Best Of
Re: CT and Lung Nodules
Hi @cmre00, I'm sorry that you have a lung nodule which is a concerning size. It could be a granuloma which is a benign clump of cells caused by inflammation of some sort (possibly from Verzenio.) Mets usually appear in groups but a singleton is possible. The other possibility would be a new lung cancer primary.
Lung biopsies can be very difficult which is why they are suggesting short term follow-up (usually 3 months) to look for growth first. I don't know how useful a PET scan would be since any kind of inflammation would light up with FDG contrast. Even FES which looks for E+ lights up my pulmonary fibrosis which is not cancer but has estrogen receptors. Also, it wouldn't identify lung cancer.
If you need a biopsy it might be worth getting a pulmonologist involved. Occasionally an IR can do a needle biopsy but more often bronchoscopy is needed to reach the tumor. Sometimes the nodule is impossible to get to that way and VATS (open surgical biopsy requiring hospitalization) is required. A specialist pulmonary radiologist or lung cancer pulmonologist might have useful input about whether it appears the nodule should be biopsied immediately or followed short term. In the grand scheme of things three months doesn't make a huge difference.
Most of the time a lone nodule under 3 cm is benign but any nodule over 1 cm should be closely monitored. Keep us posted. You are wise not to worry unless you have to.
maggie15
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Hi everyone. Hope that this note finds peace and pain free days. @sf-cakes Belated Happy Birthday. Your cake looked gorgeous. Bet it was yummy, too. @intolight Prayers that your treatment kicks as* and you will enjoy many Christmases to come. @shanagirl Families are certainly complicated. Your meal sounded so delicious and a partner in the kitchen, what a pair you two make. @cookie54 Oh what a frightening thing to happen to your nephew on Christmas. He sounds young and healthy so hopefully he will heal quickly and be back to his old self. DH went thru this last year. He did develop an infection so had to return for another minor surgery. He's doing well for a 79 yr. old.
DD is still here. She hasn't attempted to get the DGD moving. That child was up all night and fell asleep at noon. I wish I could say this is the exception but it's not. No school, no parental controls over her phone and tablet. . DGD can't concentrate, hates loud sounds and needs help. Public school did nothing to help. We want to try private school but if she won't listen to us, well she won't listen to a teacher. Needs mental health and physical eval, perhaps on the autistic scale? DD had a spontaneous colon death 7 weeks after her baby was born (only child). She was visiting us in Boone and was so sick that she went by ambulance to the hospital. She was airlifted to Winston-Salem Baptist hospital and the surgeon saved her life. He removed a large area of necrotic intestines, attached a iliostomy bag and stitched back up from under her breast bone down to her pubic bone. 85% mortality rate. A lot of prayers from so many and we received a miracle. Since then it's been difficult for her. But no excuse with how she's raising her child or treats her parents. She doesn't work either so financial aide is from the bank of dad and mom. Lovely husband, works hard but just not enough income and she announced they are separated recently (her idea). He lives in the camper and wants his family back and we need her to move back. Awful tired of doing everything for them when we both suffer cancer and minimum retirement funds. Do love them all truly, just need a break….
@mara51506 Hope you are eating better and not attempting to lay salt. Just no worth it. I too will light a candle for you and pray and be in your pocket from now until you are healed.
My wishes for all those in Mel's room is for a healthy and happy New Year. So many drugs in the pipeline and surely we will find one that works for us.
Irishlove
Re: Zoom Meet-Up Bonded by Breast Cancer: Place to Keep Chatting
I just learned about Beckie passing. So sorry to all her family and friends. She was an incredible person who was a light in this world. She will be greatly missed!
collijr
Re: Life does not end with a stage IV diagnosis (really!)
@aprilgirl1 - Hey, congratulations on both the walk in Spain and the number of years of stage 4! Keep it up, you are a wonderful example and inspiration. Happy New Year to you.
Re: Stage IV MBC Fitness
@chicagoan I hope you get to start playing pickleball again soon, it's so much fun and great exercise. Speedy recovery with your hip. 😊
bigred62
Re: Lymph Node Positive Survivors
Good question Lottemarine!
The frustrating thing for me is how the little differences can change outcomes more than people talk about. So it's hard to know when you are comparing apples to apples. Even then everyone is different, so one person's experience does not reflect on your own. I've been trying to narrow down the area of people more similar to me to see if I can get a better picture that way, but I still don't think it will really provide answers. (i'm a nerd, I just love data, though)
For example, staging is sometimes done by number of nodes involved. However, my cancer surgeon told me she has seen between 4 and 44 lymph nodes in a person's breast/underarm area. So it would stand to reason that a person with 1/4 nodes involved might be considered more serious than someone with 4/44. So why is that not reflected statistically? And what about Macro vs Micro mets in these lymphs? Also, the prognosis for younger people with cancers TENDS to be less good than when you are older. So, when we look at stats, and age is not mentioned, is the experience of someone who is 65 at diagnosis similar to someone who is 35? I started a thread on the stage 3 forum talking about age because that seems as good as any as a place to start trying to sort out some of my own questions.
Re: Who's starting Radiation in November 2025? Let's gather here to share!
hi@xsuzx
That is great that you had your first treatment!!
I was diagnosed with DCIS Grade 3. Had a lumpectomy, then 9 rad treatments. 5 whole breast and 4 partial. I finished on Dec 15!!
Today, it actually looks like the swelling has gone down!! Yay
Totally normal for your emotions to be up and down. I am the same way. I’ve said to people that I take things hour by hour and not day by day… when they ask how I’m feeling
One minute I will be crying, then I have a chat with a friend or my sister on the phone and feel better after.
I have been very lucky. My friends and neighbours have been incredibly supportive throughout my entire journey . (And that makes me cry) I have no family where I live.. (moved to another city after I got married) , other than my in laws. I made it very clear to my mother in law to NOT tell any relatives.
I have been out for lunch with a few close friends but that was when I was feeling up to it.
Remember, This is YOUR journey and you can see who you want and when you want. When people say, they want to come by, be honest and say you are really not up for visits right now, but you appreciate their kindness and compassion. I have one neighbour who asked me if it was ok for her to message me every few days to ask how I was feeling.. and I said Yes, that would be fine
Do what makes you comfortable, whatever that may be. Anything!!
From a distance.. we are here to support each other. We can all relate!! 💗
Wishing you all the best as you continue with your radiation
Embracing with strength
Redwinelover
Re: Life does not end with a stage IV diagnosis (really!)
@xsuzx The beginning is very stressful and uncertain. I felt much like you do right now when I was first diagnosed 19 months ago. It seemed liked I lived at the cancer clinic and hospital. It will get better.
I don’t read the gloom and doom stories online. BCO is so uplifting and filled with encouraging members. I prefer to have a positive outlook whenever possible.
Just remember that those radiation treatments are kicking cancer in the butt!
Keep us posted on how you are doing.
Wishing you a wonderful new year!
Hugs, Pam 💗
Re: Life does not end with a stage IV diagnosis (really!)
@xsuzx yes, I do think that the dx of stage 4 is such a shock, this time is the most challenging . The beginning is also full of extra appts to check blood work , radiation for you and the beginning of new medications that have a long list of possible side effects . Once you start your treatment (after radiation ) you get used to the schedule and meds and it gets much easier .
@livinglifenow , you are right- don't read the doom and gloom but find support on these boards . I learn so much from others willingness to share info on treatments.
@brutersmom - I'm so glad you got more positive results via ChatGPT once you put in more specifics about your case. I know you work out a lot - I am hoping to be more consistent with exercise and weight bearing exercise in 2026.
Re: Life does not end with a stage IV diagnosis (really!)
@aprilgirl1 What section did you hike? I'd love to do that. @forza has gone, too!
