PET Scan Rescheduled to comfirm lung mets

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Just wanted to let anyone who is following my story know that my PET scan has been moved to Monday July 13, and I will see the oncologist on Thursday July 16 for the results.

To recap:  when I was first diagnosed in June/July 2014, my breast cancer was stage 3C.  When I had my PET scan, there were 3 tiny nodules in my lungs that were too small to biopsy.  Small, benign lung nodules are common in people that live in this part of the country (Montgomery, AL) because of something in the soil, but because of how advanced my cancer was, the oncologist was concerned that the nodules might be cancer.  Because they were too small to biopsy, he decided not to delay my treatment while he investigated further with major lung surgery.

I had a chest CT when I completed my chemo in December, and the nodules were gone.  The oncologist said that because they disappeared with chemo, that led him to believe they were probably cancer.  After that, I had my double mastectomy and radiation treatments, and saw the oncologist again a couple of weeks later.  I had some nasty radiation burns and he wanted to give that time to heal, but then wanted me to have another chest CT.  I developed a dry cough, and what felt like irritation in my bronchial tube (that feeling you get when you breathe too deeply in cold air), about a week or so before the CT, which was at the end of May.  The results showed a lot of inflammation, and nodules were there and larger they they were in July, but were still too small to biopsy.  The oncologist said that he thought they were cancer, and he has thought that from the beginning.  So I was told to wait a couple of months and was scheduled for a PET scan in August.

The following week I saw the breast surgeon and made sure he knew about the CT.  His nurse got a copy of the report, and when I told him what the oncologist said and asked him what he thought (after he saw the report) he said that he thought I had metastatic breast cancer.

The oncologist gave me a steroid pack and an asthma inhaler which helped at first, but the cough has gotten worse.  I get really winded with minimal activitiy, and I also tire easily.  Since those were symptoms I had when I was doing chemo, I honestly thought I was still getting over everything.  Still, I went ahead and called the nurse practitioner on Monday.  Evidently those symptoms had her concerned because she tried to get me in for my PET scan that same day, but I had already eaten.  I will be having my PET scan this Monday, and will see the oncologist on Thursday for results.  I am fully expecting to be told I have lung mets, and I am okay with that.  I just pray that they can either start treatment without a biopsy, or that they will be large enough to biopsy.

Any words of wisdom are welcome.

 

 

Comments

  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
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    Thinking of you

    I remember your story and would like to say that you sound so brave. I'm sending you positive energy and hoping for a good scan (but you sound ready if the news isn't the best outcome). Keep us posted when you know more and until then, all my best, Anna

  • Desmonds1
    Desmonds1 Member Posts: 54 Member
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    Thinking of you-Susan

    Hoping for the best and for me at least "knowing" after the test was better than the "waiting"

    Thinking of you

    Susan

  • aisling8
    aisling8 Member Posts: 1,627 Member
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    Desmonds1 said:

    Thinking of you-Susan

    Hoping for the best and for me at least "knowing" after the test was better than the "waiting"

    Thinking of you

    Susan

    thinking about you

    Hoping for a good outcome. 

    xoxo

    Victoria

  • MrsBob
    MrsBob Member Posts: 77
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    Hi!
    I had mets to the lungs

    Hi!

    I had mets to the lungs (after 12 years of being NED) in 2013. Xeloda chemo pills did nothing. When I took Arimidex and Xgeva (shot) my lungs cleared within a couple months.

    I hope you get some answers and can start to get rid of your lung nodules.  I know how hard it is to breath with them.

    Keep us posted!

    Missy

  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
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    MrsBob said:

    Hi!
    I had mets to the lungs

    Hi!

    I had mets to the lungs (after 12 years of being NED) in 2013. Xeloda chemo pills did nothing. When I took Arimidex and Xgeva (shot) my lungs cleared within a couple months.

    I hope you get some answers and can start to get rid of your lung nodules.  I know how hard it is to breath with them.

    Keep us posted!

    Missy

    Good luck

    Wishing  the best outcome possible sending positive thougths your way

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
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    Good luck

    Wishing  the best outcome possible sending positive thougths your way

    so very sorry ...

    sending prayers, and positive thoughts to you.  Wishing you comfort in the meantime.

    Gentle hugs,

    Vicki Sam