Lizzie

Hi Mary Thank you so much for replying. Congratulations on achieving 5 years, that truly is good news. Your signature outline of DX and TX, along with your post has been exactly what I needed, a not too clinical outline of what I might expect and in what time frame. My nurse practitioner called me today and said not to bring her the film and that University of Michigan will be calling to schedule a PET scan! Cool beans. Maybe she has not treated a lung nodule before and was simply unsure of how/when a PET is needed? I am so glad to hear that a 3 month wait before starting chemo and/or radiation has a positive outcome. I just started a new job, I am the only wage earner for my family and will not have any paid time off for 3 months, so if this does turn out to be cancer and require sick time I would be SOL. I am relieved and hopeful, thank you. Sending you purple sprinkles of gratitude (but the PINK ones are MINE!) Lizzie

Greetings All I found out last week that I have a spiculated 10MM left lower lobe nodule. There is no family history of lung cancer but I smoked for nearly 30 years, am now 51 years old, I quit 1 year to the day of my chest CT, so likely high risk for cancer. I saw my PCP Nurse Practitioner today and she is hesitant to send me for a PET scan. First she was saying it ( the nodule) would require monitoring, then read the radiologist report which states " By Fleischner criteria , PET scan should be considered for further evaluation of this possible bronchogenic carcinoma." She then made some comments about if my insurance (BCBS PPO) would pay for the PET. We left with I would bring her the actual CT film on CD from the hospital. I would have liked her to say 'let's schedule the PET', and since she didn't I am wondering the following: Has anyone else had difficulty getting approval for a PET scan either by their provider or insurance coverage? Has anyone had experience with a spiculated and/or 10MM nodule and possible treatment course/outcomes? It isn't a good time for me to change providers as I have multiple medical issues (DM, CAD, HTN, Hyperlipidemia and Mixed Connective Tissue disease) so, I am thinking that self-advocacy for appropriate treatment/testing with my current provider is needed and I need some advice/information on how best to do so. Thank you in advance for your time and attention to my questions as any information is appreciated. Lizzie