I have a lung nodule!!!??? - Cancer: Lung Message Board

kellyljames · 12-18-2003, 07:41 PM

Hi everyone, new here. 35 year old mother of 5 girls, heavy smoker for 15 years. A routine xray showed a 5mm lung nodule in my upper left lung. Radiologist says "could" be a "vacular shadow" but wants me to "wait and watch", in other words, be re-xrayed in 3 months to see if it has grown. This sounds very stupid to me. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? Has anyone been through this?

Kelly

butterflytrans · 12-18-2003, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellyljames

Hi everyone, new here. 35 year old mother of 5 girls, heavy smoker for 15 years. A routine xray showed a 5mm lung nodule in my upper left lung. Radiologist says "could" be a "vacular shadow" but wants me to "wait and watch", in other words, be re-xrayed in 3 months to see if it has grown. This sounds very stupid to me. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? Has anyone been through this?

Kelly

Hi Kellyljames,

the reason the doctors are waiting rather than do anything is because there is no reason to put you through something that could result in possible complications if it's not necessary. Allow me to explain. A nodule that shows up on the x-ray can mean a lot of different things. Yes, I know, the first thing that anyone would obviously be worried about (especially a smoker) is lung cancer...and yes, I'm not going to lie to you, lung cancer is a possibility....but there are a whackload of other things a solitary pulmonary nodule can be. It can be a focus of infection (pneumonia), it can be an atriovenous malformation, it can be sarcoidosis, it can be part of the normal anatomy of the lung...etc. etc. etc. Instead of trying to throw all of this medical language at you, I can tell you that not all of the possibilities are bad. Now, waiting three months, if they see that there is any change in the nodule, then they will biopsy it to see if it is lung cancer, but if it goes away, then you're fine and you didn't have to undergo a biopsy procedure (which as you know) has risks.

Now you're may be thinking, "But what if it's lung cancer, and in the three monts the doctor makes me wait, it gets worse and it spreads?" Well, I'll tell you that a lung cancer that presents as a solitary pulmonary nodule is not going to be much bigger in 3 months.

MichaelNYC · 12-19-2003, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellyljames

Hi everyone, new here. 35 year old mother of 5 girls, heavy smoker for 15 years. A routine xray showed a 5mm lung nodule in my upper left lung. Radiologist says "could" be a "vacular shadow" but wants me to "wait and watch", in other words, be re-xrayed in 3 months to see if it has grown. This sounds very stupid to me. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? Has anyone been through this?

Kelly

It's possible that you don't have cancer but as a precaution be aware that most nutritionists believe sugar feeds cancer both refined and natural. There are books written by nutritionists for cancer patients on how to beat cancer with nutrition. Research and read all you can about the role of nutrition. Do a search on Patrick Quillin. You must also consider supplements. I take a packet of 11 capsules each day which contain 56 vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, antioxidants, amino acids & supporting nutrients. They come 30 packets in a box. Any large health food store would have it. Be certain that it includes selenium. Again, nutrition and a strong immune system is crucial.

kellyljames · 12-19-2003, 10:12 AM

Thank you both. They compared the recent xray (the one with the nodule) to xrays i had a year ago, the nodule was not present a year ago. Anyway, I did call my doc the other day, and pled with her to not make me wait. She seemed to have "forgotton" my families heavy history of lung cancer. She called this morning and said she talked with a pulmonary specialist and he said the xray did warrant a CT. I get that on Monday. I dont know how I could handle the guilt if i find out its something bad...what am I suppossed to tell my kids? "mommy is not going to be around because I chose smoking over being with you in the future" ? I have not smoked in 3 days. I hope it is nothing and I can start over. OH, I also have early emphasyma, which I know puts me more at risk. I will try the supplements, I took myself off table sugar 4 mos ago when my triglycerides where sky high, just using splenda in my coffee now. I have NOT seen anything good on any kind of nodules that were not there before, and suddenly show up. But ill trust, and wait. Thank you.

MichaelNYC · 12-19-2003, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellyljames

Thank you both. They compared the recent xray (the one with the nodule) to xrays i had a year ago, the nodule was not present a year ago. Anyway, I did call my doc the other day, and pled with her to not make me wait. She seemed to have "forgotton" my families heavy history of lung cancer. She called this morning and said she talked with a pulmonary specialist and he said the xray did warrant a CT. I get that on Monday. I dont know how I could handle the guilt if i find out its something bad...what am I suppossed to tell my kids? "mommy is not going to be around because I chose smoking over being with you in the future" ? I have not smoked in 3 days. I hope it is nothing and I can start over. OH, I also have early emphasyma, which I know puts me more at risk. I will try the supplements, I took myself off table sugar 4 mos ago when my triglycerides where sky high, just using splenda in my coffee now. I have NOT seen anything good on any kind of nodules that were not there before, and suddenly show up. But ill trust, and wait. Thank you.

You are so wise for being proactive and insisting on a CT Lung Scan. A CT Lung Scan is 6 times more powerful than xray and can detect a tumor the size of a grain of rice. You'll have the results (by phone ) on Tuesday. For those reading this message you DON'T need a doctors referral or prescription to get a CT Lung Scan. I get one every year on my own (former long term smoker) at a non profit medical center for $250. The test takes 5 minutes. There are hundreds of private diagnostic centers nationwide that charge $400 - $425 which is money well spent for peace of mind or detecting cancer early. None of this is reimbursable. Hopefully, you will get good news on Tuesday. Let us know the outcome. Again, supplements and nutrition is VITAL. I was going to also suggest exercise but with 5 young children this may not be necessary (LOL). The Very Best. Michael