So, just over three years out from the end of treatment, I went to one of my 3 semi-annual check-ups this one with the MO. Blood draw, Chest X-Ray, Exam -- all look good. Early last week his office called, and the radiologist saw a small nodule at the base of my left lung. So, off to CT I went last Thursday.

Now, I went through the lung nodule thing before, actually just before I had my OC diagnosis. Two years of serial CT scans and they all either disappeared or were stable. So, rationally I know that there are lots of benign reasons for these things. My wife and I have also both had upper respiratory bug this summer. I also rationally know that if it were malignant, likely that it can be surgically handled, with good results.

Nonetheless, my mind has been a mess for the last week. I feel especially sorry for my wife, who has to put up with all this worry again.

Just an update. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated. I'll keep you posted.

Jeff

Jeff - I can certainly emphathize with your wife. My son had a similar experience just recently when a "spot" was discovered on his chest Xray. He went for CT scan and waiting for results was a crazy-maker. But the CT indicated the "Spot" on his lung was just scar tissue from the pneumonia he had 4 months ago. What helped me thru the waiting was trying to keep busy with physical things like power walking, mowing lawn, etc. When I found myself really down I would look at the clock and allow myself only 3 more minutes of compassion for our situation and then force myself to think of something else. Paul (my son) had a lot of help from his girlfriend, too, to distract him for which I was really grateful. So hang in there, try to think of the good stuff like all the good check-ups you've had, and keep us updated.

Jeff, Best of luck to you. I just heard from my MO that last weeks CT of my chest and neck is showing something suspicious in my right lung. He is ordering a Pet scan ASAP. I'm a little worried, since this was quite unexpected. Any others out there who can offer advice please?

SCC left tonsil dx 9/15/09. finished 7 weeks chemo and rad. 11/20/09 PEG 9/09 to 4/10. 2/10 Pet was clean. HPV 16+; non-smoker.

I have had three lung scan scares in 10 years. None turned out to be anything serious. Remember that that PET will show a hot spot from inflammation and infection as readily as cancer and you can't tell the two apart.

Thanks for the input, all.

Brian, I appreciate the reminder. This showed up on X-Ray, but apparently only after radiologist went over it with a fine toothed comb. My MO,who is pretty sharp on this stuff, didn't see anything in his reading of it.

CT Results are pending, likely because MO knows that PET would likely be of little help at this juncture.

As Roseanne-Roseanna Danna said "It's always something!"

Jeff, Just wanted you to know I have also been dealing with a spot on my right lung. I had one show on the first Pet scan one yr. after treatment. The next yr, it didn't show. Last year it showed up again. I have been referred to a specialist, and he's done 2 CT scans, it shows but isn't getting any larger. He said he wants to watch if for a couple of yrs. I'm getting leery about all the scans, but there's always that "what if" in the back of our minds. I just saw my H&N doctor yesterday for my yearly visit, and things are all good. So being 4 yrs clean I'm done with the Pet scans. So glad. Anyway just wanted to share that maybe the lung thing is common. Hope all goes well with you. Linda

Jeff, wishing you all the best. I am so glad to read you are handling this with such logical thinking. Its not always easy to see things so clearly and rationally. Hope you get the results soon and that everything is ok.

You dont need our wisdom jeff you have shedloads of your own,but you can certainly have my thoughts and wishes for another good outcome xx

Well, just got off the phone with my MO's assistant, and the news is good. CT showed a 5mm nodule in the left lower lobe, which they are just going to watch, but they strongly suspect is inflammatory or fungal in nature, particularly given my past history of these small nodules. They will have pulmonary doc follow me, but nothing urgent or imminent.

Thanks for all the support. Damn, I have a real love/hate relationship with these follow-ups!

Jeff, thats excellent news. So glad its nothing to worry about. Now you know what it is. How often will you need to get this checked? We are all family here and stick together