COPD denial and Spots on the lung

[Caroline1006]

My mom was diagnosed with COPD 7 years ago and she will turn 87 on Friday.  My mom has been in denial of this since her initial diagnosis and has seen more doctors than I can count on fingers and toes in the past 7 years hoping that one will tell her it's not COPD.  My mom is a smoker and has been for the past 40+ years.  

She is currently in the hospital and after our conversation this morning she told me that the doctor found a spot on her lung last September when she was admitted for high blood pressure and bronchitis.  At the time he was not concerned as he said it was caused probably from repeated bouts with pneoumonia and not to worry - that the spot was very small.  Last night, upon admitting her for this time, low blood pressure 68/56 HR 141.  The doc ran some tests and found the spot on her lung had grown from a small spot to a spot slightly over the size of a nickel (as described to me by my Mom).  

My question is - is it normal for a spot on the lung to grow at that rate in such a short time span, and not be cancer (5 months)?

Also, if it were cancer can she be operated on and what are the risks for her having COPD?  I can't understand how a person can accept that smoking can cause lung cancer but COPD has nothing to do with smoking when in fact, it is the main cause of COPD.  

[Caroline1006]

Hi Suzzi.
  Thank you for responding.  Since this post my Mom was diagnosed on her birthday with lung cancer - small cell carcinoma.  Thankfully, it has not spread through her body so she will undergo chemo and radiation treatments.  Although I consider this good news I still worry about her COPD and complications with the treatments.  This is the first time I have ever dealt with a family member diag'd with cancer so I'm researching everything I can, which sometimes is not a good thing.  Every person is different in how they react to treatment.  My mom not only smokes but drinks heavily and this is going to be the biggest battle for her I think.  Her health is not optimal for someone undergoing this type treatment so I know this will not be easy for her.  I would be quite shocked if she gave  up smoking at this point but all the same, I would be so relieved.

I praise you for quiting smoking when you did.  I don't know anything about Leukemia but I'm curious to learn now after your post.  

Thank you again for posting and I wish you well and hope you get better soon.  It seems the flu is running rampad this year in our area as well as other long-term viruses.  My 6 year old has been ill now for 6 weeks with a running nose and cough and alot of kids are out of school for various illnesses.  I've never seen it so bad.  

Take good care.

Caroline

[suzzie61]

Hi Caroline:
     First of all God Bless Your Mom and  A Happy 87th Birthday to her.  What did the doctors say about the spot on her  lung and its growth?
    I was a smoker for years, but I quit 13 years ago.  I used to quit, and then pick them back up.  Finally I just did not feel good, and quit.  Then 2 years after that I was diagnosed with Leukemia, and so glad I was not dealing with the cigarette dependency anymore.
   I have had constant Asthma, allergy, bronchitis, sinusitis, you name it.  I believe it is all related to my years of smoking.  I am 61 years old now.  Been sick this past week, and going for a chest x-ray on Monday.  Seems to be  a flare up of Bronchitis.  Praying everything is okay.  I will re-check my messages over the weekend.  Hope your Mom does okay.