Got to a wonderful pulmonologist who took me within 3 days of my PET scan results since I've a penny size mass in my lung. I was surprised that it is in the scar tissue where my breast cancer radiation occurred almost 20 years ago. The doctor told me it looks like to to her to be from radiation and that if possible, the mass should be removed ASAP after a guided needle biopsy. That worries me pain wise, but she said the mass is not deep and it might be easier?

The source is not from my breast cancer. It's a separate, new cancer, not metatases. I know nothing yet about other characteristics which are beyond my knowledge base so far in this area of cancer. The doctor told me the scar tissue is as tough as an orange peel which makes cutting through it tricky. I'm scheduled with a thoracic surgeon for a stage 1, maybe a 2 malignancy. I have "absolute hope" she said, so I should not get discouraged, and she is there for support. Still hard though.

What is odd to me is that it was a dermatologist who told me that I ought to watch out for lung cancer due to the breast radiation. I thought that was old school because when I got radiation in 2006, it was said that newer methods should minimize that fallout. So I started doing low dose x-ray scans and with my smoking history, too.

Moving forward, but unanswered questions remain for a surgeon soon on what path I go. Thoracic surgeon is said to be good, trained at MD Anderson. My pulmonologist was the most caring doctor I have ever met and I am so grateful. She even got me on board with an ocologist who deals with lung patients.

Anxiety level still high, but I am walking, meditating, and trying to stay engaged in my hobbies to reduce it.

Thank you for listening. Glad for the recommendation by other members who told me how to push through for treatment and what came first, because my primary physician of all people, was dragging her feet on ordering a PET scan per radiologist's suggestion, and getting records sent to a pulmonologist. This primary said she has never dealt with a patient with lung cancer before, so I will chalk the whole frustrating experience up to inexperience. When I get through this storm, I will look for another primary someday. Thank you to members who gave me advice. It really helped. So glad for the connection.
Burdyblue