Collapsed lung and shadow on lung on CT scan?

Hiya there,

My children's dad went to hospital for a chest x-ray to due shortness of breath and crackly noise when breathing. Thy discovered his  right lung has collapsed. Then they see a shadow on the scan also. They spoke to him about possible cancer which he was really scared of. He's due to have I think it's called a broncoscopy where they place a tube down his throat with a camera etc on Tuesday. They did a physical examination today and they've told him he needs to have a gut xray. Thy also got a team over from another hospital today to have a meeting about it to confirm a diagnosis etc I'm guessing. There still not sure and I'm going crazy with anxiety as we have 3 children together 1 of whom my eldest lives with him. He doesn't really seem to want to know anything but I'm panicing and worring like crazy. Is it cancer? Why a gut xray if the shadows on the lung? Are they tryna find where a possible tumor is located? 

I'm hoping someone can ease my anxiety so I can be strong for the children. 

Kind regards 

  • Hi Sus90. Welcome to the forum at this terrible time for you.

    At this stage, no one knows what's up with your children's father; I'm afraid that cancer has to be a possibility, but not a certainty.  Shadows aren't always cancer and there are a number of reasons for a collapsed lung. 

    Right now, all you can do is trust the medical team to know what they're doing. They will have his best interests at heart.

    I suggest it's best not to wonder about why each particular test is done.  At the moment, finding out what's wrong is like a series of tick boxes.  The medics tend to run every test they can think of, gather the results, and then come to a diagnosis when all the facts are known.  This does mean that some tests won't actually find anything significant, but they're not to know that before the test is run.

    I'm sorry that I can't offer any words of comfort. The best I have to offer is a virtual hug.

     

  • Hiya, thanks for your reply. I have found out that it's possible lung cancer or some other sort of cancer of which we can't read the writing on his paperwork. About 4 weeks ago he rang the gp complaining of chest issues ie short of breath and a cough thy prescribed him a pink inhaler. When I went to see him to take children over to him I could hear his breathing was very crackly to which I tried to prompt him to go to hospital or back to the doctor. So he decided to face his anxiety and go a couple days ago to have a x-ray then a follow up CT scan a couple of hours later Tobe told his right lung has collapsed. Why haven't they removed the lung or treated him? He's a very proud man and has never really Been to see a doctor in his life. He has a bronchoscopy on Tuesday morning so they can look closely to confirm a diagnosis I believe. I'm so scared for him as he's only 34 and otherwise a very healthy man. We have 3 children together and so many people know and I'm petrified that it's going to get around and the chilren are going to find out via the wrong people. I'm gobsmacked and totally shocked and I'm scared for the Children. He was admitted but discharged himself. He will not stay in a hospital due to anxiety. I check in on him every day to see if he's okay. Kind regards, Susie