Lung nodules & scared!

@pattymac, Is it coincidence? or providence? because my strength during my sickness was PS 23. - today's responsorial is PS 23.
I pray you find comfort.
Rosemary

Hello, I am sorry you are going through this right now. I am sending prayers your way. Please keep in mind that PET SCANS contain Glucose to help detect the cancerous cells BUT THAT IS SUGAR which feeds the cancer and makes it grow aggressively. PLEASE CONSIDER LIMITING THESE PET SCANS IF AT ALL! My sisters lung cancer spread VERY VERY AGGRESSIVELY in one week through her entire body, lymph nodes, liver, spine, intestines, abdomen, neck. SUGAR FEEDS CANCER!

I agree that reducing sugar in one's diet is healthy. However, according to this article from Mayo Clinic (http://mayocl.in/1AYw0Uw) sugar does not make cancer cells grow. Here is an excerpt:

- Myth: People with cancer shouldn't eat sugar, since it can cause cancer to grow faster.
- Fact: Sugar doesn't make cancer grow faster. All cells, including cancer cells, depend on blood sugar (glucose) for energy. But giving more sugar to cancer cells doesn't speed their growth. Likewise, depriving cancer cells of sugar doesn't slow their growth.

This misconception may be based in part on a misunderstanding of positron emission tomography (PET) scans, which use a small amount of radioactive tracer — typically a form of glucose. All tissues in your body absorb some of this tracer, but tissues that are using more energy — including cancer cells — absorb greater amounts. For this reason, some people have concluded that cancer cells grow faster on sugar. But this isn't true.

However, there is some evidence that consuming large amounts of sugar is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, including esophageal cancer. It can also lead to weight gain and increase the risk of obesity and diabetes, which may increase the risk of cancer.

Hello @pattimac, I am sorry you are going though all the uncertainty right now. The uncertainty coupled with the time on your hands while waiting can cause the stress to be awful. I can't begin to put myself in your shoes but I have over the years found myself stressed to the max over waiting for bad news on family members, my own health and the yucky corporate job. Through some of my volunteer work with the Minnesota Neuropathy Association, I ran across a chair yoga exercise that is very easy to do and may offer some minor relief or at a minimum keep your mind busy focusing on something else for a short time. I attached a "how to" PDF document that I am hoping will help.

It warms my heart to see Connect members responding to your questions and offering help. Keep thinking positive thoughts.

John

@pattymac, I was laying back in this discussion between you and several of our Connect monitors, because you were receiving a lot of good suggestions -- among others the nutritional input from @jms7, which reflect some good advice about a well-rounded nutrition program that works well when you are in charge of researching it and formulating it to your unique needs. My main thought about nutrition is simply that you shouldn't expect it to deliver a cure for your lung problems, but instead to give you greater confidence and calmness that you are doing the best you can do for the huge part of your body that is NOT suspected of being diseased.

The main reason I jumped in here is your flat statement that "there isn't a cure for lung cancer." That's an outdated notion that was still rooted in medical literature as late as 5 years ago and is often repeated by people who read a lot of medical research reports, too many of which are obsolete. The National Cancer Society says more than half of those diagnosed with lung cancer live at least five more years after an early diagnosis. Many of those survivors are being cured. How come? There have been major breakthroughs in recent months -- finding cancer cures using the newest technology for modifying genetic material to mark cancer cells for elimination. Several of these are being tested now in clinical trials on humans.

I also wanted you to know that you're within hailing distance of the best treatment instution in the country for pulmonology cases and 7 other specialties -- Mayo Clinic at Rochester, MN was selected for that recognition last year by US News and World Report, a traditional indicator of medical excellence. A call to them will get you important information on how to view your current situation and how to get your insurance to cover treatment provided by Mayo.

Call Mayo, @pattymac, not US News and World Report!

I don't think they take my insurance bc it's now Indiana Hip until I graduate in May and go to start my new career god willing.

Thank you John:)

I need to figure out which hospital would be best for second opinion? I also wonder if I need surgery does the Dr that is going to do Bronchoscope and does he do it while doing Bronchoscope?

Hello @pattymac: I'm so sorry to hear of the stress you are experiencing as a result of your test results. Sometimes we become our own worst enemy because we worry about things that haven't happened yet, don't we? I agree with much of what has been said so far. First, take a deep breath and don't jump to conclusions about your health or your future until you have spoken with the specialist which I believe will be Tuesday. Try to take care of yourself. Do those things that make you feel good, perhaps take a walk, meet a friend for lunch or see a movie. Don't assume any prognosis that hasn't yet been verified by a doctor and please don't believe that there is no cure for lung cancer. I have a friend at my church who had lung cancer treatment well over 5 years ago and is doing very well. It is good to follow a healthy diet, but try not to get pulled into a diet plan that will "cure what ails you" because it probably won't. Just eat healthy and keep your thoughts positive.I believe that positive thoughts can have a curative effect. I've had three occurrences of a rare type of cancer (carcinoid cancer, also known as neuroendocrine tumors) and I'm enjoying life and health and keeping positive regarding the future. Will you try to do the same? Best wishes and keep in touch with us. We are all pulling for you. Teresa