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Newlease (original poster member #7767) posted at 9:07 PM on Wednesday, March 19th, 2014
I came down with a respiratory virus this week and due to asthma and COPD, I went to the Dr. to get checked out. I was having trouble drawing a deep breath - felt like a vice was on my upper body. I've had it before and I wasn't too concerned, but because of having had pneumonia in 2009, I wanted to get checked out.
Dr. did a chest xray and showed it to me. No infection (YEA) but, there is a mass in the lower region of one of my lungs - it was there in 2009 when I went through a very long bought with pneumonia and was determined to be scar tissue. I assume that is why I got a diagnosis of COPD.
I have never smoked but grew up in a house with heavy smokers. I never had any breathing issues until 2009 when I got the pneumonia that stuck around for 4 months until I finally kicked it. After that and many tests, including xrays, CT scans, and something where I had to inhale and exhale in a booth, I was diagnosed with asthma and COPD.
I am on a regimen of Cymbacort (sp) inhaler 2x a day and Cingular 10mg every night. I am able to keep it well under control using this and don't have to use a rescue inhaler much at all. This is all to illustrate that my life hasn't been impacted much at all by these issues.
Now the Dr. wants a new CT scan with dye to see if this mass (it looks more like a nodule to me) has grown since 2009. It looks the same to me, but I suppose very small growth could have occurred - it's about the size of a silver dollar.
He used the word cancer - which I didn't get to worked up about because he tends to be OVERLY cautious about these issues. I mean if I hadn't come in to get checked for pneumonia, he wouldn't have even thought about getting my lungs checked again.
Does this sound like something that is necessary? It seems like I get a lot of diagnostic testing for things that turn out to be nothing.
NL
Even if you can't control the world around you, you are still the master of your own soul.
unfound ( member #12802) posted at 10:04 PM on Wednesday, March 19th, 2014
((nl)) I always err on the side of caution.
ka-mai
*************
Kids on the playground can be so cruel. “Get off the swings you’re like 50, and stop talking about Soundgarden, we don't even know what that is."
jo2love ( member #31528) posted at 10:35 PM on Wednesday, March 19th, 2014
Deeply Scared ( Administrator #2) posted at 10:56 PM on Wednesday, March 19th, 2014
(((Newlease))) Sending you healing thoughts and energy.
"Don't give up, the beginning is always the hardest." My Mom:)
My tolerance for stupid shit is getting less and less.
ajsmom ( member #17460) posted at 10:57 PM on Wednesday, March 19th, 2014
I have never smoked but grew up in a house with heavy smokers.
Me too. What you're going through is one of my biggest fears.
That said, just like a mole, get it checked. You just never know.
AJ's MOM
Fidelity isn't a feeling...it's a choice.
"Truth has no special time of its own. Its hour is now - always." - Albert Schweitzer
____________________________________________
Me: BW - Him: 200+ # tumor removed 7/09
One AMAZING DS - 34
MovingUpward ( member #14866) posted at 11:50 PM on Wednesday, March 19th, 2014
If it has been a few years it is probably good to take another snap shot so you can know the history. If it has grown then it is better to be addressing in now instead of latter. If it hasn't grown then you have another data point over time. I think doctors today are really focused on catching anomalies as early as possible. The fear is usually cancer but I bet that is the minority of the findings.
Sending prayers of comfort
purplejacket4 ( member #34262) posted at 2:46 AM on Thursday, March 20th, 2014
Cancers in the lungs aren't that slow growing. Ever.
It's been so long it doesn't hurt to have new measurements but don't sweat it.
[This message edited by purplejacket4 at 8:47 PM, March 19th (Wednesday)]
Me: BS 50
Her: FWS 53 (both family med MDs; together 23 years)
OW: who cares (PhD)
Dday: 10/11: 11/11 TT for months; NC 8/12
Limboconsiliationish
"band aids don't fix bullet holes" Taylor Swift
I NEVER mind medical ???
Kajem ( member #36134) posted at 8:41 AM on Thursday, March 20th, 2014
My dad had the test with the dye for lung cancer. His was positive. He's been smoking for 50+ years.
Doc explained the dye is laced with a sugar solution. Everything that grows quickly needs food fast to grow. The sugar is consumed by the quickly growing tumor. As a result things that are consuming the dye(sugar) substance will glow during the scan.
I hope this explanation helps. And I'll be praying for good outcomes.
K
I trust you is a better compliment than I love you, because you may not trust the person you love, but you can always love the person you trust. - UnknownRelationships are like sharing a book, it doesn't work if you're not on the same page.
tushnurse ( member #21101) posted at 1:48 PM on Thursday, March 20th, 2014
What PJ said, and want to add that nodules in the lungs are actually pretty common.
Sending MoJo and well wishes.
((((and strength))))
Me: FBSHim: FWSKids: 23 & 27 Married for 32 years now, was 16 at the time.D-Day Sept 26 2008R'd in about 2 years. Old Vet now.
wildbananas ( member #10552) posted at 2:58 PM on Thursday, March 20th, 2014
Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light. ~ Yogi Bhajan
Newlease (original poster member #7767) posted at 9:39 PM on Thursday, March 20th, 2014
Just got the results back from the CT I had done this morning. No changes, no problems. Just as I expected!
NL
Even if you can't control the world around you, you are still the master of your own soul.
purplejacket4 ( member #34262) posted at 9:41 PM on Thursday, March 20th, 2014
Me: BS 50
Her: FWS 53 (both family med MDs; together 23 years)
OW: who cares (PhD)
Dday: 10/11: 11/11 TT for months; NC 8/12
Limboconsiliationish
"band aids don't fix bullet holes" Taylor Swift
I NEVER mind medical ???
tushnurse ( member #21101) posted at 9:44 PM on Thursday, March 20th, 2014
Me: FBSHim: FWSKids: 23 & 27 Married for 32 years now, was 16 at the time.D-Day Sept 26 2008R'd in about 2 years. Old Vet now.
Newlease (original poster member #7767) posted at 10:41 PM on Thursday, March 20th, 2014
Oh and thanks to everyone for the uplifting advice, prayers, and support!
NL
Even if you can't control the world around you, you are still the master of your own soul.
jo2love ( member #31528) posted at 10:45 PM on Thursday, March 20th, 2014
Faithful w/Love ( member #33128) posted at 7:01 PM on Friday, March 21st, 2014
Thank Goodness. 
BS(ME)41 WH(HIM)38
DD 21 and DS 16
Separated Aug 2012
Moved back home Oct 31 2013
Separated again June 2014. Heading toward divorce.
False R. Still Lying.
"You never know how strong you are until being strong is all you have left"
MovingUpward ( member #14866) posted at 7:32 PM on Friday, March 21st, 2014
nowiknow23 ( member #33226) posted at 7:34 PM on Friday, March 21st, 2014
Yay! 
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And never grow a wishbone, daughter, where your backbone ought to be.
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woundedby2 ( member #18522) posted at 7:36 PM on Friday, March 21st, 2014
Great news!
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Everybody, soon or late, sits down to a banquet of consequences.
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