Katester Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 I think I have read every post on this entire site looking for a comfort level that I can not seem to get to. I'm not sure I even have a right to be on here with everyone. I haven't even been confirmed yet as having lung cancer but my main doctor is also a pulmonary specialist feels that this very well could be a malignant lung tumor. I am a life long smoker but quit two years ago this month. I have asthma and take daily medicine for it . I had gone to the emergency department for a stomach pain that just would not stop . After a chest xray and a ct scan of my stomach they gave me two little pills for stomach spasms and 20 minutes later I was on my way home as though nothing had ever happened. The next day I received a phone call from the emergency room physician that a nodule had appeared on my chest xray and the radiology department had advised him of such. He notified my physician and I was then scheduled for a ct scan. Within that week I got a personal call from my doctor stating he thought I needed to go for a biopsy. I went to his office to make the choice of how this was going to take place . He never reviewed the biopsy choices with me that day. He just switched over to the pet scan idea. I am scheduled for a pet scan for June 2. I have no symptoms but now I have learned that many people don't have the symptoms and many of these tumors are found by mistake. I feel my imagination running away with me over every ache and pain that I have now . I'm concerned that my lungs may not be strong enough to withstand the surgical procedure if I need surgery. I know that it is fortunate that this has been discovered now and that it could have gone un-noticed for a long time. I do have a good family support unit and good friends who would be there for me should I need them to be. I'm just plain scared. I've seen all your courage on this board and want it to come to me. Whatever the outcome of this is for me, I will always be a particpant in this support community. People need this encouragement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 Katester, glad you found us! Welcome. We all know this first few weeks are very stressful. I was lucky , was one of the few that had pain and the tumor was touching nerves, if that is lucky! You are correct most early diagnosis is done by chance because by the time symptoms appear you have had lung cancer a long time. I was 50 when diagnosed , you are still young in my opinion at 53. It is great that you quit smoking because already your lungs are in better shape than a few months ago. I hope that your nodule is benign. If not I hope it is reasuring to know that I had to have chemo and radiation before they could do surgery ( to shrink it away from the nerve) When they did surgery they said that all that was left was dead scar tissue. I am still glad they removed it! Please keep us posted on how the test goes. If possitive most of us had a slew more tests as pulmonary function, bone scans, brain scans etc then a plan is put in place. Again welcome Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Daughter of Bill Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 Kate I understand the "not knowing". That is a terribly helpless feeling. Hopefully, you will get a good result. Hopefully, it is something else very easily treated. If not, we will be here to support your throughout your journey. Let us know what all of your tests show. Until then, please feel free to post about your fear and anxiety. Angie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave s Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 Katester, Well I see we are practically neighbors. I'm just East of Rochester, NY. You might want to take a look at a thread in the "Alternative and Complementary Therapies" forum. It's entitled "Anti-Inflamatories prior to PET Scan?". Best wishes on your upcoming scan, Dave S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chloesmom Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 Kate: I understand how scared you are right now--I was right there with you about a year ago myself. I can tell you my experience is a lot like yours. Mine was caught on an x-ray--I went for a ct scan after that, and they referred me to a chest surgeon. Chest (thoracic) surgeon ordered a PET scan and pulmonary function test. He also had me discontinue my daily baby aspirin immediately (that was the first hint surgery was coming). The pulmonary function test was done to ascertain whether or not I would have sufficient lung capacity left after removal of a lobe. They have parameters based on past studies. They don't want to leave someone a pulmonary cripple after surgery, so that is a must. They'll do the PET to see what "lights up." Before a PET you are injected with a glucose solution. For some reason that no one knows, tumors take up more glucose activity that normal tissue and that's what they look at in a PET scan. A biopsy may not be done--I didn't have one. That is not uncommon. My surgeon said that there are too many side effects, too much pain, and it is not guaranteed you get the right tissue to sample. That thing had to come out of there anyway. Surgery is tough, but you will recover. Pain management is an issue--they will work with you in the hospital to keep you pain free--it's important, because you will need to do breathing exercises and move around rather soon after surgery. That will speed your recovery. I hope this helps--we've all had experience on this board. You should go over archived posts too--I learned a lot from the folks on this board. Best of luck to you and keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 KATESTER, Welcome to our family.The beginning of this is the worst part as far as I'm concerned.However you still need to find out a lot of things first before you worry too much.(is it cancer, what type ,stage etc.)Hopefully you will get good news.If its bad news then at least you know who and what it is you have to beat the hell outta. The people on this board are very knowing and caring folks.I'm very proud to have met them.BEWARE tho as some of them are total NUTS!!!! and alot of fun and encouragement at the same time.Keep us informed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe B Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 Katester, You are very fortunate they noticed it and you are being checked out. If it is something malignant, the odds are much better when found before symptoms start. Good luck with the PET, praying that the mass is benign. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBone Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 Welcome to the board.I am sorry you had to find us.I am praying that your scan will be negative.You will be on pins and needles waiting for the scan and then again waiting for results.That is normal.All of us hate waiting on results.It is normal to be afraid and have all kinds of new emotions with this news.People on this board are great for support and info.Don't go out on the web looking for stats as I did.That is a big mistake.Every case is different and there is hope.Praying for us all.TBone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 I'm glad you posted. I pray that this all turns out to be something other than cancer. No matter what, it is very positive that this is all being resolved very early on, improving your outcome. This is such a scary time, but it sounds like things are moving swiftly to determine exactly what needs to be done. I am so glad you have a strong support system because that will make a huge difference. Now we will all be watching for your progress and we'll all be pulling for you. Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 Hello, Katester Just between the two of us when I was hospitalized for my last thoracotomy my middle son brought me a small, very nicely appliqued pillow to hold up against my incision when I coughed. It had a CHICKEN on it....as in I was a big chicken about the whole thing. My daughter gave me a small wall hanging with a chicken on it. It is normal to be afraid of something like this. And we will try to be here for you to help you so that it isn't so frightening. I'm going to keep fingers crossed that it is benign. But if it isn't you have tapped into a group of people who genuinely care how you are doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 Katester, My tumor was picked up on X-ray, then sent for CT for better look. I had a biopsy, but no PET scan. The biopsy wasn't "fun" but wasn't too bad - results were in by the end of the day... Risks are involved with any invasive procedure (invasive meaning inside your body - like shots, IV's, etc.) You will be on pins and needles until you know for sure...then the pins and needles will change if it truly is cancer. Biggest thing to remember is to BREATHE...deep, calming breaths. Good luck, I hope you "just" have a lung infection! Take care, Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhutch1366 Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 Katester, Get your test results and your plans all worked out before you get upset. Then get busy and distract yourself so you're not upset. Put one foot in front of the other, one day at a time. And as Becky reminds us... breathe..! slow, deep, cleansing breaths.... There s no way to deal with this other than thru and out the other side. We're here for you, XOXOX MaryAnn Prayers, always Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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