Hi @csherry06. Congrats on quitting smoking. That's a huge accomplishment. You mentioned that they diagnosed you as stage IV, did you have an earlier biopsy? Scans are certainly helpful in diagnosing lung cancer, as they are pieces of the puzzle. A biopsy tells us what specific type of cancer it is, or if it is something else altogether. Our lungs are very sensitive and can react to many things.
As a stage IV lung cancer patient myself, I have had a few bronchoscopies. Generally, the procedure is well tolerated, with some coughing and throat irritation after the procedure. Will you have a light anesthesia for the procedure? I've had light and a general anesthesia when they were going after a nodule deeper into the lung and using a robotic procedure.
You posted in the Breast Cancer group. Did/Do you also have breast cancer?

You can find the lung cancer group with many helpful members here:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/lung-cancer/

Hi csherry06, I am so sorry this is happening to you. So many people here can relate. It IS like a bad dream, living nightmare that you wake up to every morning. Congrats on making it to 70. I am 71 end of the month.
I've had 4 bronchoscopies over the last 25 years. It is not difficult at all. You will check into the pre-op and it is like most any other hospital procedure. They will prep you in pre-op and you will have to "smoke" the peace pipe which is a lidocaine vaporizer of some sort. Then they will wheel you into a cold room where they do the bronchoscopy. You will most likely be under for the whole procedure. Then they roll you out to recovery like usual procedure. The only problem I had with the last brocho was I had very sore throat for a few days. Very doable especially since you have no other health problems. I wish you best of luck on your treatments. < 3 < 3 < 3