Multiple nodules on my lungs-stage 1 no lymph node involvement

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katehudson25
katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer in August 2011. I had a lumpectomy and there was no lymph node involvement. I am an ex smoker and in 2012 my dr. had me do a ct scan and it was negative. 6 months ago I did a chest ex-ray and it was negative. 7 months ago I did mammo's and they were negative. This Wed. March 13, 2013 I had another ct scan. My dr. called me Thurs. and he said the ct scan showed several nodules on both lungs. several smaller ones and one that was bigger. I was so frightened I forgot to ask him exactly how many or the exact size of the larger one. I asked if it was less than 2 inches and he said yes. He has ordered a pet scan for Monday Mar. 25, and I won't get the results until Thurs. March 28. I am so frightened. I am wondering if this has happened to anyone else besides it being metastic breast cancer

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited March 2013

    Katehudson- HI, I'm sorry you're going through this, I know how scary it is. I didn't have nodules, but did have plueral thickening which they believe is from the radiation. It was a 3x6cm area. They're watching it and nothing has changed. so for me, it seems it's all good.

    I'm hoping yours is nothing and that they're being cautious. It's good they're going the PET scan, I read an article that those are best for determining and differentiating lung issues.http://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org/content/9/6/633.full

    This article talks about the differential diagnosis of lung nodules and hoe PET/CT combined is the gold standard.  You're being well cared for.

    Keep us updated and let us know how you are. I'm certain others will be along soon to share their experiences with this.

    Good luck and praying for strength for you as you wait for testing.

    Hugs

    Bevin

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited March 2013

    Hi Bevin,

    Thank you so much for your support and the article

    Hugs,

    Kate

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited March 2013

    My pet scan has been moved up, and I am having it tomorrow morning. I found out that my large lung nodule is 17mm. I am very scared because that seems so large to me. My breast tumor was only 4mm. I will get the results of my pet scan this Friday.

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  • pennylane
    pennylane Member Posts: 177
    edited March 2013

    Hi Kate...Really so sorry you have to go thru this....I had the same exact thing happen to me several years ago...I had just finished treatment (lump, AC Chemo,rads) and had an x-ray which showed diffuse sub-centimeter nodules on both lungs...I was miserable and petrified and so disappointed...The lung specialist was not giving me any encouragement that it was going to be okay...When I finally posted my fears here I met many women who had gone thru the same thing and for the majority it was not the bad thing..but merely the effects treatment...and life...and usuallly some sort of infection...In my case I had pneumonia and that was probably showing up...Anyway, I had the PET scan and then Cat scans every six-months for the next 2-years....You will probably have the same program...Most of us follow that protocol instead of biopsy...You will very quickly find a comfort zone between scans...By the way 17mm is the size of a dime...not big at all!   Oh, also, I was stage 1, and a had been a smoker too!! So I really can relate...Wait...thinkingback..I had a couple of nodules that were a bit larger than a centimeter (10mm)too...I sure hope my story will bring you a little respite from your worrying...I have a strong feeling things will work out just fine for you...best wishes P

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited March 2013

    Hi Pennylane,

    Thank you so much for sharing your story and for your support. I am having the pet scan 2 and a half hours from now. My doctor is already talking about a biopsy being the next step. That scares me to think he already thinks this is malignant. Three days after the cat scan which was last Wednesday I have developed a really bad cold, and I am wondering if that had an affect on the ct scan and will it have an affect on the ct scan today. I hope you are doing well Hugs, Kate

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  • pennylane
    pennylane Member Posts: 177
    edited March 2013

    I bet anything that you have some nodules from the infection you are describing...Yeah, my Dr. was a piece of work too...Nice enough guy but he would not give me an inch of hope..Looking back, the first time I had a meeting with him, he kept me waiting close to an hour and then brought in "the witness"...that being an intern, for his speech of doom...apparently the 'gruesome-twosome' routine is a common way to tell someone they are screwed....and it is utter nonsense...More women than not, (like 99.9 percent), who are in this support group, who were early stage (like yourself), and who had questionable lung scans...were just fine...I have truly been in touch with so many...Your Dr seems to be ignoring the fact that you are Stage One and therefore progression would be very unusual....Well so glad you got your Pet scan over with...I will be concentrating on positive thoughts for you....P

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited March 2013

    Hi Pennylane,

    I can't tell you how much I appreciate your support. How nice of you to take the time to do that. I am trying to stay positive, and not worry, but it is difficult. It is wonderful women like yourself helping me get through this. I hope you are doing well. Hugs, Kate

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited March 2013

    OMG I told my doctor I did not want any news over the phone, and his office just called and said Dr. Goldman wants to refer you to a urologist. OMG I am trembling in fear. I said I need to speak to the doctor first. It has been about 30 minutes and he has not called. OMG does it mean that I have bladder or adrenal gland or kidney cancer? Breast cancer with nodules in my lungs what does this have to do with a urologist??

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  • Rowan47
    Rowan47 Member Posts: 151
    edited March 2013

    Hi Kate, I was just searching for info on CT scans and came across your thread. God, I hope everything is ok!!! How scary for you....my stats are similar to yours, and I am going for my first CT scan tomorrow. I have had shortness of breath for 7 months, and now pain in ribs and spine.....very scary!! I wonder why you need to see urologist?? Hoping that it's nothing sinister, sweetie. I will keep checking up on your thread. Just breathe.........hugs from New Zealand xx

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  • beacon800
    beacon800 Member Posts: 922
    edited March 2013

    Sheesh, they are really putting you through it. I don't know much about this stuff, but logic tells me they don't think it's breast cancer. Based on your hx, it would be a far shot for it to be breast cancer, so probably you don't have it spreading.



    As for urologist, well who knows! But if they thought you had a different cancer it seems they would send you to an oncologist more than a urologist. It all sounds super stressful, but maybe it will work out ok. I hope so. Sending you good thoughts and support.

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited March 2013

    Kate, did they do a urinalysis? Maybe that is why he made the referral.

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited March 2013

    Hi Rowan,

    I need to see a urologist because my doctor told me that I have a mass in my bladder. I have no symptoms of any kind, but the pet scan showed a bladder mass and nodules in my lungs. I need a lung biopsy too. Good luck with your ct scan I hope everything turns out ok for you Hugs, Kate

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited March 2013

    Hi Beacon,

    I don't know if this is breast cancer that spread to my bladder and lungs. All I know is that there is a mass in my bladder and nodules in both lungs. I will find out more info Friday. The doctor who ordered the pet scan is my breast cancer oncologist. Thank you for your support

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited March 2013

    Hi Yorkiemom,

    The reason for the referral is that a bladder mass showed up on my pet scan. OMG my bc oncologist has shaken me to the core today. Before the pet scan I told him I didn't want bad news over the phone. He forgot that and told me I have a bladder mass over the phone. Then this uncaring female urologist calls me while I am at a donut shop relaxing, and says I am calling about your bladder mass, and I will save you a trip instead of doing just a consultation I will do a consultation and stick a tube down you in the same visit. OMG I can't stand her. I live in Santa Monica, ca and she is with ucla. I want a male urologist from St Johns. OMG why couldn't this appointment be set up when I see my dr. on Friday. There isn't a rush. This does not sound good. A bladder mass with lung nodules. Thank you for your support yorkiemom 

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited March 2013

    Kate, lung, liver and thyroid nodules were found on my initial CT scan over one year ago. They were followed up and found to be benign nothings. As we age we accumulate these internal bumps and warts. Praying and BELIEVING that yours are in the B9 category too. ((((((KATE))))))

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited March 2013

    Dear Kate<

    I am so sorry you are going through this. It does sound scary and I can understand why you're worried. Praying that they are being extra cautious and they find this is not cancer. Do you have any family history of bladder cancer or kidney cancer?

    Honestly, I saw you don't like the women you spoke to . If you don't, call and see someone else. Its not worth it to not feel comfortable with your doctor.

    Good luck, I'll say prayers that you are healthy.  Keep us posted.

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited March 2013

    Hi Yorkiemom, Thanks for letting me know. I so much appreciate your support

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited March 2013

    Hi bevin,

    Nobody in my immediate family has had any type of cancer. My mother and father died of heart problems. Thank God my children are well. I am an only child. I can't stand the urologist that called I will wait to find a dr. I can relate to. Thanks again for your support

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited March 2013

    On top of everything else I have a cold. Tonight I am running a fever of 99.5. I usually don't run fevers, so I don't know what is going on. How could a fever have anything to do with a bladder mass or lung nodules?????

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited March 2013

    I hate to be negatve, but it seems to me that I have breast cancer that has spread to my bladder and lungs. I will find out Friday

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  • Rowan47
    Rowan47 Member Posts: 151
    edited March 2013

    Oh Kate, it's awful that you are feeling so anxious. When I feel negative about anything, I always remember the saying, "I am an old man who has had many worries, most of which never happened". Hope you manage sleep tonight x

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited March 2013

    Hi Rowan,

    Thanks so much for your advice and your support


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  • pennylane
    pennylane Member Posts: 177
    edited March 2013

    Hi Kate...Been coming here the past few nites just to see how you were doing and am so sorry that you are being put thru yet another scare...I hope you can find a way to stay focused on Yorkiemom's experience...and also mine...I have to tell you I have never read of bc spreading to the bladder...seems so unusual...Did your Dr tell you these things actually lit up from the Pet scan or were just kind of sitting there...Also, thinking back, during my lung scare,  the Drs spoke about some traces of blood showing up in my urine and gave me antibiotics and nothing further was made of that...I wish had had the magic words to make you feel safer...I do hope you have a valium or something similar to give you a much needed break...and also, try to meditate...actually works better for me than any pill....If you dont have a mantra, just try using "om"...the sound of the universe will calm you...I still believe this is related to the infection you have...So glad to see other bc sisters have found you tonite...my best wishes....P 

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited March 2013

    Hi Pennylane,

    All I have done is spoken to my doctor over the phone who told me I have a large tumor in my bladder, and that I need to have a bladder biopsy and a lung biopsy. I don't know if this lit up on the pet scan or if it was sitting there. I have an appointment with him tomorrow morning. He is my medical oncologist from breast cancer. Online it says that breast cancer can spread to the bladder. I don't know if this is true in my case or not. I will find that out tomorrow. When my doctor only knew about lung nodules he was thinking that breast cancer spread to my lungs. I have no symptoms of any kind. I have no lung or bladder problems at all. I am down with a cold for the 6th day. Last night I ran a fever of 100. My doctor thinks this cold is unrelated. I took 100mg of trasodone last night, and only slept 4 hours. I guess my mantra is that I am one tough cookie, and resilient, and somehow I will get through this. Thinking about my family calms me. I can't thank you enough for your support. Bc sisters are the best, and helping me so much to get throigh this Hugs, Kate

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  • lizinmontreal
    lizinmontreal Member Posts: 46
    edited March 2013

    Oh, Kate that's definitely not news that you wanted to hear. I'm so hoping that the tumor is benign.

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited March 2013

    Thank you Liz. I actually feel better emotionally today. I took a day off of thinking about medical issues. I went and had my hair styled, and bought a couple of cute tee's at the Gap. Tomorrrow I will have to be thinking about medical issues again in the morning when I see my doctor

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  • wenweb
    wenweb Member Posts: 1,107
    edited March 2013

    Hi kate, I was browsing the threads and came across yours.  I hope all of this turns out to be nothing that your mind is allowing it be.  I'll be thinking of you and hope that you are able to get more than 4 hours of sleep tonight!

    Best Wishes  xoxo

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited March 2013

    Hi Wenweb,

    Thank you so much for your support. Bc sisters are the best. Support means everything to me. Hugs, Kate

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  • katehudson25
    katehudson25 Member Posts: 2,467
    edited March 2013

    I went to see my medical oncologist today, and he said he really won't know more info until after my lung and bladder biopsy's. I asked him if this is related to bc, and he said he won't know till after the biopsy's. That it is possible that cancer cells traveled from my breast. I am going to see a oncologist Monday. I don't know if its just for a consultation, and he will do the biopsy another day this week, or if he will do the biopsy Monday. The hospital is going to call me to schedule the lung biopsy for this week. He told me to stay off the internet researching these cancers, and to remain positive, and take one day at a time, and that is what I am going to try to do. I need to stay strong for my family. Thank you bc sisters for your support. Hugs, Kate

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  • Rowan47
    Rowan47 Member Posts: 151
    edited March 2013

    At least you will have some answers soon, dear kate. xx

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