Any imput re nodule w/coughed blood and enlarged nodes - Cancer: Lung Message Board

shadowrose40 · 11-11-2004, 02:34 PM

HI

I'm new here, and basicaclly have no where else to go, as I have no one close enough to talk to.

On Haloween, I coughed gunk from my lungs with blood in it. As I was also short of breath, and having chest pain, I went to the ER.

They did a lung CT and found a nodule under 1cm on the upper left node. (just where I knew it was) and enlarged nodes in the medistinal region and hilar region.

The nodule was 'non-calcified and indeterminate" I'm 44 and have smoked for 30 years (yeah, I know, stupid, but please refrain from the usual "Stop Smoking" posts)

My questions are these:

Does three months sound like a long time to wait? They want to repeat the scan in 3 months. I ended up in the ER less than a week later with SOB and another CT was done to rule out Pulmonary Embolism.

Does the fact that my lymph nodes are enlarged indicate the liklihood of spreading cancer?

I also have bronchitis and emphysema and asthma- would those have caused the blood when I cough?

All the doc said was that it was 'possible cancer' but the Ct report doesn't say cancer anywhere.

So, I'm confused. Should I be actively seeking a second opinion, or just sit back and wait the 3 months.

Thanks

Larry's Boy · 11-11-2004, 02:42 PM

NEVER sit back and wait! My dad waited and it cost him his life. by the time he went to have a biopsy it was too late and the Dr's ruled out surgery. He breezed thru the Chemo and actually went into remission for 6 months. But one day he had trouble breathing and found out the cancer was back and had spread to his brain. He started radiation, which was absolutely horrible, he lost his vision, hearing, and became could hardly walk. He died 3 months later in Aug. Do not wait, try to get an earlier appt.

PS-has anyone ever had a good experience w/radiation? I think i ever got cancer i would never go the radiation route.

txchaz · 11-12-2004, 01:19 PM

Shadow
These are some very serious sounding issues. I would not wait three months at all I am not saying this to scare you but sometimes as I have learned you have got to take charge. I have read alot about nodules and from the stuff that I have read any nodule in the CM range should be suspect. Add that to your smoking history and the fact you coughed up blood this seems as though it would send up all kind of red flags.

I am curious about you qoute when you say your 44 and have smoked 30 years and at 44 you have emphezima, broncitus, and asthma, but you do not want anyone to mention about the no smoking thing?

I hope I did not scare you was not my intention, I am just hoping you will not wait like they suggest and take matters into your own hands. Time can be a very important thing right now. If you do not like what your doctor is saying find another one soon. I hope everything turns out ok for you.

Chazzzzzzzzzzz

shadowrose40 · 11-13-2004, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txchaz

Shadow
I am curious about you qoute when you say your 44 and have smoked 30 years and at 44 you have emphezima, broncitus, and asthma, but you do not want anyone to mention about the no smoking thing?

Chazzzzzzzzzzz

Because it's only pointing out the obvious, and frankly, just tends to irritate me.

Everyone already knows that smoking is stupid, I don't need to read posts from people telling me it is.

Thanks for your comments anyway, though. I know you've been going through a lot on your own!

renee_ky · 11-20-2004, 08:43 PM

Shadowrose- If you can get an appointment sooner, I would encourage you to do so. With some types of lung cancer (not to scare you) but, 3 months can mean the difference between operatable/inoperatable, or worse. If you discuss this with your doctor, and express your fear/concern, pehaps they can see you sooner.

Keep us posted. You are in my thoughts and prayers!

Renee