In 2001, I underwent radiation treatment for head and neck tumors. They have pre-cancer cells, (whatever that means). I nearly starved to death and required a feeding tube for six weeks after treatment. Recently, I had a CT scan of my upper boddy and the doctor found a nodule-type mass in my right lung. He wants to wait three months and repeat the CT scan to see if the mass has gotten larger and possibly biopsy it. I have been a smoker for 42 years and this seem odd to me. I don't understand why a mass of any size would be put on hold.

I have been getting CT scans every year, for the past four, as part of an early detection study. This year they found some suspicious new spots in some lobes. Have to go back in December for another look. I am hoping it was just an infection like they said it might be, but my husband, still a smoker, gas emphysema and refuses to go back for another scan. He says whatever time he has left, is what he has left. I feel he is so selfish and doesn't care if he leaves me alone. I also have Fibromyalgia, which robbed me of my work. I can't stand the thought of watching him die, when he could be getting help. I feel he is being an ostrich on the sand with this attitude and not a loving spouse. We've been married almost 25 years, but I feel like I am alone. Why would someone not get help they need? Why does he not see that getting to something early might lessen the severity? Now I feel that I will probably be diagnosed with it and he will outlive me. All your stories were informative though, I thank you for sharing them.

I know what everyone is going through, I lost my husband at the age of 50 and we did not know he had cancer. This disease is a very ugly one. I am going trough a real tough time with out him.