lung nodules, thyroid nodules---help!!!

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momand2kids
momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
edited June 2014 in Stage II Breast Cancer

Ok

I had a thryoid biopsy scheduled for this week-- was just absorbing that-- and now after a visit to the pulmonologist today, turns out I have a 7mm nodule on my lung that he wants to look at further-- so PET on Tuesday--have never had one and am freaked out about the idea that other things might light up---- 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated--I am just about going over the edge here....

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited May 2014

    Try not to go over the edge yet because it is entirely possible that the PET will rule out that anything bad is secretly happening to your organs, and you will come away from the scan with a new sense of NED-ness that you only speculated about before.  The scan itself is pretty boring (as most of them are) with an extra boring part of having to remain still for about an hour while the nuclear medicine spreads throughout your body before the actual scan.  If you are lucky, they'll usher you to a darkened room with a lazy boy so you might just nap thru' that.

    I don't know if you had radiation.  I did.  About three years after that, a small (3mm) nodule cropped up on my lung.  Mine got monitored with a couple future CTs (that I was scheduled to get anyway) and it is just in there not doing anything.  Sometimes benign nodules are found and don't cause problems.  Hope you have one of those.

    You posted elsewhere that your thyroid nodules are over 1cm, and that would cause concern, hence the biopsy.  Thyroid cancers are slow growing and have good prognosis.  If something is malignant is found, you'll get it taken out.  If it is benign, but large, a surgery might also be considered.  Having been thru' surgery for BC, going thru' a thyroid surgery is not as difficult.  On the other hand, thyroid nodules do have the ability to shrink on their own, or sometimes they give you a synthetic hormone so your thyroid can "rest" and perhaps spur on some shrinkage.  You might just have to watch and wait and get a future scan.

    It is so common for every ache and pain, every lump, to make our minds go straight to cancer.  I really hate that about this disease!

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  • Alicethecat
    Alicethecat Member Posts: 535
    edited May 2014

    Hello M

    I am sorry to hear you are going through this.

    Could it be sarcoidosis where the body makes granulomous benign lumps?

    I might have it but am doing well and am cancer-free say the docs - and hopefully you will be too.

    Good luck

    Alice

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited May 2014

    thanks so much for the replies--very helpful.  After talking with a friend who is a pulmonologist, I am going to delay the PET--get a second opinion from another dr. on whether to even have the scan, and focus on the thyroid this week.  I can only handle one health crisis at at time… I think I could live with some periodic Lung scanning to see if thing changes over the next few months.  The one benefit of having bc, it makes me a much more critical consumer of my health care!

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited May 2014

    momand2kids,  Neither nodule is something you have to hurry on, so a second opinion makes sense.  I hope it helps you in future decisions.

    Alicethecat, LOL!  (Not at you.)  Our family watched a lot of House M.D., and I think in just about every episode, one of his team suggested "sarcoidosis," so now that is the go-to guess for just about any complaint in our family.  On the show, I don't think anything actually turned out to be "sarcoidosis" and I hope you will avoid that also.

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited May 2014

    Elimar

    thanks-- you are so right-- in my experience with bc, I was like a maniacal driver-- move, move move--- operate operate operate--I wanted things OUT and NOW.  This time, I agree--these things are tiny- and I just won't let them rule my life the way I did with bc..... I learned so much and second opinions were a big part of the learning.....  so I think I am in a much better head space now--- more calm and focused and getting my ducks in order (new notebook for notes, ordering films, etc).  So I feel pretty good but I love that I can come here and you all reassure me even more--because that is what I really need is reassurance..... most important thing in the world.    

    thanks all--will keep you posted

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  • Alicethecat
    Alicethecat Member Posts: 535
    edited May 2014

    Elimar

    You have a great sense of humour! That would have made me laugh so much. 

    M

    I am delighted you are feeling a little more sanguine now. Last year I had loads of tests for things that turned out to be insignificant (tear gland that had dropped down, lump on knee, a bit of breathlessness, a heart valve flapping around). 

    Hopefully all will be well for you too.

    Alice

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  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited May 2014

    mom

    I have both a lung and a thyroid nodule. The lung nodule was found on my first ever ct scan in March 2013 . I spent the next 6 months during chemo worrying about it. A follow up ct in Sept 2013 showed no change so it is most likely a granuloma. When the dr called to tell me the good news she mentioned that they had made note of a 3cm thyroid nodule. That led to a  ultrasound and a biopsy that came back benign. They continue to monitor both nodules. I just had another thyroid ultrasound and that nodule has actually shrunk, which apparently is a good thing.  I will have a follow up ct for the lung nodule in September. I can't wait to see what weird thing they will find next! Lol!  It seems that theses types of nodules are very common and you and I were just lucky enough to have both!  

    Good luck with everything!! 

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  • GrammyR
    GrammyR Member Posts: 702
    edited May 2014

    momand2kids-  I am going to copy a post I just put on another thread. #1 prayers do work and #2 - never jump to any conclusion until multiple reports of same thing.


    " Ladies my prayers- your prayers have been answered. I was told spread of BC involved my shoulder bone area , chest wall and lungs on MRI a few weeks ago. Today Bone Scan negative, abdominal scan negative and even the spots on my left lung showed two on MRI but only one ( as last year) seen on CT scan. The nodule under my collar bone has also shrunk.

    I am sure my intense 2 month shoulder pain now was from the fall I had. Thanks you dear Jesus.

    Not sure if I will still have to go on Zeloda still , will talk to my M

     

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited May 2014

    shoppygirl

    Thank you so much. Your post gives me so much hope. Did you have a PET scan or just periodic CT scans?  

    Rationally I know that these things are likely to be benign and that I am being watched so much more closely because of BC.  And while I feel more together than I did during the Bc experience I still wake up in a bit of a panic and have to work my way back with statistics.  95 % of thyroid nodules are benign. And if they are not the surgery is common.  

    Most lung nodules are benign as well and given that this is so small, it is likely to be benign. I am trying not to "go there ". Before I need to, but as you know, it is hard.  I just hate that I have gone from being a perfectly healthy perso to someone who has to have all these tests. And I am a little peeved that this is all happening right after the 5 year mark for me.  

    Ok , I have had my rant. Thank you so much for giving me hope. I need it right now

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited May 2014

    I should also add that I woke up terrified this morning.  Just like during the bc episode.  What if it is cancer? I am not sure I have the stamina to do that again--- it took everything I had to get up every morning, go to work, go to treatment-- be positive--- I am not sure I have anything left.  I know I am "going there" before I need to, but I was just so scared when I woke up----- I have kids who need their mother present now- and present far off into their future.....I am just feeling so sad about all of this....

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  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited May 2014

    Mom

    I feel exactly as you do! I too went from a totally healthy person to dealing with all these health concerns overnight. No one can understand the worry unless they have gone though it themselves. I also have so many little aches and pains left over from treatment that I am constantly worried about those as well. I think the biggest worry is because I too still have to kids at homes, ages 11 and 15 and two months after my BC diagnosis we found out my DH has stage 4 colon cancer. We are both NED and doing great but I always have this nagging fear in the back of my mind. I am terrified for my ct scan in September to check the lung nodule. I hope this constant fear will go away and I continue to remind myself that I am doing so much better this year than last year when I was having chemo. 

    Hugs to you!  

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited May 2014

    shoppy

    I am so sorry to hear about your h-- I can see why you would be worried.  My kids are 18 and 13--they were 12 and 7 when I was diagnosed.

    For what it is worth, I made the pulmonary guy describe the thoracic surgery they do to take out a nodule-- it sounded doable--but I sincerely hope that neither of us get there.  Mine is so tiny that I am not sure they could take it out--from what I read, they recommend against it when it is so small...so watch and wait might be the only way.

    I also had a lot of aches and pains in the 1-2 years following chemo--and guess what, you probably would have had them anyway-- so unless they nag at you for 2-3 weeks consistently they really are just aches and pains...

    Let's stay in touch on our nodules-- I have my thyroid biopsy this week--did you have one? was it hard? will I be able to go to work afterwards????

    thanks

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  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited May 2014

    mom

    I had a thyroid biopsy and it was a little weird to have a needle in my throat.  Other than that it was fine. I did go to work afterwards. 

    My nodule on my lung is small 6 mm so no one has recommended removing  it. I have never had a PET scan as they are difficult to get in Calgary and apparently have a lot if false positives. 

    I would love to keep in touch, good luck with the thyroid biopsy!! 

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited June 2014

    shoppy--my nodule is 6 mm too!!!   I think a pet scan is overkill--- and I think it is too small to take out-so they watch. I think here in the states, once you have bc, they really watch you like a hawk-which I appreciate but can also be overwhelming.  If I hadn't had bc before, the doc would have said let's have another scan in 3 months---- and that is really what I want to do.  I have had friends who have had nodules and also had bc and have been told to come back in 3 months---- makes sense to me.

    Thanks for the info on the biopsy-- this doctor's office is near my office so I want to just head over to work afterwards--- and pray for negative results!!!

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  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited June 2014

    mom! 

    I am praying for you too! Odds are in your favour of being benign! 

    Keep us posted!! 

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited June 2014

    Thanks shoppy-my pulmonology appt is tomorrow, thyroid biopsy is on Thursday-

    Generally I am fine, but when I wake up in the morning, I get a little freaked out and overwhelmed.  I called my doc for a low level of anti anxiety meds just in case--I cannot stand the waiting for results--I get so nervous.  

    I have been staying busy with work, and my oldest graduates from high school this week so trying to keep the focus on her.  

    I am so afraid that either or both of these things will be cancer.  I am not sure I have it in me to go through it again.  I worked so hard the last time--and it was exhausting.  And I am a little angry-- I did all the right things the last time, so I feel like I shouldn't have to go through it again.

    I know that is unreasonable- but that is the way I feel.  But I have to pull it together.  No one has said cancer.  this is all exploratory.

    The big difference this time is that I am talking about it a lot.  during my experience with bc, I just  did not speak of it with lots of people.  And that worked then.  But if one of these things turns out problematic, I am going to need a lot of moral support, so I am telling all of my friends, etc.  I feel so fortunate to have great people in my life and I know they would want to help.  Also, the more I talk about it, the less afraid I am--something about its power over me diminishes each time I talk about it…. So for now, that approach is working…..

    Thanks soy letting me vent here a little

    best

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited June 2014

    Hi all

    well, on the lung issue- he felt it was nothing--too
    small to biopsy, too small to take out, too small for a PET.... so I go
    back in August and we will re-scan and see if there is any growth--- if
    not, back again in 3 months--for 2 years.... if there is a growth, we
    will take it right out.... I think this is really the only way and I was
    glad to hear him say that it did not look suspicious and that my lungs
    were fine and I was perfectly healthy---- good air, etc. So he really
    thought it was really a nodule..... I am going with that.

    Had
    the thyroid biopsy this morning-- he was lovely--told me 95% of these
    things are benign---I hope he is right in my case..... will know next
    week.

    thanks for the prayers-- I need them!

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited June 2014

    Glad to hear your good news, and I hope the thyroid follows suit and no surgery is called for.

    Look, I know you can't have it both ways with the lung nodule, but SEVEN more scans planned for the future?  I assume you mean CT?  That is a lot of radiation, which in turn could be stimulus enough to cause a few additional lung cells to mutate.  I am no doctor.  I am a person who has to be followed by CT scans and I am always looking to follow the "less is more" approach, to try and cut some of the radiation at least.  My comment to you is this:  If your scan in Aug. still shows no growth, couldn't your scans be moved out to 4 or 6 mo. intervals.  Over a two year period, you would end up having 1-3 less CTs.  Maybe the question to ask would be, how different would scans at 3 mos. be compared to every 4 mos. really?  (And yet, to you that would mean one less rads exposure in a years time.)  Remember, you do have some say in it.  Actually, you have all the say in it.

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited June 2014

    Thanks Elimar-- I do so appreciate your advice. And I will ask-- I am thinking 2x a year might be enough-because I am also having annual mammograms- and Lord knows how they follow up on thyroid nodules)... so you make a good point.  I loved this guy and I think he would be open to that--- this is just the protocol they follow and apparently with alot of people.  But I am not shy--I just was so relieved yesterday to know that he really didn't think it was anything at all that I could only focus on that.

    Then of course this morning, had to go to the biopsy where my crazy mind had me having thyroid cancer, which I know is possible,but seems nuts to me.... I like my odds on 95%.... just have to keep my wits about me..... 

    Daughter is graduation high school tomorrow and I really want to be "present" for this in every way---- this has been such a damn distraction although I was feeling so positive last night I was able to go and enjoy the sports banquet...... hope I can keep that going during this waiting time..... ativan is handy....

    hugs to all-thanks for the good thoughts--- I will keep you up to date.....

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  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited June 2014

    Mom, 

    I totally agree with Elimar on too many scans. I had my first ct in March of 2013 when they found the lung nodule. A follow up scan after 6 months showed no change in size or appearance. My oncology nurse said to do another ct in 6 more months. I was not happy about another scan and more radiation from it not to mention all the stress I feel from them.  I spoke to my oncologist whom I trust and asked him his opinion. He had a look at the most recent scan and said that we can wait a year until the next one. I was very happy with that. The next one is comming up in September so fingers crossed for that one. I know we always feel like we should always follow the drs orders but sometimes our feelings and thoughts matter too. 

    Hugs. 

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  • iammommy
    iammommy Member Posts: 213
    edited June 2014

    Glad the lung is ok. I agree about so many scans. Fingers crossed on the thyroid biopsy! Follow up for thyroid is usually an u/s every 6-12 months to make sure the benign nodules aren't growing.

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  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited June 2014

    Thanks all--- I am trying not to go the dark place with this.  while this is very different than the waits with bc, every once in a while I just freeze up.  I am greatly relieved about the lung nodule and surprised at how many people have these.  The doc shared a study they did-- people between the ages of 55-75 who had smoked for 30 years.  They found alot of lung nodules, but over 90% of them were benign---- so that actually made me feel great about this little 6mm thing in my lung.  He said that we have no way of knowing how long it has been there-- could be new or 10 years old (I don't have any other lung scans)... but he was so optimistic that it was nothing--  I think he is right. 

    On the thyroid, just have to wait--may take a while on this pathology.  Meantime will find an endocrinologist and get started 

    Supposed to go off femara this month--- should be celebrating my over 5 years.....daughter graduating from high school today--- going to enjoy all of this...

    thanks again for your support. Please pray for benign thyroid results if you are a praying person.

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  • shoppygirl
    shoppygirl Member Posts: 694
    edited June 2014

    mom 

    I am praying for you!  The most important thing is to enjoy your daughters grad right now!  I have a good feeling the everything will be ok!!

    Hugs!! 

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