Should I panic ?

[Bluetug113]

In December of 2017, I was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma in my left upper lung. My lung was removed January 3, 2018. Four 21 day cycles of Chemo. Six month scan after surgery nothing. 12 month scan had a nodule in my right mid 3 mm and right bottom 5 mm. Not mentioned in 12 month report. 18 month report shows same both grew by 2mm. I am schedule another scan in 3 months. Anyone else have similar. I am panicking to have to go through this again. Only good is that its early. But what is it.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Have you had a recent cold? Flu? Asthma? Allergic exposure? Exposure to home or industrial cleaning fumes? Pollution? Molds?

These are a few of the things that can cause nodules to grow. Where I live in Michigan it is estimated that half the population will die never knowing they have them. They are caused by histoplasmosis. Actually if you live in any state that has rivers feeding into the Ohio River Valley, or have been in the woods in any state that does, there’s a strong possibility you’ve been exposed to histoplasmosis.

In November of 2017 I went from 12 month CTs to 3 month CTs because of growth in an existing nodule or development of a new one. If there’s no change to any of them in July, I will go back to annual CTs. Likely cause of mine? Pneumonitis for one and living in a cloud of Lysol when flu type A went through my house.

How I get through it is straight forward. I believe the cancer will do what it is going to do. I can’t control that. I control my response. Which I do by living my best possible life between scans.

Dwelling on it robs me of time I could be doing something I enjoy. Time given over to fear is time I can’t get back so I’ve gotten very good at compartmentalizing my fear. Flat out denial works.

Your doctor is to be applaud for being cautious and following this the way it is being followed. I don’t like the term watchful waiting. What your doctor is doing by going to 3 month follow ups is better described as active observation.

[Bluetug113 in reply to Denzie]

Thank You

[JeanE41]

I have had the same experience with a new nodule appearing about 1 1/2 years after my left upper lobectoctomy for adenocarcinoma. We have been following it and another nodule that was stable for many years in the other lung, but started to grow. At first the news was devastating, but after a while I realized that worrying was only going to hurt me, so I started doing whatever I could think of to take my mind off the situation. Like Denzie I have gotten good at compartmentalizing my fear. It has been 2 1/2 years since we started following the nodules. They showed continued very slow growth until my last scan in April when the radiologist considered them stable for the first time. So we continue to watch and wait. The next scan will be in October and we see what is what then. I realize I have no control over whatever they are, only over my response. Yes I'm still scared especially at night when I'm not occupied with other activities, but I'm not preoccupied with it all the time. Take things one step at a time. Definitely easier said than done. Try to keep busy with things you enjoy. Meditation can help. Whatever you enjoy to keep your mind off the situation.

Your oncologist sounds like he or she is following you closely and you are in good hands. I hope your next scan brings good news.

Jean

[Bluetug113 in reply to JeanE41]

Thanks Jean

[Feelingblessed2013]

I like Denzie's term "active observation". She is also correct that you cannot let this rule your life. Worry is the interest paid on a bill before the bill becomes due (or something like that). Those nodules could be something or nothing, and yes cancers gonna do what ever it's gonna do, worrying won't change that. Worry just causes stress, and stress is never good for the body.

I lost my upper left lobe to stage 2 squamous cell LC in July 2013. In April 2018 I lost the upper right (again to squamous cell, but this time stage 1a), but I am still here. I am having my last every 4 month scan in late August early September, then I will be back out to every 6 months, then finally yearly. I count my blessings that the first cancer was found accidentally, and the second because of the first. My last scan was NED, and I am thinking positive that my next (and all future scans) will be the same, NED.

[Bluetug113 in reply to Feelingblessed2013]

Thanks.

[JanetteR57]

Understand your fear and worry - as others have said nodules can come and go due to inflammation which is why observation is featured in treatment. The recent introduction of lung screening pilot schemes in the UK has identified that many people have nodes in their lungs (like many of us have freckles/moles) and not all will develop into anything sinister so there is now a protocol for nodule management (British thoracic society guidelines enshrined into NHSE protocol for lung screening pilots) and anything under 3mm not regularly watched but if there is a history of LC, this is given more care. As others have said, best to get on with life. This week we lost my niece to a sudden catastrophic bleed on her brain and we turned off her life support on Tuesday. At just 33, and having lost her mum aged 40 (my sister) 17 years ago, it's really hard to accept and makes me realise that although we all fret after our diagnosis about the fear of return, many other conditions do not have this time to prepare or make the most of life. I decided a few years ago (my diagnosis was in Jan 2011) to try and make the most of life whatever it throws at me and despite having had several hospital episodes in the subsequent years for all manner of respiratory failings, so far not sinister although sometimes suspected. keeping my fingers crossed for you and sounds as if your clinician is doing the right thing. good luck.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to JanetteR57]

You make such an important point. Other conditions don’t allow us to make preparations or heal old wounds.

[Bluetug113 in reply to JanetteR57]

I am so sorry for your loose. Thank You

[JanetteR57]

Thank you for your kind words. My posting should state 'nodules' rather than 'nodes' in line 3 - sorry for any confusion caused. Nodes are lymph nodes that are tested whereas nodules are equivalent to moles/marks inside the lung (could be caused by scarring, inflammation or some other lung damage throughout our lives) where a few may develop into something worse but many will not. don't want to alarm people unnecessarily.