CT scan results

Kazenmax
Kazenmax Member Posts: 463 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I had a CT scan last week. I just got online and read the results. Everyting was good in the abdomen and pelvis... Liver is good. But the chest CT results shows:

There is now noted nodule in the left upper lobe axial, 5 mm. There is nodule in the left lower lobe, 9 mm. No other lung nodules are identified. Stable apical pleural thickening. Areas of atelectasis previously visualized have mostly resolved. There are no pleural abnormalities.

I now have to wait until Jan 19th to see my oncologist. I'm trying very hard not to panic. It's been 2 years since I was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer. I had APR surgery to remove everything and I have a colostomy.

Has anyone had similar?

thanks

k

 

 

Comments

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #2
    Oh drat!

    Could find stronger words, but would not be appopropriate on a family site. 

    I am sorry to hear this news, and I know what you are facing; what will seem like weeks of anxiety until your appointment. 

    I cannot help, other than to let you know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Take time for yourself, pamper yourself, lose yourself in service to others. Do whatever it takes to help eliviate some of the anxiety, because you know as well as the rest of us, that the anxiery will not help, and may even cause things to be worse. 

    I will put the 19th on my calendar, and count those days down with you. 

    Tru

  • zx10guy
    zx10guy Member Posts: 273 Member
    #3
    Don't panic yet.  From

    Don't panic yet.  From following others, it seems lung nodules do pop up randomly and go away just as quickly.  The fact the report doesn't come out and state suspicious for metastasis is a good sign.  At least with the scans I've had, if there is some finding that the radiologist feels needs further follow up, there will be a suggestion about additional scans or tests to rule out some thing.  I've had 2 liver lesions since going through this journey.  For a long time since diagnosis, almost every report stated to follow up with additional testing on the lesions. Even though they have not changed since diagnosis and PET scans showed no hypermetabolic activity along with a biopsy showing benign.  Only within the past year or two have the radiologists stopped suggesting additional tests.

    If it bothers you enough, I would just call in to your oncologist and ask him/her the question.  I don't see why they wouldn't tell you something about the findings before your appointment.  My previous oncologist who was extremely hard to get a hold of would eventually get back to me.  I switched to a new oncologist where I have his personal cell phone.  I text message with him any questions or concerns and he usually responds back to me within an hour.

  • Kazenmax
    Kazenmax Member Posts: 463 Member
    #4
    Trubrit said:

    Oh drat!

    Could find stronger words, but would not be appopropriate on a family site. 

    I am sorry to hear this news, and I know what you are facing; what will seem like weeks of anxiety until your appointment. 

    I cannot help, other than to let you know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Take time for yourself, pamper yourself, lose yourself in service to others. Do whatever it takes to help eliviate some of the anxiety, because you know as well as the rest of us, that the anxiery will not help, and may even cause things to be worse. 

    I will put the 19th on my calendar, and count those days down with you. 

    Tru

    Thanks Tru. It feels so much

    Thanks Tru. It feels so much better to have someone hold your hand virtually. thanks.

  • Kazenmax
    Kazenmax Member Posts: 463 Member
    #5
    zx10guy said:

    Don't panic yet.  From

    Don't panic yet.  From following others, it seems lung nodules do pop up randomly and go away just as quickly.  The fact the report doesn't come out and state suspicious for metastasis is a good sign.  At least with the scans I've had, if there is some finding that the radiologist feels needs further follow up, there will be a suggestion about additional scans or tests to rule out some thing.  I've had 2 liver lesions since going through this journey.  For a long time since diagnosis, almost every report stated to follow up with additional testing on the lesions. Even though they have not changed since diagnosis and PET scans showed no hypermetabolic activity along with a biopsy showing benign.  Only within the past year or two have the radiologists stopped suggesting additional tests.

    If it bothers you enough, I would just call in to your oncologist and ask him/her the question.  I don't see why they wouldn't tell you something about the findings before your appointment.  My previous oncologist who was extremely hard to get a hold of would eventually get back to me.  I switched to a new oncologist where I have his personal cell phone.  I text message with him any questions or concerns and he usually responds back to me within an hour.

    zx10guy, thank you thank you

    zx10guy, thank you thank you thank you. 

    We are having a blizzard right now and I doubt the doc made it to work but I will call him anyway and leave a message. 

    Everything you say makes sense. When I had the tests for my original cancer, they immediately told me that it was cancerous. You are right. Thank you for easing my mind.

    k

     

  • PADAVE1
    PADAVE1 Member Posts: 10
    edited January 2018 #6
    Stupid Nodules

    I have a few Nodules scattered - mostly in left lung.  As others stated - some are noise - others can be C.  My take is - if they grow from scan to scan we all have to be realistic and assume not noise.  I had one taken out via VATS at UPENN last year - others shrinking [i'm on FOLFIRI+Avastin at the moment] so hoping for the best.  Dr. K at PENN great person / sureon - got me in and out in a day and a half - not sure where u getting help but assume you Philly area guy like me.  

  • Kazenmax
    Kazenmax Member Posts: 463 Member
    #7
    PADAVE1 said:

    Stupid Nodules

    I have a few Nodules scattered - mostly in left lung.  As others stated - some are noise - others can be C.  My take is - if they grow from scan to scan we all have to be realistic and assume not noise.  I had one taken out via VATS at UPENN last year - others shrinking [i'm on FOLFIRI+Avastin at the moment] so hoping for the best.  Dr. K at PENN great person / sureon - got me in and out in a day and a half - not sure where u getting help but assume you Philly area guy like me.  

    Maryland

    I live in Maryland but grew up in Delaware County PA. My oncologist is down here. I had a great surgeon at Baltimore's Mercy hospital. Not sure if he does this kind of stuff but if not, I would consider UPENN. I still have family up there.

    Hoping for the best!

    k

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #8
    Take a Breath

    My friend recently had some lung nodules come up on her scan and she was nervous about it too, then they wanted to wait 6 months to see if it changed - and sure enough it didn't.  Lung nodules can occur from a previous sickness and then stay there.  Don't read too much into this as they didn't say it had metasisized they are just noting that there are new findings.  It's got to be so hard to wait until the 19th - I'd be going crazy which I'm sure you are.  If you can't wait, call your doctor's office and explain to them that you can't wait for the explanation.  Praying that all is well. 

    Hugs!  Kim

  • Kazenmax
    Kazenmax Member Posts: 463 Member
    edited January 2018 #9
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Take a Breath

    My friend recently had some lung nodules come up on her scan and she was nervous about it too, then they wanted to wait 6 months to see if it changed - and sure enough it didn't.  Lung nodules can occur from a previous sickness and then stay there.  Don't read too much into this as they didn't say it had metasisized they are just noting that there are new findings.  It's got to be so hard to wait until the 19th - I'd be going crazy which I'm sure you are.  If you can't wait, call your doctor's office and explain to them that you can't wait for the explanation.  Praying that all is well. 

    Hugs!  Kim

    Breathe

    Yes, I have to remember to breathe. Right before I was diagnosed my beloved sister-in-law died of pancreatic cancer. It was heartbreakingly quick. At that time, I decided to get to the doctor for minimum symptoms and found I had rectal cancer. It's always so shocking. It's only been 2 years and I still can't wrap my head around the fact that I actually had cancer. And then again, I'm constantly looking  for symptoms of it returning.

    I don't know when I will learn to take each day as they come. That's a skill I've never  had. I always had a plan. I always worked on getting from one place to the next. I always took action. Cancer made me realize that there are somethings out of my control. 

    This board helps me so much. Thank you for your support, Kim. Thanks for the reminder to let it go. All the worrying won't change results.

    k

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #10
    Kazenmax said:

    Breathe

    Yes, I have to remember to breathe. Right before I was diagnosed my beloved sister-in-law died of pancreatic cancer. It was heartbreakingly quick. At that time, I decided to get to the doctor for minimum symptoms and found I had rectal cancer. It's always so shocking. It's only been 2 years and I still can't wrap my head around the fact that I actually had cancer. And then again, I'm constantly looking  for symptoms of it returning.

    I don't know when I will learn to take each day as they come. That's a skill I've never  had. I always had a plan. I always worked on getting from one place to the next. I always took action. Cancer made me realize that there are somethings out of my control. 

    This board helps me so much. Thank you for your support, Kim. Thanks for the reminder to let it go. All the worrying won't change results.

    k

    Taking a Breath

    Oh my goodness, I'm terrible for taking a breath.  Earlier this year they found something on my mammogram and wanted me to wait 6 months for another one or do a biopsy to see if it was cancer.  Well I'm not one for waiting so my "surgery biopsy" turned out great, but the after effects and possible losing my nipple for 6 months was hell.  See, no breath there for me - just dove into the biospy and things were fine, but after effects and problems now linger because of it.  It's easier said than done, believe me I've been there many, many times.  Looking and feeling will be a part of your future, at least it is with me.  Every twinge bothers me and makes me think - it's hard not too.  Wishing you the best - always.

    Hugs!  Kim

  • Kazenmax
    Kazenmax Member Posts: 463 Member
    #11
    Oncologist

    Saw my doctor and he said that he is not going to do anything. Wait for 3 months and do another scan. If anything has changed, we will do something then. He said they are small and could go away on  their own. They could have been there all along. My blood work looked good. So we wait. Not going to worry. Can't live like that. I want to be here in the moment and enjoy my family.

    Go EAGLES!

    K

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #12
    Kazenmax said:

    Oncologist

    Saw my doctor and he said that he is not going to do anything. Wait for 3 months and do another scan. If anything has changed, we will do something then. He said they are small and could go away on  their own. They could have been there all along. My blood work looked good. So we wait. Not going to worry. Can't live like that. I want to be here in the moment and enjoy my family.

    Go EAGLES!

    K

    Yesterday

    I was thinking of you yesterday, and hoping that you would be here with an update. 

    So, its a waiting game you're going to play. 

    I am happy to hear that your blood work looks good. May it continue. 

    Yes indeed. Enjoy the moment, and leave the worry behind - OK, visit it once in a while, but you are right, not to let it rule your day. 

    My boy is routing the Vikings. HA! 

    Tru

  • beaumontdave
    beaumontdave Member Posts: 1,289 Member
    #13
    I don't remember when but

    I don't remember when but somewhere along the way nodules on the lungs and some kind of static tumor in my adrenal gland starting being part of the report. They didn't emphasis them, so I didn't worry, and here I am, ten years after. Those Eagles look dominant, hope they take the Pats...................................Dave

  • Kazenmax
    Kazenmax Member Posts: 463 Member
    #14
    Trubrit said:

    Yesterday

    I was thinking of you yesterday, and hoping that you would be here with an update. 

    So, its a waiting game you're going to play. 

    I am happy to hear that your blood work looks good. May it continue. 

    Yes indeed. Enjoy the moment, and leave the worry behind - OK, visit it once in a while, but you are right, not to let it rule your day. 

    My boy is routing the Vikings. HA! 

    Tru

    Thanks Tru

    I am so thankful for this board and the support.

    Sorry about the Vikings.

    Go EAGLES

    k

  • Kazenmax
    Kazenmax Member Posts: 463 Member
    #15
    beaumontdave said:

    I don't remember when but

    I don't remember when but somewhere along the way nodules on the lungs and some kind of static tumor in my adrenal gland starting being part of the report. They didn't emphasis them, so I didn't worry, and here I am, ten years after. Those Eagles look dominant, hope they take the Pats...................................Dave

    Thanks Dave

    My spirits were lifted so high  by the game. LOL. I was glad to see the Patriots win over  Jacksonville. I don't know if the EAGLES could do Jacksonville but I think they made win against the Patriots. It's a rematch!

    k

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