Would you like to follow along? Is it Lung Cancer or not?

[PonyPals]

I am only posting in here for traffic as I need some hand holding I guess.

My dad 68 (who is awesome and I am extremely close to) has not been feeling well, horrible cough and night sweats. Took him to the GP and they thought pneumonia. Same day Xray followed by a CT scan as they saw something on the lungs (can’t complain about Australian health care, they have been amazing)

they told us he has a 5.3cm mass with necrosis (dying tissue) which is what is probably causing the cough.

Referred to the lung cancer centre and they did a series of tests.

brain CT - clear
PET - clear no spread apart from mass and nearby nodes enlarged
Broncho biopsy- and we just got results and they are inconclusive… they said no malignant cells were found but some abnormal cells were found but they don’t know what they are.

They are still convinced it is cancer but want him to take antibiotics for 2 weeks and then do a CT guided biopsy.

i am so confused… one second it is cancer and now they are saying it might be an infection but most likely still Lung Cancer
I am so stressed and feel like I can’t eat or function

Oh @Jo162 I am so so sorry to hear your results. When I started this thread I wasn’t even sure I knew what I wanted from it but I am glad that you found it and hope it gives you a tiny bit of comfort.

where abouts in the world are you from?

We got the results from the biopsy and no cancer is detected. However the doctors are certain he has cancer but they just can’t prove it. So now tomorrow we do the CT scan

Thank you so much PonyPals, i had the MRI yesterday re Liver i got tgere a bit earlier as i collapsed at home, i think due to medicatiion for blood pressure, but ended up having MRI, then CT for head (no cancer) in brain yet thankfully & then had to wait 4 hours for another CT from chest to abdomen, just had a phone call off Oncology nurse & she said its fingers crossed its no in my liver else i'l have even less time! On another note i am so pleased re your father fingers crossed he definately hasnt cancer anywhere.xxx

My only advice having been through similar with both parents is to take it one day at a time. And until you have been told categorically he has a particular condition, proceed as though he hasn't. This is not about living in false hope, its about meeting challenges one at a time. At this point there is no way of knowing what your dad's journey is going to be. It could be relatively easy, or it could be very challenging. But now, today, he has not been told anything catastrophic. So stay in the moment and meet tomorrow when it comes.

Do you have treatment plan yet Jo? It's good the scans was fast turnaround at least

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. I thought I would come back and update this in case anyone goes through the same thing in the future.
we went to see the specialist and the latest CT scan is showing that the tumour has decreased by 2cm. The specialist said that based on all this dad doesn’t have cancer and they said it was just a very bad infection. They can’t tell what caused it or if it doesn’t turn into something malignant in the future but at this stage they just want to monitor it so we just need to do another CT scan in 3 months.
we are still all in shock. This is actually a miracle and a second chance at life.
I will never forget how after the first appointment my dad said that maybe he will just have to take some pills and it will go away… and I thought wow he is so naive and this will be a long road.. and after all that He was right.
I wish you all the best @Jo162stay strong and turn to us, if you need to.

@PonyPals that's amazing news about your dad, such a relief for all of you x @Jo162 sending the biggest of hugs to you x here if you need anything x

Amazing. I am so happy for you.
I know how it feels when it goes the other way, and I wouldn't wish it on anybody.
Hope you can get some mental rest now - you must be exhausted.

this is the first time I’ve seen this thread pop up but I’m so pleased for your dad and yourself @PonyPalsplease enjoy the 2nd chance together. @Jo162I hope you have the best treatment possible wish it was different for you X