So sorry to hear you have to go through this. It sounds like the doctors are on the right track with ordering a PET scan, the PET scan is looking for cancer. That's not saying that that's what you have but they have to look and make sure whether it is or not! It could be something completely separate from that little lump that you're feeling, but it could be related. Keep in mind a CT report is going to mention anything that it sees. Even if it's something that's irrelevant or benign. The partial lung collapse must be somewhat minor for you not to be short and breath or have been in pain lately, however that bruised feeling was probably you feeling something was going on. It's amazing what our bodies will do.

I can tell you the PET scan is going to tell them an awful lot. It will tell if that's more than likely an infection or if they believe it's cancer. The biopsy will confirm anything the CT scan or PET scan shows. It sounds like is a small nodule? So hopefully it is contained to just that. And if it is that's why they would use radiation or chemo on it. My stepmom had a cancerous nodule and they performed six five minute radiation sessions. It was gone after that!

All these things take time unfortunately. Try not to panic, try not to think negatively even though that is extremely hard to do. Looking things up online might just drive you insane and scare you! I know from my own experience. In January I went in to the emergency room because I was coughing a blood. The CT scan at the hospital showed a very large mass on my right on lung which was over 3 in, the PET scan showed that it looked like cancer because it lit up like a Christmas tree but the PET scan report said that the uptake of the dye they use was more in line with an infection. The biopsy was the last thing they did and it confirmed that I had a
Lung infection called MAC but there was a long time where they thought it was cancer, almost every doctor thought that! So until you get all the results back, just take some breaths and remember there's a lot of things this could be!

You said you smoked but quit, sometimes you get nodules in your lungs just from having infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Especially if you live in a cold climate. They need to figure out why your lung collapsed in that area. It sounds like they're doing all they can and trying to do it quickly which is good for you. The longer we have to wait to find answers the harder it is.

This is a great place for support. And to get people's opinions and to hear other stories. I mentioned that I went to the hospital in January and they found that infection, but they also found cancer of my intesine when they did the PET scan. Not only did I know I had cancer in my intestine then but I also thought I had lung cancer. It was a horrible time in my life. This site helped me a lot. I had the cancer removed and the tumor was actually pretty large-they took 17 lymph nodes and all were clear for cancer so I was very fortunate. An extremely grateful that the mass on my lung turned out to be a large cavity, an abscess from the Mac lung infection. And when I say cavity, yes I mean a huge hole in my lung!

Just hang tight. Ask anything on here. People will be glad to help and to give you their support and answer any questions you may have. There is some really great stories on here, there is people from all walks of life that have been through all sorts of sicknesses and illnesses on here and they're still here pulling through.

I wish you all the best! And once again I'm sorry you have to go this, just stay proactive and positive. You'll get through this!

Angela