Hi,
A pre-op chest xray indicated an abnormality in the lung so we followed up w/a CT scan. The first part of the report should be manageable, the second part of the report makes me a bit uncomfortable. The findings are as follow: Patchy nodular oopacity in the right middle lobe w/out broncial obstruction has a morphology suggestive of an infectious etiology, more likely bacterial than mycobacterial. This opacity is not suggestive of a malignancy. That gave me a sigh of relief. But then it continues: new subpleural micronodule in the right middle lobe. New 3-4 mm nodule in the left lower lobe. This doesn't make me too comfortable.

Impression: New small indeterminite pulmonary nodules described above. Follow-up CT scan in 6 months is suggested to exclude an active process. Active process? I don't like the sound of that, and I'm so not agreeable to waiting 6 months for another scan. Fortunately neither is the oncologist, he said 2-3 months. However, seeing how rapidly things progressed the last time when I was told it wasn't cancer...and then was told it's only "superficial" (fortunately we've got better doctors now), I dunno. I suggested a bronchoscopy, but evidently the tumor board doesn't think it's necessary. I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to go in there, get some tissue and biopsy it. I love the doctors we've been working with, but I'm also wondering if there's something else we should be doing as opposed to waiting 8-12 weeks for another scan. My thought process is that a lot can happen in that period of time. Perhaps I'm worrying unnecessarily, but perhaps there's something we can do now to get some definitive answers. I see no reason to give anything potentially bad an opportunity to get worse. I'm thinking of talking to another doc at a different hospital just to get another slant on things. I almost feel like a traitor, but I'm not so sure I'm comfortable waiting around 6-8 weeks. An infection should get cleared up w/antibiotics, but nodules, I believe, are potentially bad things that don't respond to antibiotics. Anyone have any thoughts on my dilemma or my interpretation of things?
Thanks,
Dave

David, I am sorry to see you go thru the anxiety of waiting, I've recently been thru the samething. To make a long story short it ended up being nothing with my follow-up xray.They used words like (Opacity),(Granuloma) and (Nodules) in both my reports. Scary-----YES, but more often than not it is good news. Thoughts with you.
Mark D.

Dave,

I think if you are that concerned, get a 2nd opinion. This way you can relax, you do not need this type of anxiety. Are you going to a cancer clinic?

I wish you well, and hope things turn out ok.
Take care,
Diane

I absolutely agree. Don't wait, run don't walk. This is your life, and you need to get on the bull and ride. My husband is of the ilk that he should stick with whatever the doctor says. He often forgets not everyone is committed to quality, you are not being a traitor, except to yourself if you don't follow your own inclinations.