I was feeling good and then

[nannabee]

I was feeling much happier lately although still worrying about my breast cancer coming back. I recently had a CAT scan as part of a respiratory check up and due to see my consultant next month. Today I received a phone call from a completely different doctor to say there was something on my lungs but that the respiratory doctor would sort that out at my appointment next month. However there was also a swollen lymph gland in the centre of my chest which he was calling about and could be cancer. He is booking a PET scan at Bart’s and to say I am scared rigid is putting it mildly. Any help or previous experience would be very much appreciated please. Xx

[Kay0987]

Unfortunately once you’ve had cancer anything that shows up on a scan is automatically assumed to be related until proven otherwise. I’m so sorry you are again waiting but know that lots of things look weird on scans and very few of them are cancer related. However, why are you getting a CAT scan if you have no symptoms? They are not routine.

[nannabee]

The CAT scan was because I have respiratory problems and was part of a regular check up. Thought my respiratory consultant was just being ultra careful. Thank you for replying xx

[poorlyboob]

Hi nannabee, I really feel for you. Its an ongoing worry after treatment. Been told this worry never leaves you. So sorry there is a suspicious area following your scan. Hopefully you wont have too long to wait for diagnosis. Hang in there and let us know how things are x

[diddy1]

@nannabee - I don’t have any experience or advice to offer I’m afraid, but I just wanted say that I’m so sorry you have this worry hanging over you. You are so lovely and have posted such kind, positive and inspirational messages (I am continuing to be more ‘nannabee’ every day) and I really hope the findings are nothing sinister. Wishing you lots of love, hugs and all the best - please keep us updated xx 🩷

[Kay0987]

Of course! Once this is resolved you might want to ask them whether routine scans are necessary. They are added radiation exposure which is a carcinogen and on top of that can lead to a lot of unnecessary worry. Good luck and I hope it’s resolved quickly! There are tons of people on this site who have had things show up on scans and it’s been benign. It’s way more common than it being cancer.

[Curlywurly1]

Oh bless you…i can’t offer any personal experience of your symptoms and tests but i know how disttrssing the worry and anxiety can be everytime a new symptom or test / scan outcome can have

Just know that the teams looking after you want the best for you, will do the best for you and hopefully give you news as soon as they can

Worry is a horrid thing that plays havoc with your mind so if at all possible do distraction stuff, lovely things, and some gentle exercise outside ( even in the horrid rain) when you can

Tits, toes and fingers crossed for you xx

Take care

[Tili]

My dear Nannabee

I can’t believe what’s going on with you, so unfair. I can’t offer you any advice, if love and hugs can help you have a sack full coming from me and many others on the forum.

Wishing you well, with an excellent outcome. Please let us know how you are getting on.

Love Tili

[Tigress]

Oh @nannabee what a nightmare. Not sure if this will help but in 2015 I had swollen lymph glands in my neck. Went to GP, refered for investigation at local hospital, had an ultrasound. Went off to work, got a call at 4pm from GP surgery to go in immediately following results of the ultrasound. Had to rush from the City to West London before 5.30 in a panic, was sat down and told that they had found an unusual, enlarged lymph glad in my chest. It was big and round not the bean shape expected. Was told it could be lymphoma and was sent off to the Probable Cancer Department of St Mary’s Paddington a few days later for further tests. I won’t go into what a waste of time that was, suffice it to say, I went private and ironically saw the Head of Department at St Mary’s who was interested in my experience! Anyway, I had more and better tests privately. On the evening I went back for results (bearing in mind I’d had 10 days thinking I had cancer) I entered the room and the doctor said “how are you?” I said “ok I think” and he said “yes you ARE ok” . He could see this troublesome lymph gland and said there was absolutely nothing wrong with it, they do come in different shapes and sizes and he said some quite uncomplimenary things about the radiologist at the original hospital. So the moral of the story is, they look at everything, test everything but it does not mean that there is anything wrong. Just because it could be cancer, it doesn’t mean it is. Funnily enough I was way more worried about that episode than I was when I was diagnosed with BC seven years later. And the original raised lymphs were due to a bit of eczema. Do let us know how you get on because we all love you!

[sozboz]

Continuing the discussion from I was feeling good and then:

Sending you a big hug and positivity xxxx

[nannabee]

Bless you, thank you so much. Must admit big hugs are getting me through a tough time and I’ll take them off of anybody and everybody xx

[chillout365]

Massive hugs sent to you, you’re so so good at giving them out.

[nannabee]

Thank you all, I appreciate every thought, hug and kindness - together we are strong.

I’ve got my PET scan on Saturday and they’ve now given me a cardiology appointment next week, I haven’t got a clue why but am telling myself they are just being ultra careful. Physically I’m fine, mentally a lot better than I was. My BC nurse phoned me this morning and said this could all be just an infection and for now I’m trying very hard not to think too far. The only thing I have done is gone back on my Letrozole. I had come off it for a week as I was struggling with the side effects but all of this has made me scared not to take it but that’s ok.

I cannot thank you all enough, you’ve made me smile, you’ve caused a few tears (kind tears) and I know I’m not alone. Thankfully my family were brought up on hugs so there are a lot of those going around and I’m sending you all a massive one each and there are always more whenever you need one. Love each and every one of you xxxx

[chillout365]

Hi nannabee

How did your scan go on Saturday?

Was just thinking of you,

Sending hugs
Xx

[nannabee]

Hi and a big thank you for thinking of me. It didn’t happen - as the radiologist said to me “the machine she is broken” now rebooked for this Saturday and the machine she had better be working

How are you, sending hug and love xxx

[Tili]

Hugs Nannabee,

Good luck with your scan on Saturday

Biggest hugs Tili

[chillout365]

Hi

Was just wondering how you are doing?

Did you get your scan & mammogram done in the end?

I had my mammogram last Tuesday and thankfully had the results back in less than 48hrs, which really did surprise me.

Sending hugs

[nannabee]

Bless you for thinking of me, so pleased your mammogram was all good , are you doing the happy relieved dance. Great news.

Unbelievably Bart’s yet again cancelled my PET scan at the last minute, that’s three times. Saw my consultant this afternoon and he wasn’t pleased. They are still looking at possible lymphoma but cannot go any further until the scan is done. (Rebooked for the 30th). But once he’s got that he’ll phone me and arrange to see me in his office rather than have to wait for a clinic appointment.

Had my mammogram and will get the results on the 7th when I see my BC surgeon.

Sending you a bunch of hugs xxxx

[Tili]

Nannabee, can’t believe what you are going through, so unfair. Let hope you get sorted very soon.

With the biggest hugs Tili

[nannabee]

Bless you Tili, hope you are ok, big hugs back xxx