LUNG NODULE...really scaring me...

[adviceseeker777]

Hi,
I'm hoping someone can explain some things to me.  I'm a hypochondriac by nature and this is really stressing me out. My new gyno had a pelvic and abdominal CT scan done on me for pain I have had for quite some time.  Unrelated to any of this, he got the report back from the radiologist and it mentioned that I have a nodule on my lung, right lower lobe, subpleural...but then it was not mentioned again in the conclusion of the report.  My gyno didn't know what it meant and said he would follow up with the radiologist.  I was told to call back in 3 days.  When I did, I was informed that the radiologist never returned the call and that my gyno was going on vacation so he was passing on my report to another doctor to take a look.  His secretary phoned me to say I would have to wait again until the end of this week for my gyno to come back.
This is making me crazy.  I can't sleep, and I'm losing my mind.  Everything I have read on the internet sounds like I have a 50/50 chance of this being cancerous or at the very least, I am looking forward to many more CT scans and possible surgeries.  I am 38 years old, female, and supposedly in great health otherwise.  Of course, this is all my fault because yes, i have been a smoker since my mid-20s.  I know I have no one else to blame.  But can someone please tell me what should I be preparing myself for???  Is this the beginning of the end?
thanks much

[adviceseeker777]

hi Holly,
thanks for your words of encouragement. Yes, I have quit smoking!  The day I went in for my CT scan 2 weeks ago was the day I quit.  I think finding the nodule was enough reason for me never to touch a cig ever again. Heard back from my doctor who consulted with the radiologist.  Apparently the radiologist thinks it's 'nothing' but says I should have another CT scan in 6 months.  It's about 5mm big.  I don't know. After reading all these articles on the internet it's hard not to be terrified!  I'm planning on going to a pulmonologist anyway and checking this out further.
I hope you are doing well with quitting smoking! Stay healthy and thank you again for your kind words!

[Holly008]

Try to think positively...hard to do when you are imagining the worse. I know I can get the same way.I have recently quit smoking (7 weeks ago) and I also can work myself up imagining the worse case scenario. Remember even if it is malignant it has been caught before you had symptoms and most likely very curable.Be grateful that the radiologist found it, be grateful that you live in an age where new treatments are always being discovered. Remember that the mind body connection is very strong. Make up your mind that if it turns out to be cancer  you will fight and win. It is the beginning of the rest of your wonderful life and it is going to be a long one. Prepare yourself to kick the butts... Chantex or Bupropion will help you do that.Repeat to yourself..." I am a strong and beautiful person and I can and will be well"  Really use that as your mantra say it every morning and every night.    Best of Luck Holly