nodules on lung & adrenal gland

katehudson25

My lung biopsy is being done this Tuesday. I am praying Tues. night will come fast

lizinmontreal

Hi Kate,

I hope your lung biopsy will be fast and easy. Try not to stress over the week end. I find that keeping busy is the key. You tend to forget all the "bad" stuff.

Enjoy your glass of wine or two!

Liz

wishiwere

Liz, have you heard any more on your nodules, lung or adrenal? Your situation is so familar to mine, it's weird.  I did a lot of reading on the adrenals, (mostly b/c I did the arimidex for 3 and 1/2 years) and I know they work by keeping the adrenals from producing estrogen.  So i was concerned, but everything I've read says that unless you are having adrenal symptoms like high bp and so forth, then it's not a problem. Also, unless they are over 3-4 cms, they don't do much about them.  Mine was actually the same size they orginal said my first breast tumor was, about 1.7X 1.4.  That's scared me till I read more. And this last CT done the end of feb didn't show this apparently, or at the least, it was not mentioned.  I'm scheduled for the 3rd CT in June 7th.  I'm hoping that they have all disappeared miraculously, but of course, am not holding my breath.

I am keeping you ladies in my prayers while I wait for retesting and hope you are finding comfort from sharing with family and friends untill you find more out also.  Hang tought ladies~

lizinmontreal

Hi wishiwere, I'm still in a holding pattern. I haven't been called yet for the MRI. The MRI is to check the adrenal gland. I'm not sure if it's also for the lung nodules. I haven't had any problems such as high bp, only tiredness but that's not unusual for me. I've read the same as you that they don't do much about the adrenal nodules unless they get to a certain size. I still can't seem to wrap my head around this "size" business. They tell you that it's better to catch cancer when it's still small yet when they find "small" nodules, they say to wait. Wait for nodules to get bigger and cancerous?

Basically at the moment I'm trying to calm myself knowing that the nodules are still small and the MRI is not urgent (I guess). It just scares me that they are on lung AND adrenal.

All of last December and January I had very annying rib pain on cancer side. When I saw my rad onc, he ordered a bone scan but told me that he wasn't worried. I had the scan done in March and just got an email from him 'No cancer in bones'. I actually broke down and cried. I think I cried upon hearing good news because I'm stressed over those nodules.

I'm glad that you're scheduled already for another CT. I'm hoping that you'll get good news.

I'll post again when I find out more. In the mean time, let's keep positive.

wishiwere

I know it's hard not to be in panic mode.  Been fighting it myself.  My problem is the fear that the one nodule that's grown so much is about the size of a pea that they took out of my dad's lung back in 83 or so.  He lived another 5 years but dang...like you say, catch it earlier and treat it before it's NOT treatable?  So why are we waiting.  The adrenal really isn't  bothering me b/c I'm so worried about the lung i guess.  Just hate this wait and see....at what point do we say, you know what? I need another opinion.  I keep reading about doubling size being so indicative of cancer.  Mine grew from 3 to 7 mm in 134 days, which is in the realm of a  cancerous growth rather than an infection or such.  JUST HATE WAITING~  GIVE ME AN IV THAT WILL KEEP ME SEDATED TILL JUNE, PLEAESE?   Hang in there, will get through this~

lizinmontreal

Wishiwere, I hear you............what did the doctor say about the nodule that grew to 7mm? Was he concerned? I think (and I know this stinks) that they can't do a biopsy until it's nearly 1 cm....and 1 cm is still considered small. It's the waiting and not knowing that plays on people's nerves.

I also read that lung nodules that are 3 centimeters or less are less likely to be malignant than lung masses that are greater than 3 centimeters in size. But we are breast cancer survivors and at higher risk.

I'm sure that the people who are supposed to schedule my MRI have no idea that I'm at high risk. Maybe that's why I'm not getting the call.

wishiwere

OMGOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Lost a long post...can't do it again tonight, will write tomorrow~  Sorry`

wishiwere

Hi again Liz.  Yes, over 3 cm they consider a mass, and I hope these are just 'incidentals', but I'm not going to fool myself.  I'm at high risk, my father died at 64 from lung cancer, my history of 42 years as a smoker, history of breast cancer and I work in a place that allows smoking, so I'm around second hand smoke 3 days a week since I quit.  I didn't talk to the doc after this 2nd CT in feb, only the nurse who stated he was asking for a repeat scan in 3 months to see any changes.  It worries me b/c in 134 days, it grew from 3 to 7 mm.  More than doubling.  That's a very good indication from everything I've read of cancer.  Surprisingly, they dont' mention much about the description of that or the other nodules.  Ground glass was mentioned, but in the surrounding tissue, I believe, not the actually nodule from what I read.  Honestly, I know the same rad guy didn't read both, and nothing was even mentioned of the larger nodule on the adrenal, although I'm not symptomatic, so really not as concerned about it, he doesn't know that.  And the pulmanary doc mentioned he wan't that looked at the 2nd CT and yet it's not mentioned.  Just too many ?'s to make me comfortable I guess.  Another 8 weeks I guess, OMGOSH I can't wait 2 MORE months~ UGH?~~~~~~~~~~~~  THey said 3 months, that's 4 again~ Eeeeeeeeeeek~  I hate docs, have I mentioned that in the last day...surely I have

lizinmontreal

Hi wish, hang in there. I know that you're worried because those nodules have grown but they are still small. It's good that your doc is keeping a watchful eye on them.

I got a call this morning for my MRI. It's May 31st!!!! Waiting is not my strong point! And it's only for the adrenal gland. Now I'm going to have to see my family doctor and ask him about the lung nodules follow-up. 

wishiwere

Thanks Liz~  I'll be keeping you in my prayers, that May 31st, comes quickly for you and you get that B9 result we all pray for

Qbertanne

Well here I am again a place I never wanted to be.  Out of the blue oncologist wanted to do a CT scan.  9mm nodule non-calcified found on left upper lung (left side was breast cancer side) anyway going to have a PET scan soon (needs to to be pre authorized by insurance).  I tried in so hard to not let breast cancer be who I am and it just never ends.  Every test, every doctor's visit all I hear is "because of your history".   I have tried so hard not to be the "cancer" patient (that is how I was referred to once) but it looks like that is who I am.   The fear of every test, every ache or pain is at times almost unbearable.   I just want to be normal.  I look up and ask is that too much to want.   OBTW if you could not tell having a real pity party this morning.  Have not been able to sleep, eat since nodule was found.  I keep thinking could I have done something different.  I am overweight: did I bring this possible recurrence on myself.   I know there are no guarentees but just once...........Thanks for listening whoever is out there.       

Moderators

 Pity parties are totally welcome here! And no, you did not bring this upon yourself. And no, you are not "the cancer person". Don't let that be your identitiy!  You, like millions of us out there, have a stupid disease -- that's it. Be kind and nuturing to yourself. That's how you help can beat it. You are not alone!! 
(((((((Hugs)))) from the Mods

wishiwere

{{Qbertanne}} We'll have to do some hand holding waiting for test and results.  I try hard not to dwell either, but we do have to continue on in life until we know for certain.  Dosen't mean we don't have those pity me times where we suck at eating healthy, thinking healthy and being healthy.  Just means we need more often to breath deeply and cleansingly and get those bad vibes gone....man I wish I could follow that advice Hang in there...My single nodule has become many and the original grown from 3 to 7 mm....in the 2 CTs...this CT schedule for Friday is going to be paid in cash, b/c dh's employer decided to quit paying on the insurance (even the funds he withheld from the men) and so I am now without insurance unless I can come up with $6900 by june 9.  Oh yes, let me just empty this piggy for you BC/BS~ NOt....PIGGY is more than lean these days especially since I just got laid off from my 5 year job  LIfe sucks inMichgan for certain~

Hang tight...when is your next CT?

lizinmontreal

I had my MRI of the adrenal gland last Friday and will only get the results on June 17th. The actual MRI was a piece of cake but I'm nervous about the results. I had to pester my doc about getting a follow up CT for those lung nodules and he finally faxed in the requisition. Now the waiting begins or rather it continues. I just wish I would know what is going on with those nodules but no one seems to be in a hurry ......except for me, of course.

And to top it off, first the MRI on Friday followed by a colonoscopy on Monday morning. It was a crappy weekend! Ha, ha, ha! But colonoscopy was clean so I'm happy about those results. I thought for sure that some polyps would be found. I think once you've had breast cancer, you fret about about everything.

lizinmontreal

Wishiwere, your CT is coming up soon. I'm thinking of you!!!!

lizinmontreal

Hi, I'm just popping in to give an update.

I saw my GP about the MRI results of the adrenal nodule yesterday. Well, it turns out that it wasn't a nodule after all. It was the adrenal gland itself which had a small section that was bent over. Who knew something like that could happen. All this stressing for nothing but what a relief! Now I'm waiting to be called for another CT for the lungs.

And yesterday, to top it off, my grandson was born. So it was a WONDERFUL,wonderful day for me!!

Ryanthebman

That is such great news! Thanks for letting us all know what happened. I have been following this post for a few days to see if you would pop in!

My mom was recently diagnosed with IDC and my father passed away a month ago at the age of 51 =/

This is my first post but I have been reading alot on this website and it's a great community!

lizinmontreal

Ryanthebman, I'm so sorry that you lost your father recently... now on top of that your mom has been diagnosed with breast cancer as well.

Please feel free to post..there are many fabulous people here who are very knowledgeable about this disease and who will help with any questions you may have. I hope that your mom will get a treatment plan soon.

cp418

Hang in there Liz.  I had biopsy on lung nodule identified as a granuloma with prior bronchitis and allergy hx.  They can be quite common as you may have already researched.

lizinmontreal

Thanks,cp, for your words of encouragement.

lizinmontreal

I know it's been a while since my last post but I thought I'd get back to anyone who has followed it. I had my appointment with my GP a couple of days ago regarding the lung ct done on August 13th. 

All is stable, no growth! But it has been 7 months of worry. I asked if the nodules could disappear and he said no.

So to anyone who is concerned about lung nodules, it may not always be bad news.

I think mine are probably due to the radiation treatments that I had (just my own thoughts) but I will ask my radiation oncologist when I see him in January.

bevin

Liz- this is good news and I'm happy to read this update.

Stay well

Bevin

shoppygirl

So glad for you Liz. I too had a lung nodule. I just had my follow up ct scan two weeks ago and it too was the same size. All the worry and agony I put myself through was crazy. I now have a nodule on my thyroid that they said is stable! Crazy what they find on us with all these crazy scans!!!