life after hemoptysis

[Debi]

My experience mirrors Amy's. My first bleed happened about 4 or 5 months ago. I wasn't stressed. In fact, things were going great. I'd been feeling wonderful. I reached for the phone at work to make a call, and wham, out of nowhere the gurgling started and I began coughing up blood. Lots of it.

For weeks afterwards I thought constantly about it. Would it happen again? How would I know it was coming? What if it happened in the middle of a meeting at work? In the grocery store? Every time I reached for my phone at work I wondered if it would happen. I was making myself crazy with it. Finally, with the passage of time and the realization that I couldn't predict it, but I could probably handle it, the anxiety lessened.

I think it's a good idea to talk to the coach. For me, COLD water worked (I had a much more minor episode of it about two weeks later) both times, so I feel like I have some control if it happens again. He might just want to let a few people know what to do for him in case it happens again.

I'm sorry he has to deal with so much at such a young age. But, as Amy said, he will definitely be capable of handling more of the things life throws his way than his peers.

 

[mom2lillian]

My response is pretty much the same. After a bleed I worry about it all time and even 'taste' my mouth trying to tell if I can taste a hint of blood and check all my kleenex's when I cough for traces --it is really bad but then further out I get the less I think about it. I guess carry kleenex and act like he got a bloody nose if he doesnt want the guys to know?

I dont really know but if you find a great way to get over the fear let me know because it freaks me out and I think about it alot post bleed. Lately I started thinking about it again becuase it has been so long (knocking on wood).

 

[mom2lillian]

My response is pretty much the same. After a bleed I worry about it all time and even 'taste' my mouth trying to tell if I can taste a hint of blood and check all my kleenex's when I cough for traces --it is really bad but then further out I get the less I think about it. I guess carry kleenex and act like he got a bloody nose if he doesnt want the guys to know?

I dont really know but if you find a great way to get over the fear let me know because it freaks me out and I think about it alot post bleed. Lately I started thinking about it again becuase it has been so long (knocking on wood).

 

[mom2lillian]

My response is pretty much the same. After a bleed I worry about it all time and even 'taste' my mouth trying to tell if I can taste a hint of blood and check all my kleenex's when I cough for traces --it is really bad but then further out I get the less I think about it. I guess carry kleenex and act like he got a bloody nose if he doesnt want the guys to know?

I dont really know but if you find a great way to get over the fear let me know because it freaks me out and I think about it alot post bleed. Lately I started thinking about it again becuase it has been so long (knocking on wood).