My mom likely has cancer

Since there hasn’t been an official diagnosis, just let me know if this is not allowed or the right forum. My mom is 64 years old and she’s been a smoker since she was 12. She is heavily addicted. She’s tried to quit but nothing has worked.

Over the last two years or so, she goes in for a CT every 6-9 months. Well last time she went they found a “nodule” — 15mm. Apparently she’s had them in the past but much smaller (2-3mm) and they’ve gone away. Obviously given size and speed of growth with the latest her doctors are worried. She’s going in for a PET scan next week. I think after that we should know if it’s cancerous? Not sure if it’s after that or if there’s a surgery as the next step to do a biopsy to find out? I don’t know.

I’m terrified and struggling and we don’t even know what it is yet. Any advice or suggestions to carry with me through this would be so appreciated.

I don’t know what to expect. I think she’s got feelings of shame and embarrassment, she doesn’t really talk or open up about her health to me.

In the back of my mind I guess I always thought this day would come. We all know smoking is terrible. She started using oxygen a year or so ago, not 24/7 just when she goes out and walks “a lot”. She’s got a horrible cough and loses her breath easily.

I love her. I’m terrified of losing her. I want to help but feel so useless. I’ve never dealt with anything like this. Any help, advice, positive thoughts you’re willing to share will help me get through whatever happens next.