Multiple non calcified nodules

[Shelly820]

I am new to this board and I would really appreciate any/all input as this whole situation is making me so scared.
I am 47/female with past history of smoking. (abt 25 years). Stopped nearly three years ago. Have no shortness of breath, no pain, wheezing, etc. (thankfully)
In may 2012 I had a CT with contrast of abdomen/pelvis, for some bowel problems. It showed I had diverticulosis but also it showed that there was a 3mm nodule in right lower lobe and a 2mm nodule in left lung base.
Went to see pulmonologist told me to get a CT of Chest without contrast in 6 months. I recently went October 2012
for CT. This time it showed there were multiple noncalcified nodules (12 to be exact). Sizes range from 2mm-7mm.
Mainly in mid to lower lung zones. No mass or consolidation is evident. Central airways are widely patent and there are no suspicious os serous lesions.
IMPRESSION: (as per radiologist) - Multiple tiny bilateral pulmonary nodules. 3-6 month follow-up is suggested. Mild emphysema.
My pulmonologist said not to worry, but I am scared! He told me the reason why they seen more because this was a full chest CT, the one I took before was below (abdomen/pelvis), which makes sense but why are there so many and Non calcified? He tells me he wants me to get another CT done in 6 months. I'm already freaking out, I'm thinking shouldn't I go sooner, like in 3 months? He tells me he's not concerned and explained to me like this, it could be like if you have a scar on your hand and it doesn't go away, it's just a scar. I thought only calcified nodules are leftover scars. He also says this is common, still something we want to keep an eye on, but reassures me that its fine.
Any thoughts/ suggestions/opinions would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for this long post.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

X rays are images and can show radiolucent or opaque shadows. And only a differential diagnosis can be obtained from this. Lung nodules can occur due to local causes like recurrent lung infections and sometimes due to cancer of the lungs. They can also be seen in systemic diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis and scleroderma. Further evaluation will be based on whether the nodules are changing in size and systemic symptoms. A PET scan and biopsy may help in evaluation. A biopsy facilitates a histologic study of cells, which gives you a definite diagnosis. So once you have the diagnosis you will know what measures or precautions you need to follow.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[Jerry_NJ]

Sorry to see you are getting such "scarey" news. While I do not have any personal experience (then too I've never had a CT scan), it sounds like you are doing the right things medical-wise, and the fact that your doctor/specialist thinks it best to watch to see if there is any ongoing activity is in general good news, worse would be to be told it is something they can't treat.  

I recall on an occasion that I had very low hemoglobin and the firsts tests I underwent included a colonoscopy to see if I had colon cancer or bleeding.  They found nothing wrong, and I was disappointing.  Then I was advised, no cancer is good news, not bad news.  Count your blessings.  I continue to have regular (every three years is the most insurance will cover) colonoscopies and while I produce polyps none have been cancerous.

I am not trying to make this about me, just given my reason to say have some trust in your doctors and take the best you can out of the diagnosis they offer.

Were you a heavy smoker?  I smoked (pack a day level) for about 30 years, and I quit about 30 years ago... and I believe the smoking damage has been mostly reversed by my good fortune of being able to live another 30 years after stopping smoking.  The message I have is also stay far away from others when they are smoking and away from dust and other air pollutants.