New here. terrified of the unknown.

Hang in there

Nodules can be fairly comman. They can be caused by scarring from infections, diseases and even arthritis. It can only be confirmed as cancerous through a biopsy not a CT scan. Scans are often done to monitor for growth. Not that is a tell all for possible cancer either but often does prompt a biopsy - if it is big enough. A referral to a pulmonary specialist will get their opinion and if a biopsy is warranted. May your nodule not be cancerous and you continue on without cancer in your life.

Thank you and you are most welcome!

You should always see your dr and listen to their expert advise as I am no dr of course. I am only relaying yes what i have learned in my 4 1/2 years of having to be aquainted with this beast. God forbid but I can be wrong. I just have known a number of people that scared themselves to death that they had cancer and in the end they did not thank goodness. Sometimes it is just not cancer and I truly hope for you this is the case. I get it is scarey. Even still knowing what I do, if I was in your position I am sure I would still be freaked out until I knew for sure! Hey we are human. The thing that worked for me to try to remain calm and not focus on "cancer" was to do things I loved the most - hobbies, being with best friends, watching fav movies. What better way to spend your time right? That was advise I got from someone on another cancer site when I first started this journey and she is a very dear friend now. I  give that same advice to whomever needs it. Waiting sucks, but keep busy as above and wait to see what comes of the results. All the best and please let me know how things turn out. Fingers crossed!

srndpty4life said:

Great advice

Going to the Dr. for a follow up which will be a relief, things are moving along now and that seems to help. In the meantime, I have been staying away from digging too deep into anything until something is determined. The tech even told me the internet can be your enemy, imagine that!! So, I will take your advice and put this in the back of miy mind, and start focusing on the good things in my life. Spring is right around the corner, and I have alot to look forward to! Thanks again for your support and kind words. I will be back on here again once I see the Doc. 

Also Scared

I went for a random ct scan Dec. 13, I wanted to see if I had any calcium on heart, no calcium but to my surpise a 9mm spiculated nodule in lingual.  Terrified is an understatement even tho I smoked on and off for 20 years, 3 weeks later went for a PET scan that showed no uptake anywhere, not even the nodule, not even a little, so If it were to glow anywhere they would have got me right into a pulminologist but because it did not I see him Feb. 13.  I have been on every site possible and when it comes to nodules and spiculated it is not good, although I have talked to a few dr. who say spiculated does not always mean cancer.  The waiting is awful and I feel like my life just shut down, i am praying that it has not grown.

Thank you

Thank you for your response.  I quit smoking the day I found out about the nodule almost 2 months ago, cold turkey.  The doc did give me something for my anxiety, doesnt seem to be working lol.  I am so happy to hear that your husband is now 4.5 years cancer free, that is very encouraging. I wil get back on after dr. appt. next week with update.

jorola said:

Like I said above, heck ya this is scary. I completely get that. But the only thing you can do is take things step by step. Jumping ahead to a diagnosis of cancer is only going to drive you nuts. I can see it in your post. I know you are beating yourself up for smoking. You can't change your past. As much as we would all love to it is what it is. You can change your future though. Whether you have cancer or not, if you haven't quit, you can quit now. Yes it does make a difference even now. I encourage you to STOP googling. That is only feeding your anxiety right now. If you can't find calm, talk to your dr about something to help you while you wait for results. Also if it is cancer, 9mm is very small - like stage 1 or at most 2 which both are very cureable. My husband's tumor was 7 CM across - just across, not even sure how big ALL THE WAY around it was. He was stage 3b and after some tough chemo and radition he is now 4.5 yrd no evidence of disease (cancer free). PLease take heart LOWE. Take deep breaths. You are in good hands with your dr. Let us know how things turn out for you as well ok?

Thank you

Your words of advice have taken a weight of my shoulders - I too am waiting for test results.
I'd been having increasing trouble breathing so doc ordered xray. Xray showed pleural effusion on right lung. They drained two litres (!!) of fluid off on Thursday and I had CT scan on Friday (plus full bloods, ECG, etc, etc). ECG and bloods all fine. Fluid has been sent for testing and will see the doc this coming week for CT and fluid results. Have been beside myself with fear - I had breast cancer (stage 3 invasive) 10 years ago on my right side and doc said there's a chance this could be a reoccurance. Am absolutely terrified that it's come back and am expecting the worst even though I know that's irrational.
It's the waiting and not knowing that is the hardest - which I'm sure everyone on here knows.
Anyway I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU - your post has provided me with some reassurance and sensible advice  

srndpty4life congrats

always remember take things step by steps and breathe. you will find your way. You are most kind with your words, thank you but I am just returning the favour once paid to me when I was once in your position. Seriosly no need to thank me. Just promise me to go live, laugh and most of all love.

jorola said:

Like I said above, heck ya this is scary. I completely get that. But the only thing you can do is take things step by step. Jumping ahead to a diagnosis of cancer is only going to drive you nuts. I can see it in your post. I know you are beating yourself up for smoking. You can't change your past. As much as we would all love to it is what it is. You can change your future though. Whether you have cancer or not, if you haven't quit, you can quit now. Yes it does make a difference even now. I encourage you to STOP googling. That is only feeding your anxiety right now. If you can't find calm, talk to your dr about something to help you while you wait for results. Also if it is cancer, 9mm is very small - like stage 1 or at most 2 which both are very cureable. My husband's tumor was 7 CM across - just across, not even sure how big ALL THE WAY around it was. He was stage 3b and after some tough chemo and radition he is now 4.5 yrd no evidence of disease (cancer free). PLease take heart LOWE. Take deep breaths. You are in good hands with your dr. Let us know how things turn out for you as well ok?

Newly diagnosed SCLC

I was glad to see your husband is over 4 years out from his diagnosis. My oncologist says after the biopsy n PET that I have SCLC limited stage n my radiation oncologist says it’s stage III B as the lymph nodes on that side were involved   I just started chemo n had my 1st cycle of 3.  I start radiation in a few days. I’m a retired RN so I had to not get to ahead of myself but it’s difficult as the survival percentage didn’t seem very good.   My mass is 2.2cm upper right lobe. The lymph nodes on that side caused a lot of pressure on the superior vena cava n it boarded on emergent but with steroids n first round of chemo the nodes shrunk enough to give me relief.  They ready jumped on treatments within a few days after biopsy was back    Any advice would be appreciated 

jorola said:

First don't listen to stats

especially with today's newer treatments. Stats are based on information (results of treatments) from 10 or more years ago. You know as an RN how quickly medicine treatments advance. So ignore the stats and just focus on you and your fight. Immunotherapy is started being used on small cell lung cancer now. This might be something you may want to discuss with your oncologist.

Thank you

thank you for your reply. You are right n again I was getting ahead of myself.  my oncologist does do immunotherapy for SCLC extensive stage But he says I’m limited stage even though there was one lymph node in the left cervical area which showed cancer on the PET otherwise it’s on on the right side of chest.  I believe they are thinking radiation will take care of that one.  

I use extreme caution with sites like the one posted above

 

It is not, repeat not, from a reputable medical site like the Mayo Clinic or Dana Farber or even a known cancer site like CSN or Canadian Cancer Society.

 

It is from syptomsinfo.com - not even known who sponsors it. It even says at the bottom of their website " symptomsinfo.com – All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See a certified medical professional for diagnosis and treatment recommendations."

 

Please be careful googling for your own safety. There is great info out there and there is not so great info out there. Always stick to reputable sites and most of all reconfirm the information you found out with your doctor to see if it applies to you!