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growing nodule and wait to see pulmonologist

Lung Health | Last Active: May 26, 2023 | Replies (11)
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@happydappy

Thanks for the reply. I have not been treated or DXd with sarcoidosis. I took rituxan for rheumatoid arthritis. But RA can also have lung involvement. They have my records and images in the chart but I only spoke with a scheduler in the Pulmonology Dept who had a referral from my primary care doc. The scheduler is not qualified to triage cases and they just look for next available. Seems like if the nodules are growing, it's an infection, or a malignancy, I shouldn't wait 2 months to get in. I might give them a call but not sure who to talk to.

I have plenty of distractions with work and other things.

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Replies to "Thanks for the reply. I have not been treated or DXd with sarcoidosis. I took rituxan..."
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 25, 2023

If you call back, explain that you feel the need for further triage. I'm not sure of the structure at Duke, but most clinics have a triage person or team in each specialty department - for just such situations as this.
Sue

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2cents | @2cents | May 25, 2023

During a LC general screening, a 7mm nodule was found in the RLL. Instructions were to have the CT repeated within a year. The CT done 9 months later, showed it was fast-growing, and spiculated. Then they did a biopsy, and other screening tests. Within the next two weeks I'd had all the other tests done. It was 7 months before the follow-up CT confirmed cancer, but they quickly scheduled the other tests, and within two weeks I was scheduled for a VATS resection which removed it all, and showed clear margins. At five years out no recurrence.
Worse experience I've ever had with anxiety.

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AZ | @equanimous | May 26, 2023

At the Veteran's Administration, where I worked for many years, they have a Patient Advocate dept. Their job is to advocate for Veteran's whose needs were not being met. You might consider contacting your provider's patient advocate or, if there isn't one, call the customer service rep. Present your concerns and convey that waiting is presenting undue stress and anxiety. Enlist their help. It is certainly worth a try.

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