I truly beg you and everyone to get a second opinion. Different doctors and surgeons treat differently. You need to be armed with as much information as possible to understand all options and possibilities so you can make a good decision about what is best for you!
Long story alert!
I turned 50 this year and lead a very active lifestyle, I had no symptoms. I have a family history of heart disease so had undergone a CT for calcium score and they saw one of the my ground glass nodules (upper left lobe about 11mm) which was called out on the CT report to follow up with Pulmologist. After follow up CT 12/2020 finding 4 nodules, largest 11 mm - the Pulmonologist and primary, “most of the time these are nothing, but could be a slow growing cancer - need to follow).
Another CT 6 months, upper left lobe nodule change to 13 mm (1.3cm) and another small one popped up in that lobe too. Do you want to do a lung needle biopsy on that tumor or wait and see what happens in another 6 months. I opted for the needle biopsy - performed by my pulmonologist. Super scary going in, but it wasn’t a terrible procedure and we got the biopsy and identified the cancer. I understand this was a very small tumor to do a needle biopsy they stated the others are just too small to do needle biopsy or in location that is not good for that either.
Definately get second and/or third opinions. You need to be comfortable throughout the entire process, you will not have regrets if you are well informed and feel that you have the best care. My first oncologist was great and because of that I would have his recommendation/opinion, but luckily I met with each specialty department also to learn about my options. The thoracic surgeon said lobectomy did not present other options and really wanted to do it that week ahead of their team meeting to discuss my case and present findings. I am not a super religious person, but I have. I doubt there was a higher power involved in lighting and guiding the path to second opinion. I got in to Mayo and am so grateful I did.
After meeting with everyone except the thoracic surgeon I had decided I’ll do proton beam radiation. My goal was to preserve as much lung capacity as possible because I have these other nodules to think about too. I am not ready to slow down any time soon. Then I met with Dr. Shen, Mayo Thoracic surgeon and all but told him, I don’t need you I’ve made up my mind. We talked anyway, he declared he wouldn’t consider taking the whole lobe at this point, he would do a wedge resection to preserve as much lung as possible - recognizing I am an active person and have other nodules to consider may need treatment someday. Hold the phone, you mean there is another option and not just take a lobe? About-face! Gave it a few days to marinate and moved forward with the surgery. I was so scared going in, I mean it’s a vital organ! The recovery was quick. With the approval from my medical team, i started lower body workouts about 4 weeks after surgery and at 6 weeks returned to High Intensity Interval training and jogging. I do notice a slight change in my breathing when exerted, but it has been getting better all the time. While I don’t want to go through the surgery again, knowing there is a strong likelihood, I want to be as healthy as possible.
I am blessed for now and try not to think about what these other nodules will do to me someday. I get a little anxiety now coming up to my scan in December, but truly trying to leave it alone and wait patiently.