Does the radiation stop working after after last treatment?

Aka scared 2

@scared2, everything about a cancer diagnosis is concerning and can be scary. Did these "other doctors" say anything else besides noticing the nodules?

The good news is that nodules, by themselves, are no cause for concern. Some people have nodules all their lives without ever getting cancer. Nodules can be caused by falling out of a tree when you're a kid. It's only when they are seen to change over time that they become a problem. My youngest brother had lung nodules monitored every year for 8 years before his doctors got tired of looking at them. He still hasn't developed any form of cancer.

It's hard to tell what your first question is. I'm guessing you're asking if radiation is just as effective 90 days later as it is when it's administered. The answer is it can take days, weeks, or months after a cancer radiation treatment before you see a change in the cancer. That's according to my doctors at all 4 hospitals I've been to (I moved between initial diagnosis and metastasis, and I always get a second opinion about the treatment.) and the Mayo Clinic.

I had a hard wording what I was asking. Does the radiation stop working after 90 days after the last radiation treatment.? My husband's pt scan is due in 2 weeks to see if the radiation got it. Will the radiation keep working after pt scan is done?

They asked us if we knew about it, that it could be cancerous. At one time a lung specialist came in and talked to us. They said the modules appeared red. Of course we explained he does have lung cancer. And waiting for the pt scan.
I'm just really scared.

When I was first diagnosed in 2018, I don't know who the diagnosis hit harder, me or my wife. Probably my wife. As hard as my journey has been, I know it's very hard on her, and I know it's hard on you.

Have you changed doctors since your husband's first diagnosis? If so, I recommend that you ask your original doctor to send all their information to the new one. Your current doctor should have all of your husband's records and already know that he has lung cancer. I went through that when I moved from California to Alabama.

I know it's hard not to be scared. My lung cancer was originally diagnosed in 2018. In 2020, it metastasized to my brain. Now I consider scary speculation to be part of the journey. As recently as last August my doctor was concerned about a few lymph nodes that grew by 50% in 3 months. I got the PET scan and then my wife and I left for vacation before I knew the results. On vacation, I never told anyone about that test because as far as I'm concerned, until I'm told I have cancer again, I don't have cancer again. My follow up visit was the day after we returned from vacation and we learned I was right. False alarm.

I'm hoping for the same result with your husband. For now, he doesn't have a new cancer diagnosis, so that means there is no new cancer. Denial is an essential part of staying sane and still enjoying life after the initial diagnosis.

That's how I handle these situations. You'll have to find a way to stay positive through this journey. It might be my way, which I copied from Olivia Newton-John by the way, or you might find another way. But being positive is the best way to get through all this.

I wish you and your husband all the best.

What I have handling the "new" modules is like your doing in a way.
I figure why read nothing into something. I'm not a oncologist. Far as I know they could be alot things non cancerous. I'm already a total mess about my husband. When we see the oncologist I will definitely ask about it. As for being strong, I'm fine when we together(must be a form of denial) but if we're not together, I'm close to being a mess. I can't imagine life without him. I'm hoping that the pt scan is clean. Ty for your caring concern
Scared2

@scared2, how are you doing? Any update on your husband and next steps?

I'm doing scared and terrified both. Tomorrow he has the pt scan. Just as I was getting mildly excepting what could happen tomorrow. He tells me that it feels like he has a something in his throat. Not more bad news. I'm a wreck and my sleeping has gone from some to hardly any.

Scared 2

The radiation itself only remains for a few minutes but the effects of the radiation on damaged cells can last a while. My lower left lobe radiation ended in 2/2011. The affected lobe continued to consolidate and shrink for more than a year.

@scared2 , I hope the scan returns some conclusive results. A lump in the throat can mean many things, but we like to jump to the worst case scenario. It may not be worst case. Try to focus on what you know, and not the what-ifs. I know that’s not easy.
You need to take care of yourself too, try to get some rest, even if that means a nap. Let us know what info you gained from the scan.