Help and advice please...

[Bacc1234]

My partner had pneumonia back in Feb this year, 2 months later was diagnosed with ITP, she had a ct scan that has found a 6cm lesion/nodule on her lung and diverticulitus. We where told over phone today, we dont know where to go with this, they are arranging a lumbar puncture next, no one has said this is cancer or not cancer we are so confused, any advice would be great-fully received. We where told that a ct was precautionary because of the ITP and the findings where unexpected, its made all the more difficult as we cant see anyone face to face due to covid. Why would they be doing a lumbar puncture?

[jillygirl]

Hello Bacc, I am so sorry I cant really help you, however if you call the following number they have dedicated nurses to help and explain. roycastle.org

03333237200

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear Bacc1234

Sorry to hear that all these unexpected events are causing you both such anxiety and worry which is understandable.

It can be really difficult receiving this information over the phone, especially when it is not expected and you cannot see the doctor face to face to ask all the questions that come to your mind, and as you say you are left feeling quite isolated amongst it all.

I will go through each one below in the order of the details that you provided:

The investigations that would normally follow in aiding a diagnosis after a lung nodule is found would be a PET scan, which provides a more detailed three dimensional image, also a bronchoscopy and biopsy.

The CT scan you mentioned where what they found was unexpected, is this the lung nodule that you are referring to or something else?

Although your partner has not been told they have lung cancer, if it helps, we have a booklet on 'managing your lung cancer diagnosis' which in the first half of the booklet details the investigations that would be done, to either confirm or exclude cancer. This is the link to the booklet, which you can choose to look at or not: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

ITP ( Immune Thromboyctopenic Purpura) is an autoimmune condition that reduces the body's ability to make platelets which are necessary for clotting.

There is a very detailed patient information booklet on this from Oxford University Hospital found on this link:

ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/le...

or a summarised version from Guys and St Thomas:

guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/reso...

A lumbar puncture can be used for a number of things, one of them is to find a diagnosis by removing some of the fluid in the spine, information on this can be found from the NHS on this link:

nhs.uk/conditions/lumbar-pu...

It may be advisable for your partner to call their GP for clarification why the lumbar puncture is being done or the doctor that called you. If you know their name you could call the hospital and ask to speak to their secretary for them to get in contact with you.

If it is better for you to see them face to face, perhaps request that the contact be made through Zoom, What's app, Face time or Skype.

Not knowing or understanding why the lumbar puncture is being done is creating more anxiety for you both. I am happy to discuss this either by email at [e-mail] or call our freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team