I have been having a chronic cough/bronchitis for several months, had a chest exray, and the hospital prescribed an antibiotic, inhaler, and a cough syrup. The next day, a doctor from the hospital called and said i needed to make an appointment with my doctor, as the exray showed "diffuse chronic change" in my lungs, all over. (from last exray about a year ago), which showed "abnormallies". I was diagnosed with pneumonia, and this call has set me off the edge, as it is saturday, and i can't even call my doctor. He said i should have a cat scan of my lungs, and a follow up exray. What would cause a "diffuse chronic change" in you lungs? Of course i am thinking emphysema, lung cancer...although he did say there was no sign of growths. Any insight as to what would cause this change to my lungs? I am a smoker, who did stop after leaving the emergency room...but damage, whatever it is, has already been done. Any ideas?