In a post on his Facebook page Stephen’s Story, he revealed breathing had become very difficult due to the collapse of his right lung – until he suffered a coughing fit.
He added: ‘After a lying there for a bit longer the coughing increased and then suddenly the shortness of breath became incredibly severe. Amongst frantic hand pointing and panicking I felt like I was suffocating. Then I forced out an oval red stained solid object through my mouth. My breathing and airway straight away felt clearer, but I spent the next hour violently coughing and choking, but then eventually my breathing once again stabilised.
‘Since then, my breathing has dramatically improved. I’m really stuck for the words of how to describe it. Throughout the night my throat was pretty sore but my O2 and other saturation levels are great. This morning I am relying on NO external oxygen to breath at all and I’m feeling bloody fantastic!
‘The doctors have discussed what’s happened and the only plausible conclusion is that I’ve literally coughed up a tumour (probably along with bits of infection etc) that was blocking my airway.
‘I have had an X-ray this morning which seems to show my right lung has inflated slightly, suggesting the substance I coughed up was also a significant pressure that was causing a restriction on the collapsed lung. Physiologically a tumour breaking away like this is possible, but it all just seems incredibly surreal – mind, I’m not complaining!
‘My lungs are still pretty messy with other tumours, clots and potential infections/inflammations/etc affecting my overall condition but, for now at least, I am in a good stable state. I have no immediate problems and in fact feel better than I did when I first came into hospital last Sunday!’
As Stephen’s progress was revealed via his Facebook page, the response has been phenomenal.
