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Well, it's always something it seems.

When I was hospitalized a couple of weeks ago for pneumonia, they found a 'spot' on the upper right part of my right lung. They found it with a CT scan. The doctor thought it was just pneumonia showing up. To be sure, he sent me for a Pet Scan on Tuesday (4 days ago.) I got the call this afternoon that he wants to do a biopsy next week. The PA said it's about the size of a dime. However, in the hospital it showed up as the size of a nickle so it's either gotten smaller or they mis-read the size the first time. I was told the biopsy is outpatient and I will be asleep as there will be an incision and I will be there 4-6 hours, then come home. I think the hard part will be waiting on biopsy results.

When I had to be taken to the hospital last October after passing out, they did a CT scan then and the spot did not show up then. The doctor looked at both CT scans for comparison with the Pet scan.

Of course I am worried but I'm remaining positive. Has anyone had a lung biopsy before and if so, was it painful afterwards?

Jeanie, I will keep you in my prayers! Please keep us posted.

Aww Jeannie, it never rains it POURS

I am keeping you in my thoughts and sending you loads and loads of MOJO, strength and positive, healing thoughts.

((((Jeannie))))

Thank you both. I need the MoJo for sure.

I've been so fortunate to enjoy good health until last Fall so this is all new to me. When she said the word 'biopsy' it gave me chills. I understand it might take several days for the results. The PA said there will be a small incision so I WILL be asleep, thank goodness. She didn't know if they will go in through the front or back. I guess I'll find out more the first part of this coming week.

I'm hoping someone here has had a lung biopsy and can tell me if there is pain afterwards.

I'm sorry, Jeaniegirl. I'm sending mojo, too.

Sending you tons of mojo Jeanie.

Sending mojo!!

(((Hugs)))and Mojo Jeanne

No experience to share (thankfully) but sending lots of light and Mojo and keeping you in my thoughts. ((((Hugs))))

Thank you all for your replies and MoJo. It's hard not to think about but I'm trying to go about my time as normal as possible.

More MoJo from over here!

Jeaniegirl,

I'm sorry to hear of your health issue. I have been thinking of you since I read this.

TRIGGER ALERT: Stop here if necessary.

SI is helpful for support and when we can all share situations and events that are common to us. It's at it's weakest when the situations don't share common elements, and the discussions only escalate fear.

I'm hesitant to share but think it may be helpful to you. My mother did have a negative experience with one of her lung biopsies. Of course, her situation may not relate at all with yours.

Some things to consider and/or discuss with your physician:

How is your overall health and lung capacity?

What is the recommended treatment, for you specifically, if the spot is cancerous?

Are there possible complications of a biopsy that you should be aware of and would the outpatient facility have the necessary facilities to handle them?

I'll be thinking of you this week.

Yes, where the biopsy is being done is a huge facility, specializing in heart/lungs. So I feel confident about that. My breathing is much better the last week. Last October is was discovered that I have an aortic aneurysm that I was unaware of. I'm seeing my cardio doc today to inform him about the lung issue. Overall I feel okay, just anxious about all of this.

I got my second Pfizer vaccine yesterday so I'm sort of dragging around from that. Would like to curl up and sleep a few more hours but appointment a Cardio is 10:30.

Thank you for your message.

I did find out it will be a needle biopsy.

Hi Jeaniegirl,

My husband had several needle biopsies. He was scared to death of the first one. It was not complicated, and it caused almost no soreness at all. He never minded them after the first one.

My husband was ALWAYS a very bad patient. A head cold could put him in at home intensive care for weeks. I've never had a biopsy, but I can tell you that if it didn't phase him at all, it had to be a piece of cake...

((Hugs))

Jeanie,

You are fully discussing everything with your physicians and making informed decisions and that is the best any of us can do.

Again, this story may have nothing to do with you and your story. So just don't read further if desired.

My mother's story is that in 1998 or 1999 they found a tumor about the size of a fist next to her heart. She was relatively young, about 60, and in excellent health otherwise.

That biopsy was positive for cancer. My mother didn't mention the procedure being painful at all.

Due to the position of the tumor, she did not have surgery but underwent aggressive radiation and chemo. It was rough, but she recovered fully. She was cancer free and lived a relatively normal life afterwards, although she did have a loss of strength and lung capacity. Her oncologist called her his miracle patient.

In 2007, they found a new spot. There were complications with that biopsy. That might have been due to her weakened state or lungs. She never remembered anything from the biopsy, but I was told that's a normal reaction to the situation.

The results were positive for cancer. The oncologist said there was not enough good lung tissue to consider surgery. She was too weak for chemo. Part of that weakness was probably due to the complications of the biopsy. They tried a new genetic drug, Tarceva, I think. She couldn't tolerate the side effects. There are probably better treatments now.

My mother lived about 4 years after that diagnosis. I appreciate her fight and being there with me all those years.

I'm optimistic all will turn out well. I'll be thinking of you.

Thank you Humantrampoline. I welcome all replies.

At the cardio doctor today, he read the written report from the Pet Scan. He reminded me that the 'spot' did not show up in October - so whatever it is - it's new and he said it's caught early. He gave me hope. He reminded me that I did have a very deep case of pneumonia and it could be that showing up. His office and my lung doctor are in the same building and the system is set up so that all physicians can see reports from other doctors. He told me to try not to worry and just take care of it. He told me the procedure will be relatively painless as it's a tiny incision.

I asked for a copy of the written report and found out they could not print it out for me due to 'government regulations' and if I wanted a copy, I would have to get it from the imaging venue. I called them and talked with the guy who did the Pet scan. He said he'd print the written Pet Scan report out for me and I could come get it. He's very friendly and put me at ease last Tuesday when he did the Pet Scan. I told him my cardio doc didn't seem to concerned about the written report. He blurted out.."Well he should be!" OMG I almost passed out. He also used the term the lung doc's PA used last Friday when she called me ... and said the spot "LIT UP."

I was feeling better until I talked to the Pet Scan guy. Now I'm back to worrying again.

No advice, just hugs and positive mojo sent your way.

Jeanie, I had a very bad case of pneumonia several years ago. I had to have a chest X-Ray years later for something unrelated. A spot showed up on the X-Ray. It turned out to be scarring from the pneumonia. I remember the anxiety while waiting for answers.

I hope yours is something equally benign. The waiting is just awful.

Sending you lots of mojo.

Still no call from the hospital to set up the lung biopsy. I was told I'd get a call the first part of this week but nothing yet. But it's just Tuesday. I really hate the waiting and the worry.