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(MAC/MAI) Mycobacterium Avium Complex Pulmonary Disease: Join us
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Oct 29 5:15pm | Replies (9350)Comment receiving replies
I have tried to give a sputum sample but I live in the country over an hour away from a lab and, so far, have not been successful. The pathologist's report and the nodules I can see on the scan, plus my doctor are all the information I have had so far. You have given me good questions to ask my doctor and I must do that sputum exam if it means standing on my head in his office! I am so tired now , I can't imagine having less active time. But thank you and wish me luck as I start the year. Very best, Kathryn
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@kwilbur (Kathryn),
I've never provided a sputum sample. Perhaps it was because my CT scan showed potentially serious stuff - I don't know. I'd always been quite healthy, am not a smoker but at that point was coughing up blood. My internist got me in to a pulmonologist in 2 days and the following Monday I had a bronchoscopy, the results of which were sent to 2 different lab areas -- one to find pathogens or bacteria or fungus, etc, and the other to find cancer cells. My pulmonologist called me that evening to let me know that one set of cells were growing bacteria like crazy (very good news to all!) - but a final determination of NTM/cancer/etc. was a few days away. It's SO important to get the correct diagnosis because if I had a fungus infection or lung cancer and they treated me for NTM/MAC, it would be devastating.
Best wishes to you on this journey.
Paula