@harley123
Hi Tom, I’m Juliette. I was diagnosed with stage III non small lung cancer December 2019 at 45 when an abdominal x-ray for a GI referral showed a tumor in my right lung. I was in complete shock. Some of the comments already given I will echo. Getting a second opinion is reassuring in feeling confident in your treatment plan. I got a second opinion at Mayo and followed through with all my treatments there. When two oncologist tell you the same thing it is very reassuring. I just told the first doctor I trusted him and liked him very much but wanted a second opinion for the reassurance. A good oncologist will not be offended by that and will happily do the referral for you if that is what you choose. I would also echo Tom’s comments on genetic testing. I was anxious to start treatment once I knew there was this enemy inside me but the genetic testing is vital in a treatment plan. I found out I have the EGFR Exon 19 mutation in my tumor. A friend sent me a book by Greg Anderson, Cancer 50 Things To Do when I was diagnosed. The author is a stage IV lung cancer survivor and the book has a very positive message and advice. I read it twice during the first few weeks after my diagnosis waiting for genetic tests to come back and start treatment. My husband found lung cancer survivor stories to share with me as well. Remember the statics for lung cancer are behind. Some of the new treatments have not been around for 5 years so statics do not reflect those advancements.
Please take care and wish you luck on your treatments.