Nodes now growing

[tillakeet]

57 yo F with 44 yr smoking habit. Hx crohns disease 2obstructions, Hep C 2yrs interferon cleared,pernicious anemia, emphysema, copd,diabetes, asthma, fem fem bypass ARDS 1989. Started watching CT scans q 6 mos 2006. 2007 groung glass opacites throughout both lungs.6mm nodule L costophrenic angle, LLL R lung 5mm, 2mm in periphery of the RUL,(2) 4mm in middle lobe.Pretracheal largest measures 17x12mm .2007 No change since 06. 2008 one new small nodule.Dr not worried. I had surgery for bowel obstruction 4/08. In Icu 6 days on 02. On 02 x2 weeks at home. Had Chest xray about 3 weeks ago.Breathing worse, SOB at rest and not, Sats 82 with walking, Back on 02. Call about xray. Abnormality from other xrays.CT scan ordered. Called next day they want me to have a liver biopsy. New node RUL 11mm and some of the other nodes had grown.(no specifics) B/C of my hx, emphysema etc voiced concerns about needle biopsy., also what about PET scan or sputum cytology 1st. They don't think pet scans are helpful. I need a biopsy and need it now.I am very scared especially since I can hardly breathe. Afraid with empmhysema my lung may collapse. Afraid of procedure in general. Any opinion. What does this sound like? Are Pet scans useless? Would you have bx with my med. hx? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.

[Peggysl]

Hi tillakeet

It's totally normal to be afraid at the moment, but you need to get this sorted out asap.

Will they do a needle biopsy or surgery? I assure you, the needle biopsy is not so bad. What is the alternative? Surgery anyway, I suspect.And surgery doesn't have to be awful either. I felt the PET scan was a huge help as it alleviated other worries.

Should you lung collapse, they can put a drain in very quickly but remember it doesn't happen every time! I do hope you're not smoking?

A wedge resection is done under general but is considered dignostic as well as curative if confined to one small area. I don't exactly relish the idea of a chunk of my lung being cut out!

Take care,
Peggy.

[tillakeet]

I just realized I don't really know how to post a note back to you, but hopefully this will work. Thank you so much for responding to my email. I don't know exactly what I am asking for or what I need. It is just so nice to have someone who understands and can relate to me. I am sorry you have had such a hard time. Is a wedge resection done under general anesthesia?  
When I first posted I thought that I was in the Drs question area, Hence all the medical background and information. When I discovered I wasn't it was too late. I wanted to post on this forum, but more on a feeling level not medical stats. I am very lucky that I have a wonderful and supportive husband but I think he is overloaded. He's worried and is a fixer and cannot fix this. I need to keep it in perspective. I still don't know what I have. Maybe sarcoidosis, maybe just damage from being on a vent and getting ARDS. And the smoking. I wish I hadn't cx'd the first biopsy it's going to be long wait to May 1.  Thank you again for responding to my post. I am going to try and get them to order a pet scan this week. As for the biopsy, denial is my friend.
tillakeet

[Peggysl]

Hi
Not sure what to advise except that PET scan is a very useful thing to rule out further problems. I had a biopsy in which no cells were collected, and I had the problem of a collapsed lung which wasn't very nice. They won't do another biopsy now so my only choice seems to be a wedge resection.
The PET scan put my mind at rest that nothing else appears to be wrong.
They do loads of biopsies and the procedure itself is really not that bad at all.

Best of luck!
Peggy.