Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
Last Thursday morning, getting ready for work as normal. In the bathroom, just brushed my teeth, coughed and went to spit into the sink and was shocked, and frightened, to see quite a large amount of blood.
Having lost a brother to lung cancer not so very long ago, I was aware of the dangers and warning signs, choosing to ignore the dangers as I enjoyed my cigarettes too much, but keeping an eye open for the warning signs.
Rang the doctor immediately I got to work, and after speaking with her for a couple of minutes she said she would get the local hospital to call me back, which they duly did within half an hour.
An appointment was made for a chest x-ray, which would have taken place this morning, had things not taken a drastic turn for the worse on Saturday.
Friday came and went, I was still coughing up blood, still worried, of course, but happy in the knowledge that I was going to be looked at eventually.
Woke up Saturday morning, coughed a few times and was pleased to see that there wasn't so much blood, and stupidly thought to myself that things were improving.
Went to work, lunchtime came around and I needed to cough badly so went to the toilet to cough into the sink. Jesus Christ, the floodgates opened!!
Blood everywhere. I was terrified!!
Immediately drove home, picked up my wife and headed to the local hospital's A&E department.
Two hours later I saw a triage nurse who immediately arranged a chest x-ray, CT scan and took samples of blood, five in total. She fast tracked them through to get the results within an hour.
Chest x-ray showed clear, as did the CT scan. The worst part was waiting for the results of the blood tests, you always fear the worst, but thankfully they all came back "pristine" (to use her words).
I was immediately taken to a hospital bed and have spent the last 4 days confused, scared, (terrified in fact), wondering what the hell was happening to me.
More blood tests, injected with something to stop the bleeding, laying in a hospital ward was something alien to me. Have never been ill in my life.
After running masses of tests, the Doctor discharged me yesterday evening, diagnosis was an inflammation of the lung and bronchitis.
On antibiotics for the next 14 days, and have to return to the hospital within the next 3 months for another CT scan and chest x-ray as follow ups.
As a lifelong smoker, that's it. I have had my warning. Enough people have advised me over the years to pack it in, but I've always chosen to ignore them.
But I have smoked my last. Everything to do with the habit has been thrown out of the house.
I am under no illusions, I know it is going to be hard. But I am determined to see this through.
Even sitting here typing this, I'm thinking "I'd most probably be on my second fag by now". But it ain't going to happen.
My wife and kids have been terrified and it's not fair on them.
Apologies for the ramble, just wanted to share my experience and say "thank you" to the wonderful staff of the NHS. They have looked after me brilliantly.
Also a "thank you" to my friends who have kept in touch throughout my ordeal.
Let battle commence.
Having lost a brother to lung cancer not so very long ago, I was aware of the dangers and warning signs, choosing to ignore the dangers as I enjoyed my cigarettes too much, but keeping an eye open for the warning signs.
Rang the doctor immediately I got to work, and after speaking with her for a couple of minutes she said she would get the local hospital to call me back, which they duly did within half an hour.
An appointment was made for a chest x-ray, which would have taken place this morning, had things not taken a drastic turn for the worse on Saturday.
Friday came and went, I was still coughing up blood, still worried, of course, but happy in the knowledge that I was going to be looked at eventually.
Woke up Saturday morning, coughed a few times and was pleased to see that there wasn't so much blood, and stupidly thought to myself that things were improving.
Went to work, lunchtime came around and I needed to cough badly so went to the toilet to cough into the sink. Jesus Christ, the floodgates opened!!
Blood everywhere. I was terrified!!
Immediately drove home, picked up my wife and headed to the local hospital's A&E department.
Two hours later I saw a triage nurse who immediately arranged a chest x-ray, CT scan and took samples of blood, five in total. She fast tracked them through to get the results within an hour.
Chest x-ray showed clear, as did the CT scan. The worst part was waiting for the results of the blood tests, you always fear the worst, but thankfully they all came back "pristine" (to use her words).
I was immediately taken to a hospital bed and have spent the last 4 days confused, scared, (terrified in fact), wondering what the hell was happening to me.
More blood tests, injected with something to stop the bleeding, laying in a hospital ward was something alien to me. Have never been ill in my life.
After running masses of tests, the Doctor discharged me yesterday evening, diagnosis was an inflammation of the lung and bronchitis.
On antibiotics for the next 14 days, and have to return to the hospital within the next 3 months for another CT scan and chest x-ray as follow ups.
As a lifelong smoker, that's it. I have had my warning. Enough people have advised me over the years to pack it in, but I've always chosen to ignore them.
But I have smoked my last. Everything to do with the habit has been thrown out of the house.
I am under no illusions, I know it is going to be hard. But I am determined to see this through.
Even sitting here typing this, I'm thinking "I'd most probably be on my second fag by now". But it ain't going to happen.
My wife and kids have been terrified and it's not fair on them.
Apologies for the ramble, just wanted to share my experience and say "thank you" to the wonderful staff of the NHS. They have looked after me brilliantly.
Also a "thank you" to my friends who have kept in touch throughout my ordeal.
Let battle commence.
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