They found a mass: How do you cope with anxiety and all the tests etc?

thank you for the info on nurse practitioner. I will be glad to see Monday come and get the pet scan then Thursday I have the mri, the 3rd I am back to hemo doctor to get results . One thing I have learned in to reading this post and other people's views are it doesn't make it any better to get nervous about something you know nothing about until the time comes and I know the results and the options I have I am going to enjoy my life and try to make the negative thoughts positive ones and thank god I am still here. big hugs to all for being so caring.

Always hated waiting, so learned not to dwell on it. At this point its counterproductive. No, I didn’t seek a 2nd opinion.. I was fortunate enough to get the same oncologist that my wife has and we have full confidence in him, he’s our primary. He referred me to a thoracic surgeon and she verified the oncologists diagnosis, plus it was to advanced for surgery. We have a unusual situation, being snowbirds, we have and get treatments by two separate Drs with opposing philosophies. I have chronic fluid on my left lung and the winter Dr wants me to see a thoracic surgeon down here for treatment. We see them next Tue, 23rd, for a consult. Am a little apprehensive about that and will not consent to any treatment unless first approved by our primary oncologist and thoracic surgeon. It’s necessary you remain proactive with your own care Loula and not afraid to question your Dr... Dancing with the oldies, Eh!! That sounds like fun, keep it up. Hang in there, your doing fine, ditto on the prayers and please keep us posted..

said I have non-small cell lung cancer squamous cell T4N2, said I need to have a pet scan done and a mri of the brain next week then see the hemo doctor after and they will then tell me the stage of cancer and the treatment. I don't quit understand why I am talking to a hemo doctor rather than the pulmonary doctor. had to call the pulmonary doctor office to find out if it is a 3 cm mass (that is what they told me at first) but the lady at the hemo place said no she thinks it is 4 but once I have these tests done they will know for sure, that does not make sense. they should know what size the mass is now. I would think the pulmonary doctor should of told me these results . this lady is a nurse practitioner at the hematologist office is she qualified to tell me this?not the news I was wanting but get these tests done and know what I am facing sure hope it hasn't spread to the brain or other places but we will find out.

Always hated waiting, so learned not to dwell on it. At this point its counterproductive. No, I didn’t seek a 2nd opinion.. I was fortunate enough to get the same oncologist that my wife has and we have full confidence in him, he’s our primary. He referred me to a thoracic surgeon and she verified the oncologists diagnosis, plus it was to advanced for surgery. We have a unusual situation, being snowbirds, we have and get treatments by two separate Drs with opposing philosophies. I have chronic fluid on my left lung and the winter Dr wants me to see a thoracic surgeon down here for treatment. We see them next Tue, 23rd, for a consult. Am a little apprehensive about that and will not consent to any treatment unless first approved by our primary oncologist and thoracic surgeon. It’s necessary you remain proactive with your own care Loula and not afraid to question your Dr... Dancing with the oldies, Eh!! That sounds like fun, keep it up. Hang in there, your doing fine, ditto on the prayers and please keep us posted..

Had the appt with a thoracic surgeon today. He was very open, honest and answered all of our questions. Long story short, he did not recommend pleurodesis because of the amount of fluid still on the lung after having the pleurx catheter in place since Dec 2019. He recommended the Mayo Clinic and consulting my primary med team upon returning to our home state. Nor did he recommend lung surgery because, in his words, you have beat the odds already, are doing great, so why take a chance of not getting off the operating table alive. Keep doing what you are doing!!! We were pleased with the consult.

Hello I had the pet scan it went very well on Thursday I have the mri then on the 3rd of March I will go and talk to the Hemo. doctor and find out what stage and if it has spread or in the brain, keeping in the fear not stage that everything is going to come back that it has not spread. How are you what is going on that you didn't feel well and hope you are doing better big hugs keep well you are always in my prayers.

@dutchw- Good morning. WOW, this is great for you. In essence, he's saying "why mess with what's working for you right now?" Travel safely and take care! Please keep coming back to Connect to stay in touch!

Always hated waiting, so learned not to dwell on it. At this point its counterproductive. No, I didn’t seek a 2nd opinion.. I was fortunate enough to get the same oncologist that my wife has and we have full confidence in him, he’s our primary. He referred me to a thoracic surgeon and she verified the oncologists diagnosis, plus it was to advanced for surgery. We have a unusual situation, being snowbirds, we have and get treatments by two separate Drs with opposing philosophies. I have chronic fluid on my left lung and the winter Dr wants me to see a thoracic surgeon down here for treatment. We see them next Tue, 23rd, for a consult. Am a little apprehensive about that and will not consent to any treatment unless first approved by our primary oncologist and thoracic surgeon. It’s necessary you remain proactive with your own care Loula and not afraid to question your Dr... Dancing with the oldies, Eh!! That sounds like fun, keep it up. Hang in there, your doing fine, ditto on the prayers and please keep us posted..