VG500 Posted December 23, 2018 Share Posted December 23, 2018 Hi All, I am new here...I am 47 year old female. Recently I was hospitalized for an unrelated issue and after chest x ray and CTA of the chest was found to have a "7mm pleural-based nodule in the lateral aspect of the left lower lobe and a pulmonary micronodulmicronodule in the right lower lobe". It was recommended that I come back in 3 months to check the nodules (this was around Thanksgiving). Initially I wasn't all that concerned, but after doing some research I am freaking out! Since then I have developed what feels like "congestion" & cough and my back feels "tight" and a bit achy in the middle--just under shoulder blades. I have an appointment with my internist the day after Christmas and am going to ask for a referral to a pulmonologist...would the fact I have a cough that has been on-going for a good week or so with the fact that I have back ache that has developed since my hospitalization mean I need further testing right away and not to wait for the 3 month mark? Edited to add "no pleural effusion" present. Does this information sound familiar? This has come out of the blue as I am a never smoker and never had "lung cancer" on the radar...I didn't realize how common it is for non-smokers too! Thank you in advance for any info & feedback Valerie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LexieCat Posted December 23, 2018 Share Posted December 23, 2018 Hi, Valerie, and welcome. I seriously doubt that your 7 mm nodule (as of Thanksgiving) would have any effect whatsoever on your cough, breathing, or backache. That is a VERY small nodule and would not grow that fast in this amount of time. Nodules can be many things, and the vast majority of nodules are not cancer. I was reading recently that something like half of all CT scans show nodules. Hopefully your scan in a couple of months will show no changes and you can relax. In the meantime, take comfort in the likelihood that it will not turn out to be a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VG500 Posted December 23, 2018 Author Share Posted December 23, 2018 LexieCat, Thank you so much for your quick reply. I really appreciate it. I have found that the internet is not always your friend when it comes to all the information one can have access to that is alarming! I appreciate your words of calm I am trying to breathe and just enjoy Christmas with my family and try to not "borrow trouble" as they say. I will keep your posted with updates as they occur! Valerie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa L Posted December 23, 2018 Share Posted December 23, 2018 Hi Valerie, I am going through the same thing and I’m terrified. A friend had suggested we do the advanced scan on a whim last Thursday because we were both on off smokers. Then I got my letter and called the dr. And I have a 9mm nodule with irregular margins in lingula. They say because it is spiculated it has a 15% chance it’s malignant. I have been on this site non stop reading everything I can and I can’t eat sleep or even function..I have heard some encouragement from people that even if it would be cancer it was caught early and most people don’t catch it that early..so yes 7mm is small and you might just be freaking yourself out with your symptoms as I myself am doing also..as people on here have told me to hang in there I will also tell you hang in there ..and if you want to talk about it I will be glad to. Lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridgetO Posted December 23, 2018 Share Posted December 23, 2018 Hi Valerie, Welcome. Typically most lung cancers have no symptoms until they are advanced. Your nodule is small, so even it it is a cancer, it's not likely to be causing your symptoms. And as LexieCat said, most nodules aren't cancer. I think seeing a pulmonologist is a good idea. Pulmonologists can tell a great deal from the appearance of nodules. Hang in there and enjoy the holidays. Bridget O Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VG500 Posted December 24, 2018 Author Share Posted December 24, 2018 Thank you Lisa & Bridget O for the responses. I really appreciate it. It is reassuring to hear that the size of the nodule I am most concerned about is only 7mm, probably isn't responsible for my hard to shake cough etc., though I am a bit worried as I read that pleural based nodules can be especially concerning. It is nice connecting with people who also are experiencing the same situation and who understand that while it's "most likely ok", the chance that it's not is is all consuming in my thoughts....Lisa, you are definitely in my prayers...I hope that you are able to relax and refresh over this holiday season I have an appointment with my internist the day after Christmas and I will let you all know his thoughts on all of this once I can speak with him. Happy Holidays 🎄 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa L Posted December 28, 2018 Share Posted December 28, 2018 Hi Valerie, just wondering how your appointment went? My pet scan is now Monday and just trying to go with the flow until then (like that is possible). Just checking on you. Lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VG500 Posted December 29, 2018 Author Share Posted December 29, 2018 On 12/27/2018 at 9:18 PM, Lisa L said: Hi Valerie, just wondering how your appointment went? My pet scan is now Monday and just trying to go with the flow until then (like that is possible). Just checking on you. Lisa Hi Lisa. Thanks for thinking of me Hope your Christmas went well. My internist wants to follow up with me in six weeks and then we will make another CT scan ( to be around that 3 month wait and see mark) for mid February. I'm going to go for a another mammogram to make sure nothing has been missed, and hopefully that will be clear. My cough is still present, but he wants me to take some prilosec over the counter to make sure it's not stemming from some type of heartburn issue (though I don't have any symptoms of that?????), post nasal drip (though I don't have any sinus issues----usually when my sinuses are acting up I experience lots of pressure/pain in the face/teeth area, and that is not present) Internist says the protocol is to wait and see since the nodule is "small"--7mm, and since I have an HMO I can't just go see a specialist without a referral, so I guess we wait Ugggghhh..... I will pray that all goes well on Monday and will look for an update! Valerie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andree Posted December 29, 2018 Share Posted December 29, 2018 On 12/23/2018 at 7:45 AM, VG500 said: Hi All, I am new here...I am 47 year old female. Recently I was hospitalized for an unrelated issue and after chest x ray and CTA of the chest was found to have a "7mm pleural-based nodule in the lateral aspect of the left lower lobe and a pulmonary micronodulmicronodule in the right lower lobe". It was recommended that I come back in 3 months to check the nodules (this was around Thanksgiving). Initially I wasn't all that concerned, but after doing some research I am freaking out! Since then I have developed what feels like "congestion" & cough and my back feels "tight" and a bit achy in the middle--just under shoulder blades. I have an appointment with my internist the day after Christmas and am going to ask for a referral to a pulmonologist...would the fact I have a cough that has been on-going for a good week or so with the fact that I have back ache that has developed since my hospitalization mean I need further testing right away and not to wait for the 3 month mark? Edited to add "no pleural effusion" present. Does this information sound familiar? This has come out of the blue as I am a never smoker and never had "lung cancer" on the radar...I didn't realize how common it is for non-smokers too! Thank you in advance for any info & feedback Valerie PET and biopsy to make sure if it is just a non malignant nodule or malignant nodule. yes contact a pulmonologist he can order test for you stay calm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.