5 tablets down - slight improvement

I have now taken 5 of these super duper anti-biotics. And thankfully they seem to be working. My pain is more of a dull ache now, in my chest. My shortness of breath is definately improving to. My energy levels are pretty low, and I keep needing to go to sleep.
My arms and wrists are covered in bruises.

Woke up this morning with a runny nose, and tickly cough, whether that is connected to my chest problems, I am not sure. But would much prefer a bad cold, to what I have been suffering for almost a week now.

Acute GP Care Unit

Was a long day yesterday. Got to drs at 8.50, to then be sent home and await a phone call from Acute Gp Care (based at taunton hospital) at 10am. Was told to go straight in and to take an overnight bag just in case. Rung Dave, he came home and we were in the ward (!!!!) just before 11.
I was sat in an armchair for the whole duration, apart from when being sent off for test etc. I knew it was gonna be a long day. I told Dave to go home at 1.30, as he was so behind at work, and although he was happy to stay with me, I knew he would only have to do it when we got home.
So Dave left, and I attempted to read my book, no chance, so many people coming and going.
Eventually got taken down for a scan, and they had to put the drip into the inside of my wrist as all my veins had fucked off somewhere by then. They had already had 3 goes in one arm and two in the other for bloods. Its so painful in your wrist. On previous CT scans, I hadnt needed a drip, so that was new to me. It was so it would show up my blood vessels in my lungs. So painful when the fluid was turned on that I let out a wince.
Anyway by 5.25, eventually got the results of the scan, and was told that they hadnt found what they were looking for (P.E.) so would be sending me home with anti-biotics. So to be honest they still dont know whats causing the pain, or the raised CRP levels. And they just hope that the antibiotics with knock it on the head.
Havent been brave enough to look up mosiac shadowing yet - scared shitless it will be cancer !!
So all tests etc probably havent finished yet, still on stricked instruction to ring 999 if I feel worse before I see GP (probably Tuesday) which is not at all re-assuring really.

These were the results of yesterdays hospital visit. (copied from letter I have to give GP)

Chest Xray - No obviously infection, No Pneumonia
Bloods - Raised Inflamm markers and Neutrophilia
CT Scan - No Pulmonary Embolism, but mosaic pattern shadowing on lungs

Needs to be refered to Respiritory Clinic
To have Bloods repeated next week
On one weeks Clarithromycin 500mg

C Reactive Protein

dr just rung. ECG ok. BUT my bloods are showing a high level of the C Reactive Protein, my GP is not at all happy, and I have to go back at 8.50 tomorrow. With the possibility of being sent to the hospital for Aqute Testing !!!

All fun and games in the Englefield house!

Bloods and EDG done. Still feel quite poorly. Dr looking at ECG this afternoon and will ring me with results if anything to be alarmed about. The only thing the nurse said was i had a fast heartbeat.
If i hear nothing today, I have to ring on Thursday afternoon for blood results, and take it from there

Chest Pain

Went to bed last night at 9pm, and fell asleep quite quickly. Woke up for a wee at 10.20, with a really bad pain in left side of neck. Felt like my gland was up. Only a few minutes later the pain moved down into my collarbone, and then sat in the bang centre of my chest. The pain is like a crushing pain and although there all the time, catches me on every breath in. Was up all night, debating whether I should ring an ambulance.
Went to doctors today, who is a little concerned. I have a slight temperature. My BP is normal, my sats are 98%
She has booked me in for an ECG and blood tests tomorrow.
Feeling very sorry for myself, still in pain and now very very tired
Was told if pain gets worse, or I feel nausea or breathless to ring 999 overnight

Oncologists Reply

Dear Mrs *****

I apologise for the delay in replying to your letter but I needed to review your notes to obtain the information that you require.

You presented with stage IIA Hodgkin's disease in 1981 and received mantle radiotherapy at a dose of between 35-39 Gy.

There is an increased risk of second cancers in patients with a past history of Hodglkin's disease whether chemotherapy, radiotherapy or combined treatment is required. Cancers related to radiation usually arise within the radiotherapy field and it is therefore likely that your past history of breast cancer is a consequence of mantle radiotherapy.

Your other two cancers are likely related to suppression of your immune system as a consequence of your past history of Hodgkin's disease and neither of these would have been detected by CT scan. Routine surveillance CT scans are not indicated in this situation as the pick up rate is low and each scan involves the administration of a significant dose of additional radiation.

Vigilance is required to monitor for future problems and any unexplained symptoms should be reported to your GP. Avoidance of risk factors for cancer (eg smoking) and active involvement in National Screening Programmes (eg cervical smears) is also to be encouraged.

If you require any further information then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind Regards