I spent six weeks this past summer needing one test after the other, with each test showing something that needed further examination. It started with shortness of breath that I’ve never experienced before. I was sent for an x-ray and was told there was a spot on my right lung. The next week I went in for a CT scan. A small mass was found on the scan, so the next step was a PET scan the following week. My doctor called with the result from the PET scan. When she called late in the afternoon she told me she called when she thought someone would be home with me so I had someone there for support. She said it didn’t look good. The report showed the mass had a high probability of malignancy, with a possible metastasis on the lymph node. A fine needle lung biopsy was needed. At this point I became very scared. I didn’t know a lot about lung cancer and my search for information gave me some scary results. The 5 year survival rate is not very high. I had terrible thoughts of not being around to see my young daughter grow up.
I had the lung biopsy the following week at the small local hospital closest to us and I was sent to an oncologist to find out the result. My husband took the day off from work (unpaid) and went with me to get the result. We waited a long 40 minutes until we finally met with the oncologist. It was the longest wait of my life. He told us the radiologist did not get the proper sample and I would need another biopsy done at a larger hospital an hour away from where we lived. I had to wait another week for that biopsy and then another 5 days for the result. This last wait was over the 4th of July weekend and I enjoyed every minute of it with my family. The result of the second biopsy was benign! I have histoplasmosis. I was scheduled for a follow up x-ray in 3 months (a month ago). The x-ray showed the mass as stable but there was a little concern about the lymph node. I’m waiting for another follow up in February, but this time it will be another CT scan. I’m still dealing with tests, but I don’t have that fear of cancer that I was dealing with when this all began.
My friends, a handful of jelly friends and my family were amazing. I’m not a religious person, but the prayers from many of my friends meant more to me than I ever thought they could. I really felt like I could feel the energy and positive thoughts that were being sent my way. I was amazingly calm through the whole ordeal and stayed positive as best as I could. Worrying would have made it worse for me and my family and worrying wouldn’t change the outcome. Also, being patient in life is an important lesson that one should learn at an early age. It will help you when you are faced with life’s curveballs. It is good for you, your health and everyone around you.