Should I be worried ?

Hello Sharon,

It sounds to me like your oncologist knows exactly what your situation is, and is monitoring you carefully. The nodule on your lung is stable, so they will probably just keep an eye on that in future. If your cancer was spreading, they would be right on it and you would be told all about it. You would not have to ask for treatment.

I think you should write all your concerns down and either email or call your medical team where you have been treated; hopefully you have been given contact details of someone who will help you, and can ease your mind about what the situation is now and what the plans are for any treatment. 

We all get into a bit of a panic with this stuff. The medical staff understand this, and they will be only too happy to clear up any worries you have. Remember, the only stupid questions are the ones you don't ask!

You will feel a lot better knowing where you stand, and know things are under control. x

Hello Goldie

When I saw the oncologist after my treatment she said the spots in your abdomen are stable and I just about fell off the chair - it was the first I had heard of them and later I found that if every person were to be scanned they would find benign spots and nodules.  That is the best case scenario.

You have a spot on your lung and they are keeping a very close eye on it.  When they say stable they mean no change, cancer grows and what you have isn't growing which strongly suggests it isn't cancer.

I had a spot on the lung at diagnosis which was cancer and after systemic chemo, followed by the standard chemo radiotherapy I had a lung ablation.  I am over 3 1/2 years clear.  But mine was 'hot' on the PET scan, they had no doubt.  I really don't think they wouldn't be leaving yours if it was 'hot'.  They are looking after you.

Finally, in answer to your question regarding treatment, for the last three years I have had inflammation in the other lung that they are keeping a very close eye on.  Every oncologist has told me it is not cancer, it is not growing.  And when I questioned should it be biopsied, she told me it is a small area and this makes it very difficult to take an accurate sample.  But I continue to have scans every three months just to make sure.  I am happy with that.

I completely understand how worrying this is for you, believe me.  It wasn't until one oncologist flicked back over my records and said airily oh yes, the inflammation has been there since you started treatment.  Until that point I had been thinking that this was new inflammation after treatment and I had many a sleepless night thinking about it.

This isn't intended to be about me but my somewhat similar experience - I have had so many conversations about my lung and I thought my account might reassure you!

Big hug, Sharon

Irene xx

Hi Goldie65 ,

 Mrs Vanilla  & Irene75359 have addressed your concerns brilliantly & I hope that both replies have managed to put your mind to rest a little. I completely understand your concerns though & I think we would all feel the same way given the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies a cancer diagnosis. If I were in your position if you don’t have an oncology appointment scheduled for the near future ask for a telephone appointment with your oncologist & ask him/her to discuss this further. I hope you get some reassurance soon. 

Nicola

Mrs Vanilla,Irene and Nicola , 

Thank you for your responses , they have helped me. 
Cancer really is a roller coaster of emotions ! 
I think I panicked yesterday when I first read the letter as I didn’t know about the lung nodule . Maybe the oncologist didn’t think it worth mentioning as he wasn’t concerned about it . It’s very small and stable and could be insignificant. 
I do feel confident in my oncology team . 
im going to forget about it for now and ask in my next appt in early October . 

Thankyou for  your kindness and support 

Sharon x