Back in early July when I got my second COVID-19 vaccination at a local clinic, I had them do a chest X-ray, too. That X-ray is part of the annual set of tests subsidized by the city, and the only one of the tests that I don't have done at my usual family doctor's clinic. Ironically, Dr. Nishida's love of the newest and best in medical equipment has rendered his X-ray results unacceptable to the city's system: he's gone digital while the city still requires analogue film.
In any case, the clinic called me up the other day to let me know that the official results of the X-ray analysis were ready, and rather ominously said that I'd need to consult with the doctor instead of just picking up the form or having them mail it to me. When I went and spoke to the clinic director, she told me that I'd need to have a CT scan done, to try to determine whether the cloudy spot on my lung is early stage lung cancer. They don't have the necessary equipment, so she gave me a referral to take to somewhere with a good CT scanner. Naturally, I arranged to have it done at the Nishida Clinic.
An incipient lung cancer diagnosis wouldn't be a great surprise, given that until a couple of years ago I'd been a very heavy smoker for several decades. On the other hand, except for one false alarm back in the '80s (it turned out to be the shadow of a rib), every year my chest X-rays have been so clear that numerous doctors have assumed that I was a non-smoker. Nevertheless, I awaited the CT scan results with some trepidation: I'm too busy to be dealing with lung cancer right now, but I'll do whatever I must.
I was pleased to get good news. It turns out that the small amount of haze in the lower right lobe of my lung isn't anything to worry about, and definitely does not appear to be cancer. Great, another bullet dodged. I got the distinct impression that Dr. Nishida was even happier about the diagnosis than I was.
So, it's back to the rehab routine, breathing a little easier now that I don't have to worry--at least for now-- about a new problem.
Posts
