Just diagnosed, Pre treatment, found lung mass

Jenpinc

Hi I am 39 yo and was just diagnosed with IDC 3.8 cm, axilla node positive. My BS was waiting for gene test results to determine treatment. An MRI was done on Friday and a mass and nodule were found on my right lung. Having a lung biopsy tomorrow. I am terrified and thinking the absolute worst. How can I go from early to stage IV in a week. Has anyone had this experience and perhaps it turned out ok? Or I hate to think it but maybe a separate cancer that can be treated? I haven't slept or eaten and can't even look at my kids without crying. Any info appreciated.

edwards750

Bless your heart you are so young to be dealing with this. Keep in mind you don't know for sure what the mass or nodule is yet. Lung modules are very common. My sister had one that the doctor said was probably there for 20 years. It can be due to an infection or scar tissue from an infection. She was having a MX so the doctor said they had to check it out to be sure it was nothing. It was.

Take a deep breath and try and stay busy. Any distraction will help take your mind off what's coming. If need be get something from your doctor to help you relax.

We are here to help in any way we can. You will get through this. Keep the faith and keep us posted.

Diane

Jenpinc

Hi Diane- Thank you so much for your reassurance. I actually feel a lot better after reading through so many stories on here. I know I'm not alone in my fear or my situation. The support is magical. I am still terrified but I know whatever comes my way can be dealt with. And my kids will have their mom for a long time to come. Xo

beach2beach

Hi,

So sorry. Just like the above poster said, could be scar tissue from past infections etc. MRI's aren't foolproof either. I know how hard it is espec with kids, I felt the same way. I know it's easy to say to try and take a deep breath, I never did, but until it all comes back and you know exactly what you are dealing with, push through if you can with the daily things. Hugs to you...and keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Teddy88

Hi JenPinc:

I am sorry that you are dealing with this worry. I read your post earlier and was thinking of you. I logged back in and see your follow-on post and love that you read the boards and got strength. I also love that you say you will get through - yes you will!

The best advice I have gotten here was to be sure and take things one step at a time ( so much easier said than done but the advice is right on! and to remember that when fear grows, we can ask God, Source, Nature - whatever brings you peace - to take the worry from your shoulders and carry you through. Those two pieces of advice from women I did not know kept me afloat, and I hope it will help as you walk through the next few weeks.

Wishing you good luck and hope you will keep us posted.

Love,

Belle xx

pari143

Dear jen

First of all I am sorry that u r joining us in here . This is a great board where people share their own experience with one another. My mom was diagnosed on 2012 at her initial test they found a small nodule in her lung but after a CT the mass turn out to be a non cancerous noudle. Try to calm ur self I hope and pray that ur test comes back as clear . Sending u hugs

shoppygirl

Jen

I too am very sorry that you're having to deal with this.

After my initial diagnosis I had a CT scan and they found a 6mm lung nodule. At the time, I had never heard of such a thing before and quite honestly, it scared the life out of me. It was the only thing I could think about during the entire time I did my treatment. I had a scan after treatment and it showed no change. Then I had several other scans for a period of two years with no change and it was determined to be scar tissue from an old infection.

One of the things that really helped me through it was coming to this group and seeing how incredibly common it is to have a lung nodule. Good luck with everything and keep us posted.

Hugs

edwards750

Let me add a incident from a friend of mine who went to a clinic because she had a slight pain in her upper back. She had been picking up her twin grandsons so she thought it was a muscle pull. Btw she is 6 years out from early stage BC. Anyway the PA did a blood test that was negative and a chest X-ray. The chest X-ray showed multiple lung nodules in the lungs and in the left lung which is where she had radiation 6 years ago.

She told her to get it checked out at the cancer clinic where she had her mammograms and see her Oncologist. There was no previous chest X-ray to compare it with. Her guess was scar tissue but of course she didn't know. The Radiologist would. My friend has constant allergies. She literally sneezes every day. No evidence of pneumonia. One lung wasn't completely clear and she was wheezing a bit.

The PA sent the X-rays to the Radiologist. My friend said she would wait to see what the Radiologist findings were. The PA got ticked and said the Radiologist would agree with her.

The report came back the next day as normal. Detailed explanation of their findings which my friend shared with her doctor. She has since had a complete physical with an internist. So my point being doctors are being cautious which is good but often panic sets in because we assume all doctors agree on a DX. They don't.

Keep us posted.

Diane

Sabina1974

Hi Jenpinc

I to had a bone scan and a ct scan and they found a mass in my liver turned out to be just a cyst and I have probably had it for years. Problem with doing all these scans is that they find that really are not worth worrying about. But of course when you get diagnosed with breast cancer everything is a worry.

Sabina

Jenpinc

Hi! Thanks all for the comforting replies. I wanted to give an update after today's procedure. I had the lung biopsy and thank goodness the anesthesiologist showed up! It was touch and go for a while on whether or not he would make it. The interventional radiologist said he did not think the lung mass was related to the breast cancer. It did not show the same pattern as if it had metastasized. Phew! He did however think it was its own primary cancer. Not good news but I somehow feel like 2 separate early stage cancers are better than 1 advanced stage cancer. Although it will make the treatment mix more complicated and the lung will need its own set of genetic testing etc. I am exhausted and we have not even begun yet! How do we do it?! Thank goodness I have a supportive husband. I have 2 kids with special needs so when I say exhausted...I was already wiped out before this started

edwards750

My sister said the lung biopsy was tough to handle. I'm glad the anesthesiologist showed up for you too. I have a low tolerance for pain so I always want drugs.

Although not what you had hoped for I would think 2 primaries would be better than 1 that metasized.

I have a special needs nephew. I know how difficult that must be and you have two. You truly have your hands full. Glad you have such a great husband.

Doane

Kaso

Jenn - How are you doing and how is your lung being treated? I am due for my second Lung CT in next month. My first scan was 8/24. The first finding was- Lungs/Airways/Pleura : Respiratory motion degrades some of the images. Less than 4 mm noncalcified nodules are present in the upper lobes such as on images 39, 57, 60 of series 4. Calcified granulomas are present in the right upper lobe. There is mild right apical scarring with subpleural nodularity. In the subpleural right middle lobe anteriorly there is a predominantly bandlike density which is suspected to be due to due to scarring. The central airways are patent. There is no consolidation or pleural effusion.

My symptom was a hacking cough that started a month prior to my BC diagnosis. Throughout radiotherapy I focused only on my lungs as the cough grew and phlegm was non stop. I have been on steroid (5 days) and codeine pills (20 days) and I have an inhaler. My thoracic oncologist is frustrated with me and wishes I could be " more mindful" of the cough. I ended up after my last radiation treatment, and likely not related, with a 102 fever. I want to believe this is scarring perhaps from past bronchitis infections, but of course I have a deeper fear.

Jenpinc

Hi KasoI had no symptoms at all with the lung but I was diagnosed with primary lung cancer in addition to the breast cancer. They also found a suspicious lymph node near my heart but it is too risky to biopsy. There is also a nodule on my adrenal gland. All the results of these would determine origin and stage of lung/breast. I need a petscan but I don't have insurance. I made too much money this year even though I am currently unemployed so there is a big fight to get any coverage at all until next year. At this point they won't/can't start treatment without more information. And I can't get more information without insurance. Doctors just keep saying how rare and complicated my case is due to my young age and the fact that everything is on one side of my body. They are having multidisciplinary conferences to discuss me...overall I am not comforted but I have decided to go a natural route for now. Plant based diet, supplements, excercise. It's really all I can do while in limbo!

jen