Sarge

I've got a follow-up question: In my case there are no outstanding give-away symptoms i.e. weight loss, blood in sputum, shallow breathing, excessive coughing -- Nothing! I feel like I always did, normal. Well, except for a scary CAT Scan that, according to my Dr., "appears to be consistent with cancer", and a wicked daily backache. If this presumptuous mass is, in fact, a Metastatic cancer tumor >7 cm accompanied by spotting in the same lung, then shouldn't I be experiencing some of the typical symptoms? My lack of symptomology seems to contradict the diagnosis. Thoughts?

To all, thanks for the support. What I'm finding the most problematic about this situation is an inability to plan for tomorrow. It's not the prospect of death but the loss of a future. Regardless, like you all, if the prognosis is bleak, I will accept the inevitable and move forward. On a side note, it's amazing to me how someone's life can dramatically change with a simple visit to the doctor. Crazy stuff.

Tom: Sincerely appreciate the feedback. Just as an FYI, and if warranted, I'm also contemplating Chinese Herbal therapies to supplement Western approaches to treatment. After spending more than 20 years living and working in Asia, I've had a firsthand opportunity to see herbal (Homeopathic?) medicines work on other diseases. Promising research emerging from academia (University of Washington) tends to support the anecdotal evidence. Anyway, I'm hunkering down in study mode until I have a firm diagnosis of what's happening under the hood. Thanks again.

Thanks Tom. I'll have more definitive information, hopefully, by next week's end. Until then, I'll read, study, and observe.

My name is Ray. We have a similar situation. My X-ray and CAT scan showed a large mass on my left lung. Now I'm scheduled for a PET Scan next week to see if it spread. Speaking from a whole two days of experience, my strategy is to just wait until definitive results either confirm or disallow a diagnosis of cancer and/or type & stage. Then, a thoughtful decision on future pathways is guided by objective data and not fear.

Greetings everyone. My name is Ray. For me, introductions & first impressions have always been awkward, so please bear with me as I stumble through this. I just recently retired after a long career in Government. So, at 65 years of age, I anticipated my golden years, sharing new memories with the wife, traveling, and enjoying life. Well, that was the plan, up until five days ago. Suffering from a severe back pain for almost a 2 months, mostly behind the left shoulder blade, I finally reneged and went to see my PCM. An X-Ray revealed a 4cm 'mass' on the top of my left lung. Then, yesterday, I completed a follow-up CAT Scan - that's when my world dropped out from under me. The CAT scan revealed a >7cm mass sitting on the top of my left lung accompanied by evidence of 'spotting' throughout the same lung. Apparently, the right seems to be free of aberration. The attending physician said the mass (to which I'm euphemistically now calling the 'it') is consistent with Metastatic Cancer. Because of the size, the Radiologist was consulted and he decided against a biopsy opting for a PET Scan first to see if the 'it' has spread to the liver. If so, they will accomplish the biopsy from the liver site. The PET is scheduled for next week. The back pain is increasing in severity daily but the pain meds help. A little. What my wife and I find worrisome is the rapidity of the appointments (where a very long waiting list for CAT/PET Scans is the norm) and his 'strong' encouragement to see my PCM for mental health needs. That's it. That's all I know. To be honest I'm really freaking out and really unsure what I'm supposed to think. Ok, I've got cancer -- or do I? If the 'it' was benign then the 'it' wouldn't be spreading throughout the same lung, right? And, if the 'it' is that large, shouldn't 'it' be a Stage IV'ish, right? I'm a wreck. My wife is a wreck. So, I found this forum hoping someone else can provide either a sobering truth or persuasion to calm down. Thanks, folks.