LUNG NODULES

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jenn3
jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I went in for my 3 month check up today.  I told the onc about some rib pain that I've been having, he felt around didn't feel anything, then looked at my previous x-rays, CT scan and bone scan that have all been done in the last 6 months.  Nothing showed up that would cause alarm, but to play it safe he sent me for x-rays of the chest.  I wasn't home 20 minutes when he called to say that I have plently nodules on both sides of my lungs..........ugh!!!  He is ordering a CT scan for either Thurs or Fri and promised results on the same day (when I said I didn't want to wait over the weekend). 

I know that nodules are common and most of the time nothing to worry about, but they didn't show or weren't mentioned on my last few tests.  I am hoping that maybe.........just maybe they were there and that it wasn't a cause for concern which is why it wasn't mentioned. 

I have mixed feelings right now - the land of denial feels good, but then I do have that worry of what if and I really hate the "what if" game because it's a waste of time and energy. 

Oh well, I guess I'll have to keep busy until I have answers - I just wanted to share what was happening.  I'll keep you posted and thank you for listening to my ramble. 

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  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited February 2011

    Hi Jenn3,

    I have no experience with lung nodules but want you to know that I just said a prayer for you. I do have a thyroid nodule that turn out to be benign.  Hope yours turn out benign as well.

    Hang in there.  I agree, keep busy and try not to worry (easier said than done, I know).  Take care. 

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  • TiffanyF4
    TiffanyF4 Member Posts: 171
    edited February 2011

    I have nodules on my lungs also. They were found during my first scans and haven't really changed.  It is good that they are checking them out but to the best of my knowledge most people do have them. I would try to stay positive that it is nothing unless they tell you otherwise. Wishing you NED!

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  • Octobergirl
    Octobergirl Member Posts: 334
    edited February 2011

    I am sending good thoughts. We are all waiting with you.  Stay busy and seek out things that really make you happy this week. We Stage 3ers will surround you with support on the day of your scan.

    Molly

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited February 2011

    Saying prayers for you and hoping for good news for you Jenn!

    Hugs

    Bobbie

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  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited February 2011

    I agree, it's nothing unless they prove otherwise.  We'll be waiting with you.  Hugs, G.

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited February 2011

    Oh, Jenn, I'm in the "nothing until proven otherwise" camp too. But I can imagine how worried you must be.

    Hope your Dr can get you in for a scan as early as possible, the waiting sucks. But we will all be waiting with you. 

    Hang in there! 

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited February 2011

    I certainly hope they are just benign things...we all have stuff like that in our bodies.

    Here's a bit to lift your spirits. As I scanned the "Active Tpoics" and saw your thread title, my slightly dylexic self read it as LUNG NOODLES.

    "That sounds interesting," I thought.

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  • renee2010
    renee2010 Member Posts: 93
    edited February 2011

    Praying for you Jen,and thinking of you

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited February 2011

    Thank you for the good wishes and prayers...........I needed to get it off of my chest. Ha......just realized what I said, get it off my chest (or out of my chest).  Anyway,  I told my husband because I don't want to keep him in the dark or try to hide going to appointments.  But, I haven't told anyone else and need to say it.

    Nancy - Lung Noodles, funny -  hehehehehe

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  • littletower
    littletower Member Posts: 333
    edited February 2011

    Here's to noodles and not nodules:) Hugs, prayers, good wishes and energy - all headed in your direction.

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  • kim40
    kim40 Member Posts: 904
    edited February 2011

    Hi Jen

    I have lung nodules too.  They did show up on my initial scan and have remained unchanged since then.  I was told not to worry as the most healhiest person off the street can have them too.  Have you had the flu or a cold recently?  It could be something left over from that too.  Try to hang in there.  We'll all be waiting with you.  (((Hugs)))

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  • lululani
    lululani Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2011

    I'll also be thinking of and praying for you.  

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited February 2011

    I have one as well-they said it was from being sick ( bad cold I had) I actually had it found prior to cancer. Hang in there:)

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  • Kathleen26
    Kathleen26 Member Posts: 210
    edited February 2011

    Hope those lung nodules turn out to be nothing.  I wish when they found something they could do follow-up tests right away, because that waiting plays games with your mind.   Keep us posted on this, we are thinking about you.

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  • pj12
    pj12 Member Posts: 25,402
    edited February 2011

    Maybe someone can answer this for me....

    In my pre-surgery work up 2 years ago a spot was found in one lung on CT exam. Now every 6 months I have to have a lung CT. Each time it is the same but with some little reason that I have to do it again in 6 months. I even had a negative PET scan. But I still have to have another  CAT scan, they say. I want to stop worrying about this. I am totally without symptoms. I just feel like I am getting a lot of radiation I don't need. If you have a  spot in a lung how often do you have to get scanned? Has anyone chosen to stop looking? What would be the harm in at least getting scanned once a year instead of every 6 months?

    Do I dare ignore it?

    Pam 

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  • Annaanne
    Annaanne Member Posts: 190
    edited February 2011
    Hi Pam. 
    I don't have an answer...just an opinion...
    Lung Nodules are really common and usually b9.  They are scars from infections, etc.  Lungs are delicate and show lots of history.  After you have radiation, even more odd things can image on your lungs.  With your dx, I don't know why anyone would want to keep scanning you.  You have a great prognosis!  It's up to you to say..."enough, no more scans without symptoms."
    I'm a high risk, stage 3er and I went through a year of lung nodule scares.  They were nothing.  I haven't had a scan in 5 years (other than mammos, breast MRI's).   I'm doing great.
    This is just my pov...but...once some radiologist writes something scary on your report, the docs reorder scans.
    good luck
    Annaanne
    PS.  If you find you HAVE to have another scan, ask to have it on the same machine and ask for the same radiologist (or find the best in your area) to read it.   
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  • pj12
    pj12 Member Posts: 25,402
    edited February 2011

    Annaanne,

    Thank you for your opinion. I value the experience of the members here so much! You give me strength to have the courage of my  convictions!

    Pam 

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited February 2011

    Annaanne - from what I've read and learned along the way lung nodules are very common, they can be from colds, illness, the air we breathe or in some people they are just there. 

    My CT scans are tomorrow afternoon, hoping to have answers no later than Monday, I'll keep all of you posted.

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  • victoriasecret
    victoriasecret Member Posts: 333
    edited February 2011

    Thinking of you Jenn big hug, positive thoughts !!!...ml C

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited February 2011

    I had the CT scan of my entire torso, chest, abdomen and pelvis late this afternoon.  I'm guessing I'll hear from the onc either Monday or Tuesday.  I'll give him until Tuesday @ lunch before I call, but he's usually pretty good.  Until then I'll try to keep busy.  My youngest daughter is in from college this weekend on a suprise visit home and Monday is my anniversary - that should keep me busy.

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  • littletower
    littletower Member Posts: 333
    edited February 2011

    Thinking about you...sending hugs and good thoughts:)

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited February 2011

    I've been thinking about you Jenn, hope you can put this out of your mind somewhat over the weekend.(yeah right, I know....)

    Ahh, your Anniversary is Valentines Day, how lovely! 

    Sending only good thoughts!

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited February 2011

    Thinking of you Jenn!!PRayers and hugd

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  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited February 2011

    As distractions go, those are the best.  Enjoy your family.  We all hate the wait!  Thinking of you.  Hugs, G.

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited February 2011

    The hardest part of this wait is not telling my daughters (19 & 27), my Mom, sister and best friend.  But...........the weekend will get busy and I'll forget about this mess for a while I'm sure. 

    Today I woke up to hearing the birds chattering at the feeders and the sun streaming in through the windows.  The sky is blue, no clouds to be found and it's warming up.  I love this kind of weather. Life is beautiful!!!

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  • REKoz
    REKoz Member Posts: 590
    edited February 2011

    I hope you don't mind that I am posting here even though I am a Stage Oner. It's just that hearing you have lung nodules worry us all no matter where we are in the cancer scale. My very first PET before surgery should an 8mm nodule on one lung which remained the same in my after chemo PET. However, my Onc. has me doing PET's every six months. I have another in Feb. and I think if nothing has changed, I will be tested every year. My thinking is that it's just this first two years that he wants to be sure nothing changes. So far, so good. Of course, getting an all clear on this Feb scan will go a long way in convincing me that it's not cancer, but a common result of having had pnemonia.

    I wish you NED forever!

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited February 2011

    REKox - thank you for the good wishes and the same back to you NED forever.....

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited February 2011

    Hey Jenn..hoping for good news for you tomorrow...! Love you tn sister!

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited February 2011

    Hoping for good news today!!

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited February 2011

    Fingers and toes crossed for good news!

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