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MIL Going to See Oncologist--does This Sound like Cancer?

Hi Moms,

My lovely MIL has had a persistent cough now for the past year and a half. She takes good care of her health (she's 73), but was a smoker in her younger days. She has seen an internist, pulmonologist, and her primary doctors, but doesn't have a definite diagnosis. The docs have mentioned COPD and possible allergy to blood pressure meds that she is on, but from what she tells us, no definite diagnosis. The internist and pulmonologist say it's not lung cancer. The primary doctor is the one sending her to an oncologist later this month because her bloodwork came back questionable. In the past four months, she has lost 25 pounds, does not have an appetite, and is fatigued. We (all her kids) think she may be hiding important information from us. What I told you in my post is exactly what she has told us. My MIL also thinks she MAY have leukemia. Any advice on this one, ladies? Could this be cancer?

Thanks moms.

M.

What can I do next?

So What Happened?™

The toughest part is that I feel so helpless. I wish that there was something I could say or do to make things easier or better. We'll have to wait and see what the oncologist says and go from there. I'm grateful for this site for the advice and support. You all make things so much better:)

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I've always thought of oncologists as lump doctors. Some lumps are cancerous, but others are not. There are benign cysts, too, but you don't know what they are till the doctor's done a biopsy. Coughing could also be TB. It could be a lot of things. There's no point in worrying while test results are still coming in. What will be will be.

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coughing can be a main symptom of lymphoma, not just lung cancer. all you can do is take the info she gives you, wishing you all a good outcome.

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There is no sense in worrying about what she might have until she sees the doctor. I would suggest that, if she allows it, you or one of her children accompany her to her appointment. Sometimes as people age, they don't hear (or want to hear) or understand the information that is being given to them. Also, if there is some type of diagnosis given to your her, her children might have questions regarding the diagnosis, treatment, etc.

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It could be esophageal cancer, with the fatigue, weight loss and loss of appetite, and given her history of smoking. If it was though, I would think they would have figured it out by now.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/esophageal-cancer/DS0050...

Leukemia is a possibility, my father had it so I am pretty knowledgeable on the subject, though there are 4 different types that present, my father's was chronic, but he got it young and died when he was 49.
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/tc/leukemia-topic-overview

Whatever it is, it could be something minor or life-altering. Jst be prepared for either. Hoping for the best.

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The cough could definitely be related to medication. I know at least two people that had this, and it resolved by switching medication. The weight loss and blood work is a little more worrisome, and she may NOT be telling you everything. I would try to relax until the oncologist reports back. There is no point guessing and getting upset, when it could just be a precaution.

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I've always thought of oncologists as lump doctors. Some lumps are cancerous, but others are not. There are benign cysts, too, but you don't know what they are till the doctor's done a biopsy. Coughing could also be TB. It could be a lot of things. There's no point in worrying while test results are still coming in. What will be will be.

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Definitely sounds plausible. That's probably why she's visiting the oncologist. Some people are not interested in sharing everything about their health, so you'll just have to go with what information she's willing to share. Its also possible they just don't know anything more then that yet.

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without being a doc I wouid say possibly something else but my dad did that with throat cancer coughed alot so no telling. and yes my dad did hide his cancer from us as long as possible. and never told us how bad it was he brushed it off.

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Definitely could be cancer. The cough, which may be a blessing in disguise, could be from her BP meds. I got mine changed after coughing well over a year, and it went away. I also take an allergy pill daily and that's meant I never cough unless I get a cold. Weird bloodwork can definitely mean a blood cancer. My hubby's in remission from multiple myeloma, one of the blood cancers. Back pain and screwy bloodwork are what got us to an oncologist after a few months of messing around. Be supportive of her and just be there for her and all of you try to keep a positive diagnosis.

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