- Aspergillosis
- Interviews
Mos's interview
How did all start?
Several years ago I started coughing every morning until I would almost vomit. I would sometimes cough up greenish mucus. I would also have what I thought were asthma attacks but didn’t seem to have asthma all the time Ike my friends whi were asthmatics. These attacks would be violent hard to catch my breath and, in hindsight, were usually when bushwalking or in stuffy places like theatres. Two and a half years ago I noticed as all amount of blood when I coughed and the doctor did a. Best X-ray and said it looked fine. I had a gyno operation six on this later and about 2 months later had a much bigger amount of blood come up.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
Doctor sent me for a CT scan and said I had bronchiecstasis and referred me to a lung specialist. Five moire lung bleeds, brocoscopies, several CT scans, numerous blood tests and pathology and even though I had asked the spec if it could be mould related as I had noticed a pattern he said no. Was only when CT scan doctor put in report it looked like aspergillus I was told that came up in pathology and started itracoazole. After another bleed had an embolisation done on my lung to stop the bleeding.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
Lung specialist. The interventional radiologists seem to have stopped the bleeding. I am currently looking for a new specialist for a second opinion. Taking natural supplements through my own research and in the process of moving to a better house.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
The GP and specialist are so busy that I always felt rushed. One would tell me to see the other about different medications or treatment but none of them was interested in why or how I got this and neither of the to,d me what I should do to avoid aspergillus or what to do that could be dangerous with bronchiecstasis such as being in windy environments. The fact they didn’t listen to me meant my diagnosis took way to long and by then irreparable damage was done to my lungs. I now have a bit of a doctor phobia.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
It has changed my life profoundly. I haven’t worked in three years and have to avoid so many things and places.
What things have you stopped doing?
I can’t go bushwalking which used to love, no gardening, need to avoid stuffy air conditioning environments and don’t walk in the rain without a good mask on.
What do you think about the future?
I’m trying really hard to be positive but I am scared.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
Before these illnesses, before I had to think “can I” about everything I do before I do it. Because I look well I’m pretty sure people think There’s nothing wrong with me.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Just go about my days without feeling fear. Go bushwalking and into any building I want.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
Putting in a brave face but feeling unwell every day.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Get counselling and don’t be afraid to get a second or third opinion, it’s your life.
