@hopeful33250 She was not helpful and had awful bedside manner. She refused to do a PFT for another 6 months. The respiratory therapist who did the PFT had me use an albuterol inhaler halfway through, and remarked that my breathing improved with it. She suggested I make use of mine more, and that I discuss a maintenance inhaler with the doctor. The pulmonologist didn't get back to me about the results until a month later and said via Portal message that "asthma is noted." I never had asthma before the surgery, I guess post-lobectomy it's like I have asthma sometimes? I had to message her back to ask about the maintenance inhaler, she didn't suggest it. Her nurse messaged back to say I can have one with "proper oral hygiene." I was very annoyed, I asked "Can you tell me what that entails? I can guess, but I've never had to use a maintenance inhaler so it would be helpful to spell it out for me." At my friend's insistence I also asked for a spacer, which has helped me get the powder in my throat rather than sprayed on my tongue. I'm still not sure this dosage is enough, I don't feel super different on the maintenance inhaler, but leaning more on the albuterol in freezing temperatures, on humid days, and before any heavy cardio has made a difference.

At my initial visit, the pulmonologist also acted like I was a hypochrondriac for asking about pulmonary therapy, saying it seemed like I had "unresolved anxiety." About having had cancer?? Or having difficulty breathing months later? Are you kidding?? Yes, I know mine was a "best-case scenario," but the diagnosis process felt traumatic, not least because of the additional false positives and extra biopsy, and I did not recover well for some time from the lobectomy.

It's on my to-do list to find a new pulmonologist. Do you have one? Do you have any advice?