Recently after returning from my sons wedding I had a very bad bout of bronchitis. My very alert PA had xrays done because of the sounds in my lung. The xrays showed what appeared to be a 1cm 'nodule'. A CT Scan showed it was not a shadow. Last week I had a Pulmonary function test and also a PT Scan of the nodule to see if a biopsy is possible. The location is in the lower right lung and in a difficult place. The good news is that it is small - that is also why it will be hard to biopsy. The nodule is small but has 'radiating spikes' which from what I understand is in most cases either Valley Fever. What do the 'radiating spikes' mean - growth?? I have tested negative for Valley Fever in three tests done over six months. My symptoms are very much like the fever because of all the sleeping I do when I am not working. I quit smoking last year on my 49th birthday but that only lasted 3 months. I was cutting down and on my way to quitting again when I was told that I will most likely have to have a portion of my lung removed. What really strikes me as odd is that the first thing I wanted to do when I found out was LIGHT ONE UP. I am still smoking (yes very stupid) but have cut down dramatically. I was never a heavy smoker - rarely even a half pack a day. I have heard all of the stages people go thru when diagnosed with cancer of any kind. For some reason I reacted so calmly that it scared me. I wonder if anyone else has experienced a weird sort of calm when being told. I had always imagined being traumatized and making a weeping fool of myself. I work in the 'healthcare' profession with the elderly and know that the best way to deal with anything is head on - I am a little frightened but also a tough lady. I know this is from smoking - the disease is NOT in my family and I am the only smoker. If my stupidity can stop even ONE person from smoking - then it will have been worth it.......... Strong but a little nervous in AZ

Remain Positive!

Thank you - I am rather surprised at how calmly I am taking this whole process. This is ONE disease that is not in my family, so I guess getting myself into a panic and freaking out isn't going to help. I work in an Assisted Living Facility, and I have to deal calmly with a lot of things although I never figured I could apply it to my own life. I was told, I accepted and asked, what do I need to do. My biggest problem is with the prospect of chemo. I say I won't have it, but at this point I may not have to - a few family members are very upset about my feeliings. It is still an uphill battle with quitting. I go for a day without and then smoke the next. Oh I will admit it from the top of my scarred and battered lungs...........I AM AN ADDICT...........why else would I still be smoking? I have tried every method but hypnosis and for some reason it is my albatross. Do I enjoy it - of course I am an addict. Do I KNOW I have to quit - YES. (trying to get in answers here in limited time - making smoking illegal will not stop it - look at alcohol - HOW many people a DAY die from alcohol related diseases and drunk driving...............okay - just wanted to thank you all for your kindness - keep up the good work and one day soon I too will be smoke free..........

Good luck. Be sure that your CT's are read by more than a P.A. (physician's assistant). clrncd15

Good advice - thank you. The PA is the one that started the process by having the chest xray and since it seems to be 1cm a very alert tech or doc caught it on the first - had a second, then a CT Scan. This was read by the tech and my PCP. He sent me to a Pulmonary specialist who confirmed what was already told me by the PCP. I am a woman who has had a lot of tragedy, but I am also a woman who has been blessed with so much in this life. Thank you for posting.

Dear STRONG BUT A LITTLE NERVOUS IN ARIZONA: I am so sorry to hear of your health problems. But, you know what? I just quit a year and a half ago, and had I not quit, my first reaction upon hearing bad news would have been to light up a cigarette immediately! I still miss smoking. My father died on June 15, 2005 of lung cancer. He had been a non-smoker (ex-smoker, that is) of 30 years at the time of his diagnosis. He was diagnosed in September 2004 at age 78. His entire family were all heavy smokers and lived well into their 90s and 100s and did not die from smoking-related causes. Go figure!! Now, I would like you to visit us at www.lungcancersurvivors.org. No charge or pressure whatsoever! We promise you unconditional love, support, compassion, and much information regarding lung cancer. We would love you to quit smoking, but if you really cannot, don't worry about it. We love you anyway! You will find people on our website who are lifelong never-smokers, ex-smokers, smokers. We are all in the same rotten boat! Take care of yourself. Love, SabineTawni

Thank you for this information. The extreme fatigue and backache are the two symptoms that I have had for a while and I was always an energetic person. I have saved the site you posted and will be visiting soon. The results of my PET Scan should be known this week..........thank you for the kind words and the words of encouragement. Kentuck