Need Some Advice

[lisajones4]

Good morning. I haven't posted in awhile, but I visit the site every day to see how you are all doing. I currently am 4 years and five months out of Stage IIIA HER2+++ (Er-PR-). I still receive CT and bone scans every six months. I just received my results and they were clean except 3 new spots (subcentimemter) on my lungs. Since I was diagnosed in 2005, I have had spots on my lungs on and off. My doctor always monitors them and they usually go away or just never grow. The nurse called this morning and told me that my doc is not concerned about them and just wants to scan me again in 6 months. I am not sure why I am so paranoid about them this time. Maybe it is because I am so close to the 5-year mark? Should I just put this in the back of my mind or ask more questions?

[Becky]

What does the radiologist reading the scans think they are? Perhaps that radiologist should review all the pix and make some comment. Do they go away and then come back or do they go away but new spots emerge in a different location (and then those go away too).

I would want some explanation of what they think it is. I had a first scan after treatment was completed and they saw something in my right upper lobe. Said to rescan in 3 months. Of course you can't just let it go AND, I didn't want to continue just having scans unless there were symptoms. I got my onc and the radiologist together. The radiologist didn't know my history. Seems the "hazy something" in the right lung was radiation scarring. Yours could be infection, response to allergens, anything like that but it would be nice if they would give you some theories. Settles the mind. I am sure you are fine but I know how the mind can take you to that bad place of Cancerland.

Keep smiling.

[PinkGirl]

Hi Lisa
I've had some spots in my lungs that sound similar. I had
scans every 3 months and then every 6 months. They
eventually disappeared and then two new ones popped up.
Then those two disappeared. I ended up having a lot of
scans.

My onc. was never concerned ... but always wanted to keep
an eye on them. At my Cancer Centre the same radiologist
reviews my scans and does comparisons.
My oncologist goes by the radiologist's suggestions.

Maybe you would feel better with 3 month scans just to
ease your mind a bit.

[Lien]

Over the past few years 3 friends of mine had a big scare (and some unnecessary surgery) for lung nodules their oncs thought were mets. They turned out to be totally harmless. One of them was already arranging custody for his kids, because he feared he was dying. He's alive and doing fine, three years later.

I'm glad you don't have an alarmist onc, as these people went through H*** thinking they were terminally ill.

Having said that, if you are worried, tell your doc. It's quite likely s/he can set your mind at rest.

Love

Jacqueline

[lisajones4]

Thank you so much for your replies. I can't tell you how much they helped me! I am calling the doc on Monday!