherine

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@jenbalock. Ill be seeing Dr. DENLINGER, chief cardiothoracic surgerym. This will be my second visit with him. Im in Myrtle Beach, he travels this way to see patients but surgery is at MUSC if needed.

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Jen_b | @jenblalock | Apr 4, 2017
In reply to @katemn "@jewel8888, Julie, PLEASE keep us posted! We will help in any way we can .. we..." + (show)
@katemn

@jewel8888, Julie, PLEASE keep us posted! We will help in any way we can .. we are NOT doctors .. but will try to help. Keep asking questions! Sending you hugs and LOTS of positive energy! Katherine

Jump to this post

Yes. I know Dr. Denlinger. Good guy. I was going to ask him about my condition when I worked there but never did. Best of luck today! Let us know how it goes! - Jen

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Katherine, Alumni Mentor | @katemn | Apr 4, 2017
In reply to @katemn "@pamelasc1, Pamela interesting that you should ask this question! I asked this VERY question re: the..." + (show)
@katemn

@pamelasc1, Pamela interesting that you should ask this question! I asked this VERY question re: the use of Qvar a steroid inhaler on my March 7 appointment. I have been using Qvar for quite a few years .. 2 puffs 2x per day for my MAC and Bronchiectasis .. questioning how it could be affecting my immune system. Dr. Aksamit's answer for me? That dealing with MAC or Bronchiectasis .. the risk/reward was worth the continued use of a steroid inhaler. SO... I continue to use Qvar because I trust my Pulmonologist at Mayo Clinic .. BUT I think EACH of us must speak to our own Pulmonologist re our own particular health situation. Hope that info helps? Hugs! Katherine

(I will forward your " did not get my Connect today.. does this sometimes happen with any of you? ' to Colleen .. maybe she can check on it?)

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@jenblalock .. Jen, with the Aerobika .. I "stop" by judging the sputum .. how much I am getting up .. ie quantity and color. If I am still getting up quite a bit with "color" .. I know it is worth the effort because that means I am getting up "bad stuff" that CERTAINLY is a breeding ground for mycobacterium that I do NOT want down there! I mentioned previously a "private" issue that is kinda yucky but works for me . personally I do my Aerobika over the sink which is white .. that way I can "see" exactly the quantity and color of what is coming up. I also carefully use a Clorox cleaning spray for the sink. I am being honest in telling you my method because though it may be "yucky" it gives you a very clear idea of just what is going on in your lungs. Katherine

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jewel8888 | @jewel8888 | Apr 5, 2017
In reply to @katemn "@jewel8888, Julie, PLEASE keep us posted! We will help in any way we can .. we..." + (show)
@katemn

@jewel8888, Julie, PLEASE keep us posted! We will help in any way we can .. we are NOT doctors .. but will try to help. Keep asking questions! Sending you hugs and LOTS of positive energy! Katherine

Jump to this post

@jenbalock @katemn

I am happy to report Dr Denlinger says he is now certain it was an infection that is getting better and not cancer that he was concerned about. His staff were all excited to see yhe difference in me over 4 months. He will ct in a year for followup but his smile meant everything to me,. He was supportive of me staying on methotrexate as it has been the key to my improved health. Ill continue to try and get dental work needed, swim again, and increase exercise. Handling mixed connective tissue diseases is hard enough so im delighted to be getting better. The support and care i have received here has been so encouraging, thank you all for everything.

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Katherine, Alumni Mentor | @katemn | Apr 5, 2017
In reply to @katemn "@jewel8888, Julie, PLEASE keep us posted! We will help in any way we can .. we..." + (show)
@katemn

@jewel8888, Julie, PLEASE keep us posted! We will help in any way we can .. we are NOT doctors .. but will try to help. Keep asking questions! Sending you hugs and LOTS of positive energy! Katherine

Jump to this post

Jewell, I cannot tell you how happy I am for you! .. and that you found our Forum to walk your walk with you .. we do have such wonderful Members on our Forum! Do keep us posted .. good news or whatever .. we are rooting for you! Hugs! Katherine

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 5, 2017
In reply to @katemn "@jewel8888, Julie, PLEASE keep us posted! We will help in any way we can .. we..." + (show)
@katemn

@jewel8888, Julie, PLEASE keep us posted! We will help in any way we can .. we are NOT doctors .. but will try to help. Keep asking questions! Sending you hugs and LOTS of positive energy! Katherine

Jump to this post

@jewel8888 This is fabulous news. I'm throwing my handful of confetti in celebration. I'm so glad that the MAC community was there to support you and for the support and information you provide others.

If you would like to join people talking about mixed connective tissue diseases (MCTD), I invite you to post a message and introduce yourself here:

- MCTD (Mixed Connective Tissue Disease) http://mayocl.in/2oJwj7W

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