Lung nodules

tangandchris

If it's not one thing its it's another. I have been very sick all week with stomach problems. DH took me to the ER to get checked out. While there they ran a CT and this was part of the finding.


Multiple small pulmonary nodules in the lower lung fields, greater on the
left measuring up to 5 mm. Given history of breast cancer, metastatic disease
should be considered.

Of course I'm scared. I'm waiting for more tests. I want to run far away though. Lung nodules I know are common. But this doesn't completely put me at ease.

Alicethecat2

TangandChris

Sorry you're going through this.

But could it be sarcoidosis?

Here's hoping.

Alice

Moderators

tangandchris,

We're so sorry for these new worrisome findings. Please know we are thinking of you! Let us know what you find out. We're right here for you!

--The Mods

tangandchris

Thank you for the good thoughts Mods!

Alice

I have no idea if that is a possibility. I am hoping obviously for the most benign reason. But I have moments of omg.

I reached out to MO on Friday and will follow up Monday. My GP said he is ordering more scans but maybe MO should? IDK, I think the fact that the report states several nodules has me shook.

AliceBastable

After I had nodules show up on a CT scan, my MO said a lot of people have them just from inhaling pollution. As long as mine don't change size, she doesn't worry. She told me that it's one of those things we don't know we have until we start getting CTs for some reason. I have to have periodic CTs to follow up for a different reason, so they're more or less monitored.

mitziandbubba

I have the same situation as Alice. The found something on my lungs while I was being diagnosed. I have had two scans since and since everything looks the same, they told me not to worry. They will continue to monitor for changes. The doctor thinks it could be from having many sever respiratory illnesses as a child.

TectonicShift

When I was first diagnosed and having my first scans, my surgeon said to me do not freak out if the scans shows nodules. Most people have nodules and things like nodules show up on scans all over the place.

But I understand your concern. Can the current scan be compared to any scans from the past years? I know you're having a scare with your skin right now too. It's the right thing to do of course to have the appointments scheduled to get everything checked out. Sending good karma your way.

2019whatayear

Stupid scary scan! I don't think it matters if it is your GP or MO who orders the scan, all depends on what you prefer and obviously you'll want ot make sure your MO sees it. On the plus side lung nodules 5mm or smaller are common and considered to likely be benign. If you didn't have a history of BC they wouldn't recommend any other test. My fingers and toes are crossed that they turn out to be nothing!

My husband's friend - his wife had non-hodgkins lymphoma (a couple years ago) and after treatment she had a CT scan that showed lung nodules and it turned out to be histoplasmosis - weird but what a relief!

tangandchris

I actually did look at some past scans and this is the first time lung nodules have been seen. Sooooo yeah that's a comforting comparison.

I'm a hot mess right now with my health. I've got some major stomach issues going on which led to scan in question. And yes....the skin issue as well.

Who am I kidding, I'm just a hot mess on general.

Thanks for your kind words ladies.

tangandchris

Im going in the morning for a CT on my lungs. This one will capture the full picture not just the bottom of my lungs. I'm trying to remain busy so I'm not dwelling on the possible outcome, but it's hard.

I keep telling myself that everything is going to be okay. But I'm not buying it completely.

I could use a hug from someone who really understands the weariness that comes with BC. I'm weary tonight.

Peregrinelady

Hugs, tangandchris. It is exhausting worrying about recurrence. At least you will know soon one way or the other. There are so many women here with lung nodules that are benign that I am hopeful for you to be able to put this behind you soon. 💓💓💓💓

Bright55

Super huggs my dear

I do hope if is not ...but

We are very lucky to have access to medicos..this isthe best of times for those of us to be diagnosed with progression the therapy if needed is groundbreaking

Yes I do have lung mets

Best of luck

Bright in hope

tangandchris

Thanks ladies❤

I am hopeful thar these nodules will be benign. I just want answers asap. If I'm told that we will have to rescan in a few months I will be so frustrated.

Bright55-

You went from DCIS to mets?? Unreal....how awful this disease is.

edwards750

tangandchris - I went to a clinic years ago because my shoulder was hurting. I thought it was due to picking up my twin grandsons so often who were 2 at the time. A PA in the clinic wanted me to have a chest X-ray primarily because I had had BC.

The tech doing the xrays was a moron. She kept asking me if I had an underwire bra on which I didn’t. Then the PA freaks out because there were lots of lung modules on the xrays. She said she wasn’t sure if it was an infection or scar tissue but insisted I should go back to the cancer clinic where I had my treatments for tests. I told her I would wait for the radiologist report. She said he would agree with her. He didn’t. No sign of the dreaded C word.

My sister had lung modules too and her MO said it was very common.

Try not to worry. It’s hard I know because I was a wreck after the X-ray results.

Keep the faith and keep us posted.

Diane

2019whatayear

hugs I hope you get good news ASAP

tangandchris

Thanks for the encouragement ❤

I'm waiting for my BS to call. The waiting is the worst. I called this afternoon and her nurse said she had the results but the doc needed to sign off on them. Either the nurse or BS will call once that is completed. BS was in clinic and surgery.

I've already analyzed the conversation and am left to wonder why I can't be told all clear, unless it's not all clear.

My logic tells me there are protocols for this and don't read into it.

So hopefully tomorrow I will know more.

2019whatayear

ugh for me that scenario is bad for my anxiety - to know the info was there but not available to be given to me.

Yes you cannot read anything into the results need to be signed off on -

MinusTwo

Yup - confidentiality rules. Did you know that Medicare can not discuss any diagnosis in your own medical file with you. Note the words YOU and YOUR file. Doesn't matter - apparently HIPPA rules prevent them from even telling you about something that a doctor filed incorrectly that is about you.

Hope someone calls today. Try not to distract yourself somehow, although that's much harder with the COVID precautions.

tangandchris

I've been working on fall craft projects to occupy my mind.

2019whatayear

❤️👍

tangandchris

The BS sent my report to my MO and he wants me to come in to discuss. I can't get in until Tuesday afternoon. This is torture having to wait. I'm seriously considering getting my report from the hospital tomorrow.

Lucy55

Tang ...if it were me I would go to the hospital and get a copy of the report ..It may well say that the nodules are most probably benign , but they want to to look at them again in 6 months to make sure there's no changes ....I feel so sorry for you having to wait ..the doctor's don't realise the terrible stress it causes .

sbelizabeth

This is something that sets my hair on fire--doctors that make patients wait for results that they have, right there in their hands. It's thoughtless, arrogant, and selfish. Yes, it takes time to call the patient and go over the results with them over the phone, but it doesn't have to be a lengthy conversation.

I'm with Lucy. I'd go to the hospital and demand a copy of my report.

tangandchris

I did pick up the report from the hospital. It looks like metastatic disease is strongly suspected.

I've attached a screen shot of the summary. It might be hard to read.

1. Numerous pulmonary nodules, and moderate thoracic lymphadenopathy, both new from prior chest CT from 2017, most in keeping with metastic disease.

3. 0.9 lesion in T3 vertebral body, either new or more conspicuous than on prior CT from 2017. Possibly hemangioma, although given history of breast cancer and other findings, a potential metastasis should be considered.

These are the big things that jumped out to me.

I feel numb right now. I cannot accept that I will likely have to tell my 11 year old this is happening again.

Im numb but also devastated.

MinusTwo

So sorry about the report Tang&Chris. Until you can talk to your doc next week and get more details and a plan, I definitely wouldn't say anything to your daughter. Hope you'll be able to sublimate somehow this weekend.

sbelizabeth

Tangandchris, what crapalactic news. I'm sorry. I have no words of advice, but I wanted you to know you'll be in my prayers.

TectonicShift

Tangandchris, So very sorry to hear about what sounds like a worrying scan report. You will know more next week. And you will get a plan and you will move forward. My doctor told me all stage III patients are really stage IV. I believe him. The trick now is to manage the residual disease as much as possible for as long as possible. There are more tools now than ever before to do just that. Please keep in mind that the science is moving very quickly. There's a website called cancerv.me that has helped me a lot. Maybe check it out. Sending good karma out there to you and holding you in the light.

AliceBastable

I'm so sorry. I hope once there's a treatment plan, it will ease your mind. I have a close friend who has been (in her words) "playing whack-a-mole" with various recurrences of ovarian cancer throughout her body for many years, and she says the only time she gets upset is between finding the latest recurrence and getting her treatment plan. Once she's started the chemo or radiation or has a surgery date, she feels like she's an active participant in her future again. Best positive thoughts to you.

tangandchris

Thank you again everyone.

DH described it last night as "no man's land". This feeling of not having the full picture is so awful.

I've already decided that I am going for a 2nd opinion at MD Anderson and I will insist on a PET if they don't suggest it.

BLMike

tangandchris -- Hang in there! Believe me, I know what you are going through. In April of last year, my wife went into the ER due to chest pains, and they discovered lung nodules on an x-ray. Given her history of BC they suspected MBC, but it took until June 5th to obtain the official diagnosis of MBC. That was the longest and most frustrating 2 months of our lives. "No man's land" is a very appropriate description until you get a clear diagnosis and clear plan of attack. I know it's frustrating and nerve-racking. Best of luck getting through this to whatever is on the other side for you.

I've found this community incredibly helpful in getting us through this and hope it helps you too. We're thinking of you.

tangandchris

As it turns out in addition to the numerous lung nodules seen on the follow up CT, there are also enlarged lymph nodes on my mediastinal and hilar. One of them is 4cm which MO said is quite large. There was a questionable lesion on my spine, but that has been ruled as a hemangioma.

MO seems fixated on the enlarged nodes more so than the lungs. I am not completely sure I understand the correlation between the lymph nodes being enlarged and possible lung mets. Does anyone know?

I'm having my PET tomorrow.