Stressed!

Stressed~a good place to start! In 2011 I was disabled with COPD (Asthma & Lupus). In January I went to the Dr with an infection or possible pneumonia.  I had been on antibiotics for 10 days, 5 days off, then another 10 days with a week off and each cycle I began to feel better until the antibiotic was finished. A stronger antibiotoc and O2 to wear at night and on exertion until cleared up, plus my Dr. sent me for a chest x-ray.  That showed that the aeration was better than seen on previous x-ray of two years prior in the lower right lung.  Hyperaeration with an increase in AP diameter with flattening of the hemidiaphragm.  Heart is not enlarged.  Questionable fullness of right hilium not previously seen.

Conclusion:  COPD but no acute pulmonary disease process.  There may be some fullness to the right hilium.  Perhaps CT Scan is indicated.

So CT Scan w/contrast on Feb 27th -  There are a number of bullae and blebs identified.  there are non-specific changes, there may be more aggressive interstitial process involving right lower lung posteriorly, no similar finding on the left.  Unfortunately no previous CT for comparison.  Density seen about the left upper lobe in midline right behind sternum measures a little over cm. There is indeed right hilar adenopathy with a pair of lymph nodes one measuring 1.6 cm and 1.3 cm.  This is probably what is behind the findings on the chest xray.  No left hilar adenopathy.  No subcarinal adenopathy.  Those lymph nodes which are visualized appear to be less than 1 cm.  Aortopulmonary windo is clear, no pleural effusion, no pericardial effusion.  Scans which incorporate upper abdomen fail to demonstrate a mass involving the liver or adrenal glands.  No definite paraaortic adenopathy no lytic or blastic lesion see involving visualized spine.  

Conclusion:  Right hilar adenopathy.  Etiology for this uncertain altho there is an interstitial process involving the right lowr lung posteriorly.  This does raise the possibility of a cancer.  Other interstitial changes very well could be chronic in nature.  Density behind sternum is of unknown etiology.  Theoretically could be a cancer as well, but no left hilar adenopathy is identified.

Onto a PET Scan 3/12/13.

Basically my understanding is so far, I know something is going on.....but not what! Does this mean it is too early for a CT scan to detect, thus onto PET Scan for biological changes?  I am so confused! This conclusion reminds me of today's weather forecasts, which cover every possibility from sunny, cloudy, rain, to snow!  When telling me he wanted a PET scan, said to rule out cancer, but other than the Lupus, I can't imagine it's anything but.  

I am going with the worse case scenario, just because it is easier to be prepared, but I just don't know.  My mind is spinning with all this information!