Just got off the phone with the doc regarding results of my physical last week. Seems all the blood tests came back good, PSA, general test for cancer (some sort of onco test) white, red blood counts, etc.

But, from the chest x-ray seems there's a bit of "fibrosis" on the apex of my left lung, the doc things possibly from the radiation, would be the area behind the collarbone. Wants to do a side view x-ray to check. Since I've been radiated on both sides down to the collarbone, could be a possiblilty. Doc want's to check it out well, but not in a panic mode yet.

Of course I'm doing the big freak out nervous deal, even though the PET CT from July 15 was all clear.

Heading back to the doc's tomorrow for re-x ray.

Somebody tell me I'm getting nervous for no big deal please.

ARGGHH

Bob

Yes Bob your lungs could very easily have been damaged by the radiation. I have the same thing. My radiation Onc. kind of said "oh didn't we tell you about that?" The top of both my lungs are toasted. (sort of a light golden brown I think)

I believe you are OK (at least about this )

Go for the test and then relax.

Good to hear that, I think someone once said on the board here that mets don't show up on a simple chest x-ray anyway. (I hope)!! A nervous day or two anyway.

I think I'll give the rad onco doc a call and see what he has to say.
Bob

Just heard back from the rad Onco doc in HK. Here's what he had to say:

"The apexes of both lungs will be at the level of the collar bones. It is quite common for fibrosis to result from radiation treatment but it will not cause any dysfunction of your lung. So don't worry about it and just ignore it. There is no need to repeat the CXR. One should only be concerned when you feel shortness of breathe"

Since the appointment is already made, insurance is paying for it, and I don't have to get poked with a needle I'll go ahead and have the CRX done anyway just to be on the safe side.

Another one of those lovely side effects that no one tells you about.

Good news Bob,

Doesn't take much to send us in a panic mode. We are lucky to have this resource to calm us down.

Best Wishes, See you in Vegas!!!

Danny Boy

Bob,

I am somewhat relieved to hear your news. I have been developing a series of fibroid knots along my chest just under the collarbone and was wondering if should concern me. I get them sometimes on my legs and have all my adult years. I went ahead and had a chest xray yesterday and scheduling a PET scan as we talk. I realize when I have shortness of breath it is because I am not breathing from the tension!

Yep, the gift that keeps on giving. I am glad to hear you shouldn't worry. Wouldn't that be nice if we could just turn it off when they say that?

I told the ENT yesterday that it feels like the night before an exam I am preparing to go before the Life or Death Tribunal..hoping for the thumbs up. I asked him if it would ever be different and he said emphatically NOPE. He then told me the good news is that after my next visit he will move them out a couple of weeks so my anxiety won't happen quite as often.

Ed

Thank you all for your candor. I am just finishing radiation of the mouth and neck and was never told of the fibrous possibilities. I know that everyone is different, and the doctors hesitate to tell you something will "probably" happen; but, it is sure nice to know before I go into tension/hyperventilating/panic mode.

David

Bob, I had the same thing and the pet scan came back negative, but my onc wasn't convinced and had me get a left lung resection. It came back negative. The nodule was in my left lung upper apex. The reason they preformed the surgery was because of SCC in my left supraclavicular lymph nodes and he suspected this to be the primary. I had radiation to that side and the thought afterward was this caused the nodule. Hoping thats the same for you.

Thanks guys..

I'm curious to see the x-rays for myself, not that I know how to read x-rays, probably look at it upside down or something, but I'm the type that want's to see for myself.

During the physical they had me blow into a device that measures the volume of air I can move, and had to do it about 3-4 times before they were satisfied. And last time I tried any excersize I felt like I was in the worse shape ever. I guess now I kind of know why. Plus haven't been doign a lot of heavy lifting, etc, my left shoulder's gone arthritic (I guess) from who knows what.

We'll do the other x-rays today and see whats up.

Bob

Bob, when talking about blowing into a device to test the lung function at the physical, I had the same experience as you that I had to blow it several times before the nurse said OK. It was like this in the last year check up and the same happened this year. The doctor said I lacked exercise but when I told him I swim every day for 30 minutes, he said that maybe I didn't how to blow!! So the report said 'mild restriction'. Since my x-ray reports for both years were fine and clear, I didn't bother. At this stage, our lives are full of alarms, true or false. Whether you are ready to take them, they are here. Best of luck to you Bob and I trust it is another false alarm, just like what I went through in July.

Karen.