Hi

I'm a 51 year old male, current non smoke but have had periods where I have smoked throughout my life.

In October last year a stressful life event saw me taking to smoking and inhaling cigars on a daily basis.  About 8 weeks ago I caught a chest infection that really floored me for weeks. I lost my voice and had a host of other symptoms.

My voice has all but returned but is still a little 'off'.

My GP sent me to a consultant that I saw yesterday and she had two xrays...one taken when I was I'll recently and the other from a few years ago.  There was some slight shadowing at the bottom of my lungs but otherwise clear.  She says she is very confident it's nothing to worry about and might just be some damage as a result of smoking.

I have a bronchoscopy next week  but now my mind is going into overdrive.

Am I over thinking things?  How do I rationalise it?