I'm soon to get a CT scan screening for lung cancer

[HereSince1628]

What should I know to be positioned to understand what they find?

The docs saw this on x-rays taken for my heart surgery about three months ago. Now that I'm more or less rehabilitated from that, they've shown me before and after x-rays from the bypass surgery that show a very visible mass dorsal and lateral on my right lung.

[shrike]

1. Any word yet?

Wish I had info to give you.

I'd log on to the American Cancer Society, there are also other links where you can get info.

Best of luck.

[HereSince1628]

2. No, I'm hoping that's a good thing re cancer...

I did the CT scan midweek. I've got a consult appointment next week. I have no idea how quickly communication takes place about cancer.

When I saw the original x-ray, the spot was large, but very opaque. I thought maybe a granuloma around some fungus that's become calcified. When I was working, I was a parasitologist and I spent a lot of time around sick animals and 'droppings.' I'd not be surprised at all if it was histoplasma, coccidiomycosis, or even TB, although it looks big to be TB.

[shrike]

3. Here's my experience

My routine mammogram showed something suspicious. Our hospital gives same-day results, so a nurse-prac came in to talk to me as I waited for results. They scheduled an ultrasound the next day. I had a core biopsy on Monday, three days later. The radiologist called me with results Tuesday.
I'm not saying your diagnosis isn't moving at a slower pace. Take it for what it's worth.

[HereSince1628]

4. Update: its a granuloma that's calcifying!

So just some old fungus that did it's thing and got walled off by immune cells that are making it into a fossil.

[shrike]

5. Great to hear

The waiting is the worst part, isn't it? All the scenarios your mind comes up with in the interim . . .

[HereSince1628]

6. Yes waiting is awful particularly when

Since Nov 1st I've been dx'd with diabetes, coronary artery disease (3x bypass to fix that), and major depressive disorder

This is the first time I went to a diagnostic test and didn't get bad news. There is that colonoscopy in a couple weeks that is looming with another wait.

[shrike]

7. Colonoscopy is a piece of cake after cancer screening.

I've had both. Worst thing about it is Prep Day, the day before.

In my case, they found one, non-cancerous polyp, and I'm at higher-than-normal risk due to family history. Even if they do find something colon cancer is highly treatable if they catch it early.

[HereSince1628]

8. If they catch it early...

you didn't realize that prior to Late Oct 2009 I hadn't been to a clinic in 30 years.
Consequently, all he bad news came all at once, and frankly, I'm expecting more.

[shrike]

9. The last time I was hospitalized, a nurse gave me some good advice

I had had tissue expanders placed during mastectomy surgery. The left side of the chest became infected, and I was sure the tissue expander would have to be removed. She said to me, "Nine times out of ten, the worst case scenario never happens." So in other words, don't place on yourself stress and worry for something that might not happen.
As it turned out, the IV antibiotics worked, and she said to me, "See??", when I was scheduled to go home.
So you've had bad shit coming down, but that doesn't mean it'll be bad shit forever.
All the best to you.