CT scan with liver and lung abnormalities

Thank you for your responses, pj12 and FilterLady.  I've tried my best to stay away from the Internet today other than to research lung tissue biopsies since that's what the radiologist is recommending.  I want to be somewhat informed about next steps when I speak with my doctor on Monday.  I so hope this turns out to be a false alarm.  If it does, I've had one heck of a wakeup call this week about what I've been doing with my life for the past several years.  It's time to make some changes....that's for sure.  I just hope I'm going to remain healthy so I can make those changes.  And if it's not a false alarm, well, I guess I'm going to be making some lifestyle changes of a different type.  I'm really trying not to let my mind go there...easier said than done, though.  Since I read that report, it feels like I'm barely breathing at times.  I get uncontrollable shaking out of nowhere.  I have an overwhelming sense of dread and an incredible feeling of loss.  I hate feeling this vulnerable.  I'm so not ready to deal with any of this. 

Thought I would post an update. I spoke with my onc, who was as reassuring as he could be under the circumstances but who obviously can't give me clear-cut answers at this point. Mets can't be ruled out based on the CT scan, but they aren't a definite at this point either. He scheduled me for a PET scan on Monday morning at 7:30. And he looked up the results of my initial staging 6 years ago and said that the liver esions that are showing up today appear to be in the same area from back then...and they were hemangiomas, so it's quite hopeful that that's what we're looking at again.  Re the lung, he said when I had a severe cold in late May with horrible coughing fits, it could very well have been pneumonia or bronchitis and not just a cold and the lesion could be a slowly resolving area of infection.  So at least there's a chance that both sets of abnormalities could be benign conditions.  I'm holding onto that.

And I have to give my onc a shout out. He's such a dear, sweet man. He was in his car driving home for the day on Monday when he called me to discuss my test results.  I had had two studies done...a cervical MRI and the chest CT.  His office staff had only given him my MRI results, which were normal, so when he called me he thought he was calling with good news.  When I reminded him that I had also had a CT and that those results were questionable, he actually turned his car around, went back to his office, located the CT and my prior studies and called to discuss everything in more detail.  He chastised me (rightfully so) for getting the test results sent to me and scaring myself and then he gave me his cell phone number to call him if ever I get that upset again.  He's well past retirement age but is working still because he believes in what he does.  He has such empathy for his patients and is such a great person. I'm fortunate to have him on my side. 

Now I just have to keep praying for good results next week.  I fear it's going to be yet another long weekend.  But I'm calm.  I'm trying to just live my life as normally as possible between now and Monday. 

I guess I should figure out how to put my stats after my signature and start functioning as a "real" member of this board.  I've checked the boards off and on over the past 6 years but have very rarely posted.  I think I need to be a more active member of the community.  It feels good having someplace to "talk" to others who understand BC and what it does to a person. 

4ever4mom:  I don't have any information for you but I read your post and wanted to at least respond and let you know I'm thinking of you.  I can understand how anxious you are for your mom and I hope you've had a chance to talk to the doctor by now to get some answers.  I don't know much about PET scans...I just had my first one ever this morning.

I think you may not have received any responses because your post was mixed in with my thread and wasn't very visible to others on the boards who might have been able to help you.  Sending good vibes to you and your family.   

Hi vickilf! I'm not sure what other docs do but I can speak for my doc. Ever since I completed my active treatment, he's seen me for routine exams, first every 3 months, then every 6 months, and now once a year.  I'm 6 years out from my initial dx.  At each visit, he does a basic physical exam, including a breast exam, and he obtains blood work.  Unless I have symptoms, he typically doesn't do anything else.  On my annual exam this year in April, I described a persistent pain in my left side and that prompted the round of tests described in my post above.  If I hadn't mentioned the pain, I wouldn't have had the xrays or the CT or the PET scan.  I believe most docs handle routine checkups in that manner once you're out of active treatment.  With your stage 1 dx, I'm not sure why your doc would do routine PET or CT scans without symptoms...maybe others will chime in to give you additional input on that. 

@vickilf: Just realized I DID leave out annual tests...Can't believe I forgot to list them!  I get a diagnostic digital mammo once a year in the spring and a breast MRI once a year in the fall, so I DO get two diagnostic tests each year at 6-month intervals.  Not PET or CT, but certainly tests.  Can't believe I left them out of my message...what was I thinking...Yikes!

@Linda, filterlady, sweetbean: Thank you each so much for your nice comments. I don't think I'll ever take a day of good health for granted again. This scare was truly a wakeup call for me.  I let myself get too complacent over the years...I won't do that again!

@4ever4mom: I'm glad you're considering seeing another doctor.  My doctor is so empathetic and so responsive...it makes all the difference in the world.  I truly hope you find someone that will meet your mom's needs. I know these must be very scary times for you, but things should get better when you have a plan in place.  You are a wonderful daughter to be so concerned about your mom to take the time to post on these boards.  I'm sure she appreciates what you're doing for her.  Hang in there....and let us know how you make out in the coming days.

@freecellfan:  Sounds like you have a wonderful daughter in your corner!  The waiting and the fear of the unknown are always so hard.  There are lots of different reasons for things to look out of sorts on scans...more of them benign than not.  But with a history of BC, we tend to get anxious when something doesn't look quite right, which is an honest reaction.  Try to focus on just living your life between now and the appointment...and come back and let us know how you make out.  I hope the three weeks goes by quickly for you.