Thank you so much for all the replies and advice.
I know this information puts things in an even more ominous light--I've kind of been in denial that the two could be related to each other, but I saw an hemotology oncologist yesterday who's been tracking a few slightly enlarged lymph nodes in my neck/groin/armpit areas for the past 18 months. My chest x-ray from 18 months ago showed no enlarged nodes in my chest (& my lung nodule is too low to be seen on an x-ray, so this x-ray provides no information for my pulmonologist). Initially my primary care doctor ordered many tests to rule out a number of infections/viruses that could be the cause of the lymph node enlargement, and when it got to the point where I saw the oncologist, he felt the nodes were in the "high range" of what he'd consider "normal," so we'd do watch & wait to see if they got bigger. I changed oncologists after moving and the new one concurred with the previous diagnosis and said even if it was an indolent form of lymphoma, they wouldn't treat it until I started manifesting symptoms.
After reviewing the reports on my lung nodule, the oncologist is ordering an extension of the CT scan to include my neck and also referred me to a surgeon to biopsy one of the nodes in my neck (this will happen after the CT scan scheduled in 2 weeks). He said the PET scan would also give him info on my nodes (he talks about it like there's no question the PET scan's going to happen), but no matter what the outcome with the lung nodule or other tests, he wants the node in my neck biopsied.
As for the 2-week waiting period ... the pulmonologist said he wants to wait 2 weeks to see if maybe the nodule will get smaller or disappear. He assured us that if it is malignant, waiting 2 weeks wouldn't make any difference. He seems to be a very cautious doctor--I'm not sure if that's a good thing, or not? He's IS rather insensitive. When I expressed anxiety over waiting 2 weeks for the next scan, he said, "well, you wouldn't want us to operate and find out it's benign, would you?"
Of course I expect them to be sure before they operate, I'm not asking him to exclude steps, I was just expressing frustration that they can't happen faster so I can figure out what I'm facing. Sheesh!! I guess it won't hurt to get another referral, although I have resigned myself to the 2-week wait.
I seem to have moved into a new phase from outright fear of the unknown to a "be prepared" acceptance that I can handle whatever comes my way. I am still hopeful and praying that every next step will lead to those words I so want to hear, "don't worry, everything's fine!!"
It's really helped to read all the posts of such strong and supportive people who have been through so much with such grace. You have all touched my heart and are in my prayers.
Carole
