Lung nodules & scared!

@pattymac
I am a nine year lung cancer survivor who was shockingly diagnosed with a 3cm tumor and rushed into life saving surgery.
I was SCARD whenlater I was told I had a 7cm nodule in my remaining right side lung. It was watched by my thorasic surgeon
for about 5 years and if passed through...which as I understand nodules MAY do.
Please, consider seeking a second opinion and make an appointment with a wise pulmonologist. Going to a larger clinic like Mayo
is the best idea, where last year I thought I heard they treated over 8,000 cases of lung cancer alone. Knowing you have that expert
eye will ease your fears.
I'm so happy you are on CONNECT! Let's stay connected. I will gladly follow you.
Hugs,
Linda

Hello @pattymac,

I can only imagine how worried you must feel, but we're so glad that you've returned to Connect.

Paratracheal lymph nodes are groups of lymph nodes that run along the sides of the trachea (windpipe) in the neck.
Here is some information about lung nodules; according to this article by Mayo Clinic "most lung nodules are noncancerous (benign)." Read more here:
http://mayocl.in/2hf0oJm
I'd like to introduce you to mentor, @katemn, and @bruce668, @tdrell, @philomena, @justjanet, @heathert, @DiannaTV, @ginak, @ryman, @1959, @kwilbur, @janovr, @dianeray, @barbjh, @marshaanddan, and I'm sure they will join in to share their insights.

You may also wish to view this discussion on Connect: Lung nodules discovered on X-ray, http://mayocl.in/2n46XTq

@pattymac, what symptoms led to having a CT scan done? Did your doctor explain whether the paratracheal lymph nodes were enlarged or swollen?

Pattymac
My Ct scan was a mess Dec 2015! Nodules, a cavity that was 6 cm, lots of ground glass and other stuff. It LOOKED like infection so I just had to wait.....6 months later after it got slightly worse, they gave me a bronchoscopy and biopsy and discovered it was MAC. I was so nervous too, and had a very rough 6 months filled w sleepless nights and feeling very scared. Was still nervous after diagnosis but it was better.

Now I'm 8 months into MAC drugs and I'm feeling much better emotionally, although I still am a worrier. I think this website helps. When our health is uncertain it's scary. Try to do some things to relax. For me, that was keeping busy and balancing that with deep breathing and trying to get some exercise even though you don't always feel like it.
Please do make an appointment with a good pulmonary doctor. It sounds a lot like mine did and that's scary, but also they told me it looked "infectious"- there are antibiotics for infections and things they can do for you after you know what's going on. Stay with the Forum and know most of us here have felt numb and scared too....you'll be ok!!

Kay S

I had lung nodules about 6 or so years ago. They were removed. I was told it was sarcoidosis. They said there were a few very tiny cancer cells but the nodules were completely removed. I had X-rays for awhile and have one nodule but they have decided it is no concern. Nothing more was said about the sarcoidosis. I know how scared I was when I was told I needed a biopsy. I know it is hard but try not to think the worst. Good thoughts and wishes go with you.

I don't think my insurance will pay for out of state and I wish I could go to mayo. I worked and raised four great kids, sadly divorced but went back to college and graduate in May then on to another school to a graduate program hopefully. So stress of this is bad. Thank you

The Ct in December was a trip to ER thinking I had another PE and I didn't which was good. Then the 2nd Ct was a trip to urgent care which was bc I thought my blood pressure was very low and of course I was out of town so I had to go to an urgent care which turned into being sent to the ER next door which led to blood work. That showed my D-dimer was high( I told ER doc it's always false/positive), but he wouldn't release me without a Ct to check and I was afraid if I left that my insurance wouldn't cover AMA so 6 hours later the Dr told me I had a nodule which I knew but thought I had more than what he told me.With all the past CTs I've had due to PEs a couple times, I was told I had 1 nodule that was calcified and had never changed? I'm so confused! Also this Pulmonologist here in Indiana told me that there was ground glass? I have the December radiology report but don't understand what it means

Thank you and I can't even get homework done bc I'm just a mess!What is MAC?

Hi Kay: So glad you are on Connect! I completely agree with your words of wisdom.
I live by my paced breathing. This breathing practice has empowered my mind and
spirit and helped heal my body. I tell those crazy nodules to "be gone" and I also tell
my mind and body to "Stay Cancer Free" all while I'm in my deepest based breathing
frame of mind. I think "Blow lung disease away"...it's bee 9 years and 2 months. But,
whose counting? Ha
You deserve a big cyber hug
Linda

@pattymac, what is your first name .. Patty? Makes it so much more personal. I really know zero about "told me I had 1 nodule in my right upper lobe that was 8mm and subpleural and a tiny subleural nodule in my left lower lone and small scattered lymph nodes throughout the paratracheal region? " .. so I will not even begin to try to help you in that area .. but I do have MAC .. and I BEG of you NOT to "put the cart before the horse"!! You ALREADY have WAY enough on your plate to deal with before you even THINK about if you MIGHT have MAC .. Leprosy .. Prostate Cancer (I know .. you are female!) .. but THAT is my point! You do NOT need to worry about ANYTHING that is NOT on your plate RIGHT now! You have plenty to deal with at this very moment.

I SHARE @kaystrand, Kay's advice to find a GOOD pulmonologist in your are soon! In life you will find NO one will care about your body as much as YOU do .. YOU must take care of your body .. so IT can take care of YOU for the rest of your lifetime! Just as you took such good care of your children .. NOW take GOOD care of yourself!

How do you do find a GOOD Pulmonologist? FIRST gather together ALL your medical records so NONE have to be duplicated .. CT scans .. doctor notes etc: From my File Cabinet here is how I would do it .. how some of this helps you .. sending you a big hug in this tough time! Katherine

DOCTOR-FINDING GOOD PULMONOLOGIST
If was sitting in your shoes here is what I would do.
1. Google: PULMONOLOGISTS in your area
2. Google each doctor .. see where they went to school .. my opinion .. the better school they went to .. the smarter they probably are
3. look for doctors photos (can be years old) that appear young enough to have newer knowledge but old enough to have good experience
4. when you find that doctor.. GET an appointment .. THAT one will know how to treat you!

Mycobacterium Avium Complex. Infection