Well folks, it just got worse. (my health)

[caledesi]

Well, as a lot of you guys know, I have had heavy-duty symptoms of MS and am in the process of tests and being diagnosed. Just when I thought it couldn't get much worse; it did. My PCP called me today because I had just gone to the Tampa MS Center and met w/ a GREAT neurologist who specializes in MS and demyelination diseases. Anyhow, when I met w/ this great doctor, he order an MRI of my spine and a cervical MRI (my neck) bec with MS, lesions often show up in these places.

Now I had the MRI...yes, I spent over 1 1/2 hours in the "tube" and I am claustrophobic, but hell, if it doesn't hurt, I will do it. I am a trooper.

Getting back to my PCP (primary care physician) - she calls and tells me that my MS neurologist sent the MRI results of my spine and neck and she tells me that the MRI revealed a "spot on my lung." I was absolutely blown away. I just listened and couldn't even answer her. I was paralyzed. She said the "spot" was VERY small and she would like me to have a CT scan and X-ray of my lungs.

I quit smoking about 7 years ago, but smoked heavily most of my adult life.

So, what I am asking fellow DUers, have any of you had a similar experience? (small "spot" in the lung) and what happens next?

I am very distraught tonight. Need I say more?

edit: usual stuff

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[caledesi]

2. Thanks Pete. I am a wreck.

[JanMichael]

3. You don't need to say anything else.

I've been a "casual" smoker for years and what you just described would scare the shit outta me.

I wish you only the best of health...Please keep us informed:-)

[flamingyouth]

4. I'm praying for you

We are all pulling for you. Just know that you are loved, and take care of yourself as much as you can.

:grouphug:

[KC]

5. Sometimes

a spot on the lung can be scarring, if you have ever had pneumonia.

I hope it turns out to be nothing serious and will keep you in my thoughts.
Let us know when you find out

KC

[brook]

6. If...

a cyberhug will help -here's {{hug}} x 1,000,000+ of 'em!

I'm so sorry. Have the tests done asap - keep us posted and know you're on the receiving end of much positive energy.

[kayleybeth]

7. A friend of mine

several years ago had a similar scare and it turned out to be absolutely nothing. She was a very heavy smoker and the experience scared her into quitting for good.

I know it's hard but try not to worry. The tests are usually just a precaution. Keep us informed. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you.

[caledesi]

8. A big thanks to all of you. I love all you guys at DU and I mean that.

My world is getting smaller and smaller bec of my illness, and that is one reason I am on DU a lot lately. But if it wasn't for you guys and your sincere support, I don't know what I would do.

I don't know what I think anymore. I used to be this "hyper" person, playing tennis, very topical, into a lot of stuff, but my world is getting smaller and smaller and it's difficult to adjust to. Thank God I have a great husband who understands. Without him, sh*t, I would be lost.

I am getting very philosophical. I keep thinking, "Is there a God?" What's going to happen when I die?" All this sh*t is first and foremost on my mind and I am only 56!

Not to get off on a tangent, but it is salient - only one person in my family (family of 6 kids, mother and father) have lived to the age of 65. That in itself is depressing. But I will fight this, whatever the hell it is.

This 5' 100 lb person is feisty. I hope it gives me strength.

[alfredo]

14. It appears that if it is just a small spot, even if it is cancer, I have

faith it can be cured. Look at what Lance Armstrong did with his cancer. He fought like hell and won. His determination was, in my opinion, what tipped the scales in his favor. http://www.laf.org/

Until they know, and you know, don't let it get to you. Waiting and not knowing is worse than knowing, even if it is bad news.

I nearly was wasting away and the doctors didn't know why. People started talking to me like they expected me to die, They were making their peace. I was starting to become concerned. I spent two weeks in Hospital hell waiting for a diagnosis. I was poked full of holes, ate terrible food, and was in enteric isolation so I didn't get to get out and flirt. It was hell.

finally they made me drink the most awful drink, even worse than Tab. It was Barium, strawberry flavored Barium. After they imaged me they found I had Crohn's disease. It can be an awful disease, I mean really nasty. Even though I knew that it was incurable, I was relieved to at least know what I had, and what I needed to do to stay healthy.

You will experience a lot of feelings, people will be real uncomfortable around you. Disarm them with humor, inspire them with courage, and when they are not paying attention, steal their checkbook. Works every time.

Good luck. No matter what the outcome, play the hand you are dealt.


Edited because I ..... I don't need to explain myself. Bluhhhh!!!

[BiggJawn]

32. Read about Lance. He's an inspiration to everyone.

Not only had one ball the size of a orange, but "spots" in his lungs AND his brain.
He's setting his sights on the first-ever SIXTH Tour de France victory.

I don't have Cancer, but reading about him helps me fight MY problems...

I'm hoping it's nothing. I seem to have something tickling the back of my brain about a story on how all these "body scan" things that are more popular than lasik are scaring the hell out of people because they're turning up false positives onn all kinds of bad shit.

Great news for the medical testing industry, eh?

:hug:

[juajen]

22. I hope it gives you strength, too

Please, try to live just one day at a time. It sounds as if you have an awful lot to have to deal with. I do believe in God and on many occasions that belief has seen me through. I hope it will for you too. I will send positive thoughts your way.

I do have a suggestion. Listen to music you love. Put on every funny video or dvd that you have. Listen to every comedian that comes on television. Turn off or block out anything that could possibly depress you. Laughter is a great healer and music soothes the soul.

The best of luck to you.

[juajen]

23. I hope so, too

Please, try to live just one day at a time. It sounds as if you have an awful lot to have to deal with. I do believe in God and on many occasions that belief has seen me through. I hope it will for you too. I will send positive thoughts your way.

I do have a suggestion. Listen to music you love. Put on every funny video or dvd that you have. Listen to every comedian that comes on television. Turn off or block out anything that could possibly depress you. Laughter is a great healer and music soothes the soul.

The best of luck to you.

[WilliamPitt]

9. My mother went through this

The doctors found a 'spot' on her lungs, and wrote "Metastasized Lung Cancer" on the diagnosis sheet while she was sitting there in front of them. Brilliant bedside manner. They made her wait several days before getting an X-ray of her chest. The spot turned out to be a tiny filament of asbestos that she had breathed in thirty years ago while working in an old public hospital.

In other words, wait for the final word before leaping to any conclusions. I wanted to burn that hospital down for terrifying my mother, but I was of course wild about the final news.

Have faith and hope. We're here with you.

[Madrone]

10. My grandma -

had something like this a few years ago. It was a small spot, about the size of a nickel, and it ended up being cancer.

She chainsmoked her whole life (and I do mean CHAINsmoked) but had quit a few years before the cancer was found.

I can't give you all the details about what happened, the procedures she went thru, etc - but I CAN tell you that she was very old and frail, and not in good health to begin with - had surgery, and was FINE. They removed the cancerous spot, and that was that.

My limited experience with what you are going thru proved in the end to be "no big deal".

On a similar note - my mom had emergency brain surgery almost 2 years ago - had a brain tumor the size of a golf ball in the middle of her brain, between the eyes. That was pretty scary too - but you'd never know now that she went through that. It was pretty intense when it was happening, but she recovered FAST. Medical "stuff" has sure progressed!

Luck is with you because it was discovered - and it was discovered before it progressed to something larger. Hang tight!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

11. I have no idea on how to comfort you

I have not had that experience. I will say this, a very small spot can be anything, it might not be the worst and it remains to be seen if it is in the lung itself or the pluera (lining). The fact that it is very small is good as it leaves more possiblity that whatever it is is caught early and that makes a huge difference.

I really hope things get cleared up for you soon and that whatever it is is treatable. In the meantime, may I suggest getting a hold of some Ram Dass tapes...just anything to alter your consciousness around your body and mortality....he has some very great spoken tapes that can alter your relationship to your body while you are going through this....clearing anxiety can be very helpful when confronted with illness.

Best wishes...really...T.

[FDRrocks]

12. No advice...

but I offer you, caledesi, my hope and love. I hope you get through all this well. Peace be with you.

[corarose]

13. Your in all of our prayers

Make sure you get a second opinion. I had an MRI one time and like an Idiot I left my necklace on and a spot showed up on one of the xrays.

We are all praying for you on DU.

God Bless

[caledesi]

15. Again, thank you all for your kindness, prayers and hope.

I will get through this, but right now I am a wreck. Can you blame me?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

16. Not one bit

I'd be right where you are if I had to cope with all that uncertainty as well.

[Don_G]

17. Try Not To Worry Much

It's only a preliminary diagnosis and could be anything right now. We're here for you if you need a friendly ear. :hug:

[Cleita]

18. It doesn't rain but it pours at times.

But look on the positive side. Maybe as a result of these probes they found something in time to treat it before it's too late. Best of luck and I hope things work out for the best for you.

[Dogmudgeon]

19. Ouch!

Between 1990 and 1995, I was diagnosed as having MS. It actually turned out to be an RSD-like nerve disorder plus a "mystery demyelinating disease" that was fortunately not progressing. So I spent a fair amount of time in the MRI tube.

My mother smoked from 14 to 60, and quit in 1995; took it up again after my father died in late '96, and quit again in 2000. She has had the spot-on-the-lungs scare several times. It has turned out to be a patch of COPD, and possibly just a small section of scar tissue. But it's a real white-knuckle experience.

I wish I could add more to that other than "Good Luck!"

--bkl

[onebigbadwulf]

20. Would Lorenzo's oil do anything to help your MS?

It was a great movie btw.

[caledesi]

25. Lorenzo's Oil was a fabulous movie.

I am active on one of the MS boards though and I haven't read anything about Lorenzo's Oil being used with MS. But thanks for the idea. I think I'll just watch that move now!

[onebigbadwulf]

31. From what i remember....

Lorenzo's oil was used to regenerate myelin. But come to think of it, I think that was because his body couldn't handle cholesterol properly. Perhaps I am mistaken.

[LawDem]

21. MRIs often create false alarms

One of the negatives to MRIs of the lung is that they're so sensitive that they pick up little stuff that often turns out to be nothing. The technical name for them is solitary pulmonary nodules. Much depends on the size and characteristics of the spot, as well as your age. But a very large percentage of them are benign. That's the bad news of MRIs -- they often lead to unnecessary worry and expense. The good news is that they can pick up a lung cancer when it's early enough to be treatable, whereas by the time a traditional x-ray picks it up it's usually too late.

In other words, friend, you're a long ways from facing the grim reaper at this moment. Take a deep breath and wait out the tests. There's a real good chance all will be well.

God's speed (and that from an agnostic)

[AlienGirl]

24. My ex-husband had this happen...

He had a "spot" on his lung that looked like either cancer or TB. MRIs, a needle biopsy, and a bronchoscopy kept returning inconclusive results; doctors told me privately that he'd be dead before the end of the year.

Eventually he had a surgical biopsy. The result? A fungal infection, successfully treated with antifungal pills. But six months of chronic anxiety had passed by that time...

Tucker

[caledesi]

27. Again a big thanks to all you caring, caring people.

I would like to correct something I wrote last night in terms of deaths in my family from cancer. I was a little high last night <do you blame me?> anyhow I made the statement that only one of my family member has lived to be 65; that isn't true. My mother is 89 <yeah, GREAT genes> and I still have a brother, and 2 sisters. I think that what I was getting at was that there is a strong history of cancer in my family which originally consisted of 6 siblings, a mother and father. But, my father, and two brothers died of lymphoma (Hodgkins, and non-Hodgkins) at ages 58, 58, and 40 respectively.

Just want to straighten this out. I was on the "pity-pot" last night, but I am a fighter and not afraid to be "in the face" of doctors or to seek second opinions.

Will be reporting on what's happening as things progress, hopefully in a positive way. I calld my best friend, and she calmed me down because she had a similar experience last year and she still smokes and it turned out to be nothing. She told me it was prob scar tissue.

[pmbryant]

30. Hoping for the best, caledesi

:grouphug:

--Peter

[soleft]

26. A woman at work had a spot show up on her xray and it turned out ok

was not cancer or anything.

Good luck!

[MissMillie]

28. Had a cancer scare once

though not lung cancer.

I'll be thinking of you, and hoping that soon you will be 100% healthy and all this will be a memory.

[bmbmd]

29. Did they find any plaques

on your MRI?

[caledesi]

36. Yes, they found numerous plaques on the brain MRi

and that is why they are pursuing the MS thing. Definitely, demylination...so I wait

[blm]

33. yeesh....sorry to hear this, caledesi.

I've had recurring pleurisy for over 20 years. When it's inflamed it is extremely painful, so would only expect anything that effects your lungs must be serious.

Good luck and let us know.

[FlaGranny]

34. My mother, bless her soul,

many years ago hurt her back and the doctor ordered an x-ray. A spot was found on her lung that turned out to be cancerous. It was removed and she died 25 years later from something else entirely. Lung cancer, if you have it (that's a big if)is curable when discovered early. If you have a tiny spot in your lung and IF it is cancer, you have caught it early enough for a total cure.

My husband had cancer of the tongue, which supposedly also has a low survival rate, like lung cancer. BUT, it was caught early. That was nearly 10 years ago now and he is cancer free.

They may just watch the "spot" for a while to see if it grows or they may do a biopsy. Depending on the findings they may do a lobectomy or a partial lobectomy of the lung. It is frightening, I know, but it sounds to me that if it really is cancer, you'll be fine because it was found before it could spread.

My brother-in-law died from lung cancer, but he had symptoms for quite some time - his stupid physician never sent him for a chest x-ray or MRI - and it was inoperable when it was first discovered.

[Lars39]

35. My mom had a spot on her lung.

After much testing it was determined that it was from living in humid conditions(the south), and was calcium(I think). They said a lot of people have this and don't know it. Hope yours turns out to be just as innocuous. Sending good thoughts your way, caledesi!!!!

[caledesi]

37. Again. Can't say it enought - You guys are great!

[DemExpat]

38. Very best wishes, Caledesi,

I would concentrate on it being a SMALL spot of whatever it may be....and that would comfort me some!

:hug:

DemEx

[ulysses]

39. hey caledesi

Hard to say anything at this point without sounding trite. Just remember that if it is cancer, quite a few of us here have been through the experience and can relate if you need to talk.