The dreaded rescan of the lung nodule!!

Shoppygirl, I understand how you're feeling, I had a nodule discovered after a serious chest infection while overseas, years ago. It was before all this stuff, but when my specialist said he wanted it scanned again, in 12 months, I was relieved, right up till I had to arrange the next scan!

Fortunately, it hadn't changed, I was so relieved. Then the specialist said, "We will Xray it in another 12 months and if there is no change we can disregard it. Not what I wanted to hear, but as it happened, the Xray was done as part of my pre op for my Mx, I was really nervous, but there wasn't anything visible, where it had been.

I know how awful it feels, but these things are very common, and can be very B9! I have read of others here, who have had a similar experience with these nodules.

I wish you all the very best! 

I totally understand Shoppygirl! I don't want to have any more scans tests or surgeries either!!!! lol

I had a lung nodule show up on a chest xray in the ER when I was having chest pain. Fortunately, the chest pain turned out to be nothing, but I was immediately scheduled for a CT scan of the nodule for every 3 months. After two 3 month scans, and no change in the nodule, they changed the CT scan to every six months.   This was last year and I had been 9 years out from dx of BC.

Waiting for results for the first scan was nerve-racking. When it came back the the nodule was unchanged, I felt better. So the second scan was less anxiety provoking and so was the third.  The 4th scan is due in December.  I am not worried actually. Since they found the nodule, I have researched about nodules and now know how common they are for anyone. I believe my nodule is benign.

So hang in there!  It seems to me that every time I have a health problem that requires a doctor visit, I am probed for recurrance even if I think it is something entirely different. Its a relief to  be so watched over I guess.  At the same time, it makes me reluctant to go the doctor unless I really have to because taking time for medical tests is not my favorite thing. Its the joys of being a cancer survivor I guess. Our new normal.

Wendy

A few years ago I too had to have a battery of tests (due, in fact to a rash from hell that made my lymph nodes enlarged, but of course, they were looking for mets). all they ever found was a lung "granule" almost probably a scar left over from some old lung infection. Still, I had to have it checked after 3 months. UGH!  No change. Great! Then, i think, after another 6 months. UGH. No change. Great! 

Finally, just as i was about to be kicked out of our cancer centre after 5 years, my oncologist noticed that another MRI was coming up for the granule. she asked who ordered it. it was my breast surgeon. she said, well, I guess you might as well do it since you're booked. and that was good enough for me. i just never went. Like sneaking out. had it with scans. i understand now why they don't do them routinely as so much small stuff turns up to scare the **** out of us.

then. a few months ago i got a bad chest cold. My lungs felt so congested. coughed & coughed. anxiety loomed: was it the dreaded granule finally metastazised? Really, I had to take anti-anxiety meds. then the cough lessened down to nothing but it took a long time. Now I'm back to never wanting them to prod/invade/investigate me again for the rest of my life! I sure do get how you feel! But I'll bet anything it's not changed one bit and after this and all the useless anxiety I think you should just sneak out, too.

Boy do I know how you feel.  My scan is the week after yours for a 1cm lung nodule discovered May 2013.  It will be 10 months since my previous scan and now I'm wondering why did I agree to wait that long, especially since metaplastic tends to go directly to the lungs.

Hang in there.  Sorry I can't give you any advice about planning anything because I tend to put my life on hold until the results, lol.

Shoppy

as you know, I had a lung ct in May because I was sick all winter-- looking for pneumonia, etc.  I had 2 clear chest xrays--- felt fine in the lungs-- 

there were two incidental findings--nodules on my thyroid, and a 7 mm nodule on my lung.  The lung one freaked me out... I dealt with the thyroid issue this summer--but was still really worried about the lung.

Here in Boston, the protocol seems to be a ct scan every 3 months for two years, then they figure it really is nothing.  I really think that this nodule is a result of my being very sick this winter-- our bodies make nodules sometimes to protect from infection.  

I was re-scanned on 8/19-- not growth !!!  The pulmonologist from the very beginning has said it is not suspicious for cancer, and that it had not grown was further evidence-- could have been there for over 10 years since the birth of my last child.... 

Anyway, he is so unconcerned that he is letting me go back in 6 months instead of 3--so I will go back in Februrary.  He reviewed all the films with me and is very convinced it is nothing.  So are two of my dear friends who are also pulmonologists.... one of them told me that most of her practice was filled up with people who had benign nodules... 

I love my pulmonologist because he is so smart and well regarded so I believe what he says.... I am sure I will be  little anxious in February, but I take it as a good sign that it has not grown in 3 months.... if it was cancer, that would not have been the case...... 

Hang in there-- I know it is hard-I was a bit of a mess until he told me the good news

I then went and bought myself a drink and a new dress!!!

keep us posted.  sounds like it will be fine.

Hugs, shoppy.  

The issue is that they don't know unless a biopsy is performed or the nodules change in size.  I too have lung nodules and they are tiny torture devices...stressful.

who else can one believe but the doctors?...wish I could give you some words of comfort...keep your faith!

peacestrength . . . tiny torture devices is the perfect description! I too am part of the 6 month rescan club. Hate when it rolls around.

Thinking about you shoppygirl...let us know how you are.