Possible cancer diagnosis?

[lostandfound19]

Hi all. I hope this is the right place for this. My mum has had recurring chest infections and bronchitis for a few years; the most recent a month or so ago. She has been for a chest x-ray and a CT scan over the last few weeks, and told us that all was fine. It seems now that she is not fine, actually, and was not telling us the full truth to protect us I suppose. Anyway, it turns out that there is a mass on her lung, and she's been referred for a PET scan in the lung cancer clinic tomorrow. From what I've read online (I know, I know) and on the clinic's website, PET scans are generally used to measure the stage and spread of cancers, rather than being diagnostic iykwim. She says she hasn't been given a diagnosis, but it feels to me like it is inevitable. My sister is going with her to the scan, which she is happy with now. I'm worried that she is still trying to protect us and not telling us everything (which I know is her right).

Does anyone have any experiences with PET scans? We are not in the UK, which I know might make a difference. As far as I know, she hasn't had a biopsy. I suppose it could be possible that this scan is still exploratory? My gut feeling is that we are going to get bad news. She's been a very heavy smoker for 40+ years, has had a nagging cough at night for a while, and keeps getting chest infections. She hasn't lost weight, though, which is something positive I guess.

I'm not really sure why I am posting. I haven't been able to do much work since I found out, and I keep googling, which I know is a pointless thing to do. We had my daughter's birthday party last week and I thought she was a little bit emotional, but she can be in general. I know I just need to wait and see what happens after tomorrow's scan, but my mind is full of the 'what if'.