Lung Nodule Update

Five years ago, when I was diagnosed with chronic mylogenous leukemia, I was concerned about so many things. Mostly these concerns, were about the future.

First and foremost, would I have one!? Second, if I had one, what would it be like? Would the medication that I had to ingest daily, wreak havoc on my body? Would it cause another cancer to develop, or damage my organs and body beyond repair?

I have developed hypothyroidism and high cholesterol, and am currently on a watch and see plan for a spiculated nodule that was found on my right lung.

I had more than 600 ml of fluid drained from my left lung due to pleural effusion, a side effect of Sprycel, (my life saving medication) two weeks ago; the fluid came back cancer free. That was a huge relief.

Last week, I saw a pulmonologist about the "spiculated" nodule on my right lung. Due to its' size, 4-5 mm, he is going to repeat the CT scan in two months; this will determine the next plan of action!

These are the possibilities:

1. It has disappeared! Of course, I will be praying for this option. lol

2. It has remained the same; this will put me on a long term, waiting for the other shoe to drop, plan; continued observation.

3. It has slightly increased in size; this option will be cause for a needle biopsy to check for cancer.

4. It has greatly increased; this will result in its' removal, obviously through surgery. It would then be biopsied.

Of course, I asked what worse case scenario would actually entail, and what would it mean for the rest of my life; in other words, will I die of lung cancer, any time soon?

This was his answer:  he feels that due to the fact that this nodule was discovered at such a small size, that once removed, if it was cancerous, he would perform a PET scan, and if that was clear, he would consider me cured. No chemo, no radiations.

I told him that I could live with that!

So, for now, I shall wait and see; fingers and toes crossed!

Five years down the road, I am still Dancing My Way Through Leukemia!!