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CT scan due after shadow found during chest x-ray. I'm terrified I have lung cancer

Soohie
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Hi my name is carol , I have copd and I went to the drs because I thought I had an infection or exacerbation, they took blood and sent me for a chest X-ray and the bloods showed I had a bit of an infection so I had antibiotics, the X-ray showed a shadow which might be the infection, but now they are sending me for a CT scan to see if it’s cancer and I am terrified, I’m thinking I’ve got all the signs , my arm has been sore for about a year but I didn’t think much of it till now , my head is really itchy the last 2 days and apparently that’s a sign too, I’m also coughing up a tiny bit of pale orange mucus in the morning but clear the rest of the day , I’ve also suddenly got quite dry eyes as well , I feel like I definitely must have lung cancer 

  • Hello Carol

    Sorry that youve been through a chest infection on top of COPD. The CT scan is routine, usually to rule out anything else including cancer. Try not to google symptoms and wait for your  results. I know that is easier said than done. Hoping everything goes well for you.

    Ed

  • Offline in reply to Farmer_Ed

    Thankyou so much Ed , I’m trying to keep occupied so I don’t panic , my scan is Thursday , so fingers crossed 

  • Offline in reply to Farmer_Ed

    I had my ct yesterday morning, any ideas how long I’ll  have to wait for results if it’s bad news , I can barely function I’m so worried x

  • in reply to Soohie

    Hi Carol

    Im glad you got your scan done that in itself is traumatic.  Waiting for the results is the worst bit of the process. Usually the results are ready in about 10 days but you then have to wait for an appointment with the doctor. This took 3 weeks for my recent scan but it gives you a chance to ask questions and get answers. Write down any questions you may have, as it is easy to forget what you were going to ask. Take someone along with you for support and to write down any answers the doctor gives you, as you wont remember everything you are told. The results take same time if good or bad news. Hopefully it is just the infection that is causing you to cough up mucus and it will eventually clear. Keep busy, go for walks, visit friends, watch a movie, read, cook something nice, anything that distracts you from worrying. 

    Ed 

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