I met with the Radiation team at Carbone Cancer Center today at UW. They said the nodule on my lung is most likely cancer. Regular nodules usually aren’t perfectly circular like mine is and they usually don’t consistently grow in size. Lymph nodes also don’t consistently grow in size. Thus, they are calling this a recurrence and want to treat it.

Radiation is very precise and will take care of the nodule completely. The only side effect is fatigue and he said that will just last a week or so. Risks are I could develop a second type of cancer, but the probability is like 5% after 20 years. I’m more susceptible to a rib fracture due to the radiation causing the bones to be fragile there. Lastly, my lung could become inflamed but they have anti inflammatory drugs to treat that and also pretty rare.

My second appointment today they put me in a CT machine and sized me up for my future radiation appointments. This consisted of them giving me three little freckle tattoos on my stomach and sides so they know where to line me up at. They also had me practice breathing in and holding my breath while putting me through the CT. They want to make sure their measurements are correct so they can be as accurate as possible with the radiation area.

It’ll take about 10 days for the doctor to review my scans from today and decide on a plan. I’ll then have five radiation appointments. Each will take about 20 minutes and I’ll be able to get them done in two weeks. Thus, I’ll be done by mid to end of June.

I’m feeling okay with this news. Of course, I hate to hear recurrence, but this seems very treatable and very easy/quick treatment. 

Hannah