"Shadow" on lungs

My 21-year-old daughter had gone to see a doctor because she was having a lot of stomach pain. The doctor did a CT scan and suggested she go without any dairy food for a week. Well, DD cut the dairy and immediately began to feel better but when the CT scan came back, it showed a 'shadow' on her lungs. NOw she's scheduled for a PET scan to look for cancer.

As you can imagine, we're all freaking out. I'm hoping of course that it's nothing. Some little bit of pneumonia or whatever. She did have mono about 3 years ago - does anyone know if that could leave a shadow on the lungs? The damn PET scan isn't scheduled until March 1st, so we all feel like we're twisting in the wind at this point.

dejavu, I don't know anything about mono or scans so I can't help there. I will offer up prayers for your daughter's good health and a clean scan on the 1st. Offering a prayer for peace of mind for you and yours also.

chick

Dejavu, I would hope if it were something serious they would schedule an appointment for your daughter immediately. I would cling on to that theory. Maybe you can find more info in internet? Keep us posted, and my prayer goes out to your daughter and your family.

I am by no means a medical specialist, but from 7 years of doing medical transcription at home, I can tell you that a shadow on the lung in x-ray is not always indicative of something major. Could be pneumonia, could be mono, could be many things. I know, as a mother, it is hard not to worry and start thinking in worst case scenario mode. You are your family are in my prayers. Try to think positively. I know it's hard. Keep us posted.

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers too. I know how scary it can be. My oldest daughter has had a lot of health problems and I got sick, worrying about her.

Thanks, everyone. EvilTwin - how do you like doing medical transcription. This is the field my daughter is considering going into. She's currently training in medical billing but it could also lead to transcription and she likes the idea of working at home.

I'm really holding onto the thought that it's the mono that's showing up. Staying positive. But thanks so MUCH for the prayers and good thoughts.

Ahhh... I should have been a bit clearer. I no longer do MT at home. I'm back in the law firms in Atlanta and have been for 8 years or so now. I really did like MT at home for many reasons; however, it was not unusual for me to spend 12-14 hours a day at the computer, and it wore me down. I've done both my own accounts and working for companies at home with MT. At the time it was great, though.

Dejavu,
We're rallying around you and your daughter with positive thoughts and prayers. Since she's had mono once, I would just bet it is the result of this past illness.

Take heart! We're using one voice to offer prayers to the God above. Please keep us all posted and feel our presence as we will be right beside you during it all!

dejavu, think happy thoughts. Every time the wory appears, try to replace it with good thoughts. Waiting for tests, and then results, is tough. Remember we are carrying all of you in prayer. Please let us know as soon as you hear.

Oh, and don't go researching on the internet. There are way too many scary things on there that will only upset you. I'm with Hannelore. I had a tumor behind my ear and I went from one doctor's office to another all in one day. I knew something was up. If they are seriously concerned, they hop right on it. I had the side of my face cut open to have the tumor removed. It was benign!

It's so hard to not be worried about our children, no matter their age.

I'd be encouraged by Evil's thoughts on about the shadow.

Also, I just spoke with my sister, Bonnie, who is a patient care administrator at the National Institutes of Health. For about 20 years, she did CAT scans. She says there can be many causes for a shadow, such as scar tissue from an undiagnosed bout of pneumonia. If you do not have a scan to compare this one to, this is information you don't have at this time. Unfortunately, you'll need to just get through this next week, until your daughter has the PET scan. Bonnie did say that all cases where there is strong reason to believe that cancer is present are considered emergencies and usually the PET scan is done asap.

My two cents: I'd be on the phone asking that this be considered an emergency because the waiting would be very hard for me, also. I'm impatient when it comes to medical test results.

Unfortunately, there may be a shortage of equipment in your part of the country. I don't know where you are from or where your daughter lives. If this is the case, I'd ask if another machine is available for use in a neighboring town or city. If your daughter's insurance carrier will cover a trip to a neighboring community, and a machine is available sooner, I'd be on the road.

Sending prayers your way . . .

Emily in Maryland

My daughter had her PET scan yesterday. They said she probably won't hear any results until next week, after the radiologist's report goes to her doctor. We've been staying pretty calm on this; I really think it's either a blip or something to do with her previous bout of mono. In the meanwhile, all prayers and good thoughts are appreciated.

Please keep us updated. I too feel that its a "blip" as you put it and will gladly celebrate with you when you get the results. Stand fast!

YES, we are getting ready to celebrate that it's simply a blip... Claim nothing else.

its been a long wait for the scan and for the results, try not to let it weer you down, as hard as it is too waite...keep your strenth and faith up....

celtic

dejavu, stay busy and try to keep your mind occupied with other things. We call it the Bregel Block Out. It works.

My daughter's PET scan came back clear. They believe the 'shadow' on her lungs is a bit of scar tissue and probably she had an undiagnosed case of pneumonia at some point. I never heard of that before but I guess it happens. Anyway, all is well. They want her to have another chest x-ray done in about a year to make sure there's no change. BIG RELIEF.

Thank God dejavo. Thanks for letting us know.

Amen to your post. Dejavue, I know you were very worried. Celebrate!

chick

exilent news i glad it turned out this way for you and your D. pneumonia can do that to ya....