The dreaded rescan of the lung nodule!!

shoppygirl

I am due to go for a ct scan on Sept 6th to follow up on a 6mm lung nodule that they found upon my dx in March of 2013.  I had it rescaned after chemo in September and it was exactly the same, no change so the drs said it was probably a granuloma.  My drs said I could have it rescaned in a year and I was very happy about that.  Now the year anniversary is looming and I am finding myself very anxious about the ct scan.  I find myself not wanting to plan anyting around the time of the scan, just in case the results are not good.  I was doing so well not thinking about it but I seem to be slipping into my old anxious, obsessive ways. I am due to host a ladies event at my house the week after the scan but I feel anxious about doing it in case the results are not good.  It seem like everytime they scan they find some weird thing.  I also have a thyroid nodule that was boipsied and is benign but I am still very freaked out about the ct in September!!

Help!!

Ariom

Shoppygirl, I understand how you're feeling, I had a nodule discovered after a serious chest infection while overseas, years ago. It was before all this stuff, but when my specialist said he wanted it scanned again, in 12 months, I was relieved, right up till I had to arrange the next scan!

Fortunately, it hadn't changed, I was so relieved. Then the specialist said, "We will Xray it in another 12 months and if there is no change we can disregard it. Not what I wanted to hear, but as it happened, the Xray was done as part of my pre op for my Mx, I was really nervous, but there wasn't anything visible, where it had been.

I know how awful it feels, but these things are very common, and can be very B9! I have read of others here, who have had a similar experience with these nodules.

I wish you all the very best! 

shoppygirl

Ariom

Thank you!  I wish I could just believe what the drs tell me about this thing but these scans make me crazy!!

Hugs. 

Ariom

I totally understand Shoppygirl! I don't want to have any more scans tests or surgeries either!!!! lol

shoppygirl

Exactly! I just had an xray for stiffness I have been having post chemo. Thank goodness it was clear but I almost had a nervous breakdown waiting for the results!! 

wallan

I had a lung nodule show up on a chest xray in the ER when I was having chest pain. Fortunately, the chest pain turned out to be nothing, but I was immediately scheduled for a CT scan of the nodule for every 3 months. After two 3 month scans, and no change in the nodule, they changed the CT scan to every six months.   This was last year and I had been 9 years out from dx of BC.

Waiting for results for the first scan was nerve-racking. When it came back the the nodule was unchanged, I felt better. So the second scan was less anxiety provoking and so was the third.  The 4th scan is due in December.  I am not worried actually. Since they found the nodule, I have researched about nodules and now know how common they are for anyone. I believe my nodule is benign.

So hang in there!  It seems to me that every time I have a health problem that requires a doctor visit, I am probed for recurrance even if I think it is something entirely different. Its a relief to  be so watched over I guess.  At the same time, it makes me reluctant to go the doctor unless I really have to because taking time for medical tests is not my favorite thing. Its the joys of being a cancer survivor I guess. Our new normal.

Wendy

shoppygirl

Thanks Wendy

I think the waiting for the test results is the worst part !  

Thanks again for your support!! 

flannelette

A few years ago I too had to have a battery of tests (due, in fact to a rash from hell that made my lymph nodes enlarged, but of course, they were looking for mets). all they ever found was a lung "granule" almost probably a scar left over from some old lung infection. Still, I had to have it checked after 3 months. UGH!  No change. Great! Then, i think, after another 6 months. UGH. No change. Great! 

Finally, just as i was about to be kicked out of our cancer centre after 5 years, my oncologist noticed that another MRI was coming up for the granule. she asked who ordered it. it was my breast surgeon. she said, well, I guess you might as well do it since you're booked. and that was good enough for me. i just never went. Like sneaking out. had it with scans. i understand now why they don't do them routinely as so much small stuff turns up to scare the **** out of us.

then. a few months ago i got a bad chest cold. My lungs felt so congested. coughed & coughed. anxiety loomed: was it the dreaded granule finally metastazised? Really, I had to take anti-anxiety meds. then the cough lessened down to nothing but it took a long time. Now I'm back to never wanting them to prod/invade/investigate me again for the rest of my life! I sure do get how you feel! But I'll bet anything it's not changed one bit and after this and all the useless anxiety I think you should just sneak out, too.

shoppygirl

flannel

Lol, what a great story! It made my night!  I would love to sneak out on it but my nurse is pretty in top of these things and she would not be happy with me!  

Hope999

Boy do I know how you feel.  My scan is the week after yours for a 1cm lung nodule discovered May 2013.  It will be 10 months since my previous scan and now I'm wondering why did I agree to wait that long, especially since metaplastic tends to go directly to the lungs.

Hang in there.  Sorry I can't give you any advice about planning anything because I tend to put my life on hold until the results, lol.

shoppygirl

Hope

We will have to do some cyber hand holding to get us through our scans. 

I pray for benign results for both of us!  

Hugs!  

momand2kids

Shoppy

as you know, I had a lung ct in May because I was sick all winter-- looking for pneumonia, etc.  I had 2 clear chest xrays--- felt fine in the lungs-- 

there were two incidental findings--nodules on my thyroid, and a 7 mm nodule on my lung.  The lung one freaked me out... I dealt with the thyroid issue this summer--but was still really worried about the lung.

Here in Boston, the protocol seems to be a ct scan every 3 months for two years, then they figure it really is nothing.  I really think that this nodule is a result of my being very sick this winter-- our bodies make nodules sometimes to protect from infection.  

I was re-scanned on 8/19-- not growth !!!  The pulmonologist from the very beginning has said it is not suspicious for cancer, and that it had not grown was further evidence-- could have been there for over 10 years since the birth of my last child.... 

Anyway, he is so unconcerned that he is letting me go back in 6 months instead of 3--so I will go back in Februrary.  He reviewed all the films with me and is very convinced it is nothing.  So are two of my dear friends who are also pulmonologists.... one of them told me that most of her practice was filled up with people who had benign nodules... 

I love my pulmonologist because he is so smart and well regarded so I believe what he says.... I am sure I will be  little anxious in February, but I take it as a good sign that it has not grown in 3 months.... if it was cancer, that would not have been the case...... 

Hang in there-- I know it is hard-I was a bit of a mess until he told me the good news

I then went and bought myself a drink and a new dress!!!

keep us posted.  sounds like it will be fine.

shoppygirl

thanks Momand2kids

You have had quite a lot to deal with. I am so glad everything worked out with the thyroid cancer and that you are ok! 

I keep telling myself that it will be fine but I still have that little nagging voice in my head that says "what if"? 

Hugs to you ! 

peacestrength

Hugs, shoppy.  

Nancy2581

I know what you mean.  I am recently diagnosed (June).  In July I had a pet/ct scan where 3 lung nodules showed up.  My onco said they were teeny tiny ( her words).  They are about 5 mm.  She said they had the best radiologist reading my scans and they are not concerned. How do they know? She told me lots of people have lung nodules.  I still worry about them even though my MO said my pet/ct scan showed no evidence of metastis and nothing suspicious showed up. I hope they are right about those nodules

peacestrength

The issue is that they don't know unless a biopsy is performed or the nodules change in size.  I too have lung nodules and they are tiny torture devices...stressful.

shoppygirl

Very stressful!  It seems like every time you think you are in the clear for one thing, another thing crops up!  Geez!!!

Valsa123

who else can one believe but the doctors?...wish I could give you some words of comfort...keep your faith!

Valsa123

waiting is the worst part..hope your results cone out good.

LakeGirl2

peacestrength . . . tiny torture devices is the perfect description! I too am part of the 6 month rescan club. Hate when it rolls around.

shoppygirl

Totally agree!  It is torturous to have to deal with this!  My scan is comming up on Wednesday and I am doing my very best not to worry about it!! 

peacestrength

Thinking about you shoppygirl...let us know how you are.

peacestrength

Lakegirl - when did you find out that you have lung nodule(s)?  Before or after treatment?

shoppygirl

Thanks Peace!  

Lakegirl

I am wondering the same. It's always interesting to know how these things are found. 

Beatmon

I went in the hospital for iv antibiotic  therapy for possible implant infection in August. I was 2 years out from BM. No pocket infection but found 40-50 lung nodules that were mets. Don't blow off your follow ups please. Found my by accident.

shoppygirl

Beatmom

I am so sorry that this happened to you. I hope you are doing ok and responding well to treatment. What kind of treatment are you on? 

As much as I don't want to, I go to all my follow up appointments. It's always better to know. 

Tomorrow is the big day and then the results a couple of days after. 

Thanks. 

MrsDarcy

I also have nodules on my lungs - but "only" found out when I decided to switch hospitals due to lack of doctor follow-up and requested my file.

I was sitting in the kitchen, reading my CT scan of December 24 when I read "nodules" and "must have follow-up CT scan every 6 months".  NOBODY ever told me !!  I saw my "old" oncologist in November - and last email was in March.  He never told me to make an appointment, and when I asked, he ignored the question.   Never had a 6 month follow-up with him - ever.  He just dropped me like a hot potato.

So I changed hospitals and oncologist.  My new one is great - and I have sent him the CT scan report so that he is prepared when I meet up with him mid-September.  My father has nodules on his lungs, and has CT scans every so often - however his are not growing.  This could be a hereditary thing for me - but SOMEBODY needs to get on the band-wagon and help me figure it out.

If they "are" something more than "nothing", you can bet that the old oncologist is going to get a piece of my mind .. !!!!

Follow-up appointments and doctors who read your file and actually "explain" what they see / find make all the difference

shoppygirl

Mrs Darcy

That is horrible that he did not follow up on your nodules.  I hope that your meeting with your new oncologist goes well. 

I have been very fortunate with my oncologist and my  rad oncologist. They have been very good at reviewing my scans and letting me know their opinion of the nodule. 

They have referred to it as a scar or granuloma as there was no change on my last scan.  I still need to follow the protocol to check it.  I just have huge anxiety for any type of medical test. 

Good luck to you!! 

MrsDarcy

Shoppy - I hope your nodule stays as is or even better, disappears

shoppygirl

Thanks Mrs Darcey!! 

shoppygirl

I had my ct today there was no change to the lung nodule and no new findings ! 🎉🎉🎉 They told me that my nurse navigator could look up the results tonight. I was going to wait till Friday but I couldn't. Good thing I called her as she is going away for a month. 

Anyway the nodule is now unchanged for the last year and a half so it most likely is benign. 

I am so happy!!

Thanks to everyone for your amazing support! I don't know what I would do without you guys!

Hugs to all!!