My Lovely Visit with A Pulmonologist:

So< I had a pulmonary function test last week and I met with him yesterday. Lovely kind fellow with a pleasant personality. He tells me that my PFT was perfect/normal which means I absolutely do not have COPD as my PCP informed me. He said the emphysema was so mild and used the phrase almost undetectable that after the surgery to resect the 1cm nodule he saw no real need to use an inhaler regularly and suggested I use Symbicort only as needed.

I was sent to this fellow by the surgeon who wanted an opinion from him regarding my expressed situation especially around COPD and emphysema (PROBABLY ASTHMA) which could have effected post operative complications. He, the pulmonologist, informed me I should come through the segmentectomy with flying colors.

So, after all of my catastrophizing in a frenzied anxiety, I receive a dose of relief. I still of course must cope with a nuclear stress test tomorrow and if all goes well the surgery and recovery. This doctor and I spoke for 1 hour and 10 minutes. He asked me a million questions and answered a million from me. We laughed. We strategized and explored possible outcomes to prepare for. It was the finest visit I have ever experienced with a doctor except for when I was younger and living in another city and they were personal friends.

Just thought I would keep you all up to date. As I write I am always consciously hopeful that all of you are well mentally and spiritually.

Frank