Multiple Ground Glass Lung Nodules

Posted by hercules @hercules, Sep 24 8:33am

Hello all, I just had my first LDCT lung scan, age 52, former smoker. Quit 15 years ago age 37. The findings were shocking to me.
Nodule 1 - upper left lobe 7mm round, ground glass density, indistinct margin
Nodule 2 - middle right lobe 5-6mm round, part solid, indistinct margin
Nodule 3 - middle right lobe 4-5mm round, ground glass density, indistinct margin
Nodule 4 - lower left lobe 5-6mm round, ground glass density, indistinct margin.
According to the LUNGRADS category they list these as category 2 nodules and recommend follow up CT scan at 12 months. I feel like that is a long time to wait. I understand that many people have nodules and some just go away but I guess I am concerned because if this were an inflammatory process for me it would indicate recent illness. I have not been sick or had any cough or congestion in a very very long time. Does anyone have any experience with ground glass nodules that appeared suddenly and went away or stayed stable over a long time? Also, I had a CT scan for calcium scoring on my heart 2 years ago and on that report it clearly says NO SUSPICIOUS PULMONARY NODULES. So I wonder are these new and developed to this size already in 2 years? Or could it be perhaps they were missed or not visualized because it was a heart scan? So many questions and I do have an appointment with a pulmonologist on November 1st who can hopefully look at both of these scans and help me figure out what may be going on but I would really love to hear from as many of you as possible regarding lung nodules, ground glass nodules, and your experiences with them. I think it would help me feel not so alone and maybe help me to understand this a little better in my own mind until I can get more information from the pulmonologist. Thank you all!

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@irene5

@hercules I have learned in my 75 years on this earth that what is safe one year may not be safe the next. Lung cancer runs like water in my family so I am checked continually as I have serious infectious lung diseases and too many nodules to keep track of at this point. It is highly possible you picked up some lovely bacteria in the soil or from the organic fertilizer while gardening. Organic doesn’t necessary mean healthy. It just means free of certain things as far as the company is aware. We had a beloved black lab - not even 18 months old who drank run off water from fertilizer my husband used and got fibrosarcoma and died. We never pursued it, but the vet says most likely it was from that. That fertilizer company has had lawsuits. Other than seeing an ID doctor I suggest you wear an N95 mask or similar while gardening. Sometimes the only way to figure out definitively what is down there is with a biopsy. Aspergillosis was djscovered with mine. Another tidbit I have learned is you know your body - listen to it and its infinite wisdom! And advocate for yourself!! Blessings, irene5

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Hi again Irene, I am so glad you pointed out this possibility to me because due to my smoking history and family history (dad had lung cancer) this is the first and only thing I considered as to why I have nodules seemingly out of the blue. The gardening is a new hobby for me, I am not an outdoorsy person in the least and working in the dirt and with fertilizer and some other chemical things I've been putting on my flowers, etc to keep deer from eating them is a brand new thing that I have never done before. I'm not sure what "level" of exposure I've had because I only did the fertilizer application one time but it was two big bags of it and as I said previously, the breathing in of that fine dust coupled with the horrible smell was enough to stop me from continuing and coming inside to grab an N95 mask to finish the job. Even with the mask however, I could still smell whatever it was made of so how much of the particulate matter got through and into my lungs, who knows?? I don't feel bad, no cough or congestion or anything that would indicate I have anything infectious going on in there, but I looked back on my calendar and I did the fertilizer application exactly one month ago today. Had the scan 5 days ago. I guess time will tell what these things are, I am hoping they will just go away by the time I have my follow up. I will post what becomes of it regardless. I am sorry that you lost a pet from exposure to toxic chemicals. That is an awful loss and I know that more needs to be done to keep companies that produce these "safe" toxins in check! Take care

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@hercules

Hi again Irene, I am so glad you pointed out this possibility to me because due to my smoking history and family history (dad had lung cancer) this is the first and only thing I considered as to why I have nodules seemingly out of the blue. The gardening is a new hobby for me, I am not an outdoorsy person in the least and working in the dirt and with fertilizer and some other chemical things I've been putting on my flowers, etc to keep deer from eating them is a brand new thing that I have never done before. I'm not sure what "level" of exposure I've had because I only did the fertilizer application one time but it was two big bags of it and as I said previously, the breathing in of that fine dust coupled with the horrible smell was enough to stop me from continuing and coming inside to grab an N95 mask to finish the job. Even with the mask however, I could still smell whatever it was made of so how much of the particulate matter got through and into my lungs, who knows?? I don't feel bad, no cough or congestion or anything that would indicate I have anything infectious going on in there, but I looked back on my calendar and I did the fertilizer application exactly one month ago today. Had the scan 5 days ago. I guess time will tell what these things are, I am hoping they will just go away by the time I have my follow up. I will post what becomes of it regardless. I am sorry that you lost a pet from exposure to toxic chemicals. That is an awful loss and I know that more needs to be done to keep companies that produce these "safe" toxins in check! Take care

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Thank you. So I would definitely see an ID doctor. I’m no doctor but I’d say if I had to guess you picked up something. I did not have a cough when I had MAC or aspergillosis. Wishing you well . P.s. My husband uses grated Irish Spring soap to keep deer away. Irene

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@irene5

Thank you. So I would definitely see an ID doctor. I’m no doctor but I’d say if I had to guess you picked up something. I did not have a cough when I had MAC or aspergillosis. Wishing you well . P.s. My husband uses grated Irish Spring soap to keep deer away. Irene

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I've heard of the Irish Spring soap trick recently, I think I may have to try it since the deer don't seem very bothered by the toxic spray and granules 🙂 I have looked up some infectious diseases doctors in town to put on my radar now. Its also helpful to know that you did not have a cough as a symptom accompanying your MAC or aspergillosis illness. I hope you are all better now. Wishing you good health!

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@hercules

I've heard of the Irish Spring soap trick recently, I think I may have to try it since the deer don't seem very bothered by the toxic spray and granules 🙂 I have looked up some infectious diseases doctors in town to put on my radar now. Its also helpful to know that you did not have a cough as a symptom accompanying your MAC or aspergillosis illness. I hope you are all better now. Wishing you good health!

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Thank you!! Remember always to advocate for yourself!

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