Ground Glass - Scared

Agree with your PCP. I don't think it's a thing to worry about however it sounds awful I know. I have also had that mentioned in my xrays/ct scans when I have had respiratory issues like a bad cough with congestion in the past. Nothing ever came of it.

How similar will your results? I also have a good friend who knows a top Encologist and he said you don’t need to worry at all. I am not sure what to believe. I haven’t gone anything done in the last two days

What is a ground glass opacity? Those docs sure know how to scare a person! This doesn't mean there is glass, or anything else sharp or abrasive in your lungs. On an x-ray or CT, it is an area in the lung where the tissue isn't clearly visible due to what my pcp calls a "debris field." Typically, in an otherwise healthy individual with a recent history of a lung infection, it is truly that - the remains of fluid, mucus and infection cells that has not completely cleared.

Why a six-month follow-up? The body takes several months to eliminate all the residue - some is coughed out but you may not even notice it, it is part of your typical daily breathing cycle. The rest is absorbed into the bloodstream and eliminated through body waste. A small residue may remain as scar tissue, depending n the severity of the infection.

What is the takeaway? Your docs are right - if you are otherwise healthy, this is nothing to worry about. It is just a temporary remnant of your lung infection.

What can you do? Repeated infections can lead to lung diseases later in life. You know you have sensitive lungs, so you need to protect them from further assaults. Remember those N-95 masks on the shelf since Covid subsided? Use them! When there are Air Quality alerts due to the smoke. When you are doing dusty tasks. When you are cleaning rain gutters or other wise dealing with possible mold. When you are sawing or sanding. When your are raking, blowing leaves and debris, even mowing... Yes, they are hot and annoying (but you can use the ones with a valve to make it easier to breathe.)

So now, relax, take a deep breath, mark 6 months on your calendar for the followup, and get on with your life. Stay away from Dr. Google, too.
Come on back if you have more questions.
Sue

It would last two weeks later? As I stated earlier I was shocked on 6/15 my cardiologist said no bronchitis. I lost my voice etc.

I just got a message from my doctor saying it’s mostly likely from an infection. In addition, I live in the nyc metro area so my upper respiratory cold hit around or after I can remember the wild fires were around.

She said we can follow up 6-12 months or sooner if you like.. she wrote a really nice message

Also feel some chest tightness today…. I am wondering if it has something to do with 2 hours of sleep last two days and not eating much last few days. My heart is working overtime with anxiety.

Plus I am drinking zero liquids.. just non stop worrying

I just got a message from the hospital I had the CT scan. It said I am automatically enrolled in the incidental lung nodule program. I am freaking out now.

June was yesterday. Your lungs probably need more time to heal. I shared my story here a couple years ago. Summary: Horrible respiratory event during Covid lockdowns, that probably was severe Covid. Finally got to an outstanding pulmonary group in Atlanta and they were very educational. What I learned: It can take your lungs a LONG time to heal. Over 50% of the patients they see have nodules (they are very common). 95% of nodules are benign and remain stable, or go away after a respiratory event. I had a few “micro nodules” that the team was not concerned about. Also, seems like your number of Pack-Years is likely very low, lung cancer unlikely.

Thank you for writing. As stated before I had some sort of cold (2.5 - 3 weeks ago) brown mucus and green (zero fever) with cough. Still had a cough till 6/17; however, my Cardiologist saw nothing through the stethoscope.
I also live in NJ and was also working outside one full day without a mask with the wildfires. I was 100% having an issue breathing that day while outside.

Packs meaning cuffs??? I mean a lot I guess… Only smoked when I drank but in my 20s it was a lot. Maybe a pack or a little more a week. Yes I stopped around 14 years ago. Note: I had a bad dry cough (more like throat clearing) and had to see a pulmonologist who checked it out saw everything like 11 years ago… said it was GERD - Post Nasal Drip - no issues with Lungs… it was more like throat cleaning that I eventually just stopped it. At that point I got a upper endoscopy (nada) about 7 years ago and I guess I just ended the throat clearing (became mental)

I agree with Sue/Mentor. REMEMBER THOSE N95 MASKS????
Construction people wear N95 masks for certain types of jobs...that is how I got my first ones when Covid started-from someone in construction business. And I can always buy them now at a store that sells construction stuff. So, I guess it is not so ""sissy" to wear an N95 mask if construction workers do.
With the poor air quality today as well as anyone doing any kind of work with dust etc., it is wise to wear a mask.

Update - Spoke with my Pulmonologist a few weeks ago regarding this issue. A Chest scan is scheduled for next week.

Originally I had a Calcium Score Test (measures cardiac risk) - CT for Heart. This test focuses on the heart, so it only has 30% - -35% of the lungs. Sure it picks up the entire lungs, but only that part is in focus.

What did the Doctor say? She took a look at the image / as stated scheduled a follow up CT. Asked her about cancer she said there is nothing in this scan that would make her think this is Cancer. She said that the formation etc. usually follows an infection or some sort of thing like that. Again, I was sick 1.5 weeks prior to the exam (green / brown mucus for days) and still had a dry cough 6 days prior to the CT scan.

She also stated that I fall under the low risk. What exactly is low risk? What % are we talking. She also said since I was asking so many questions that if for some reason it was a cancer it would be easily removed.

All the doctors etc, so GGO are for the most part non cancerous. They are really not a concern especially mine; however, if I go on other forums so many people were diagnosed with GGO's that were cancerous. Note: I did not find any that had only patchy GGO which I was told is a common formation of a past infection.

I am just having a tough time at this point.

@scareddad46, It is not unusual to feel scared and overwhelmed in this type of situation. The waiting is often difficult. I'm glad that your doctor is following up with a CT next week, which shows that she is taking this seriously. I would also take into account that she notes that you are low-risk for this to be cancerous. Of course, low-risk doesn't mean no-risk, and honestly sometimes no-risk people get cancer too. The only way to know more is to start with the scan next week.
Take a deep breath and try to do some things that may help take your mind off of it. Think of things that you enjoy and may be a distraction; go for a walk in nature, go to a movie, connect with a friend. Try to focus on what you know today, IE. there is something on the initial scan that needs follow up, but we don't know that it's cancer. Try to keep your mind from going to the worst-case scenario. Please keep us posted.