@mayocid1 Hi, Nancy! 5 years ago, I was diagnosed as a 2b. The local surgeon wanted to do a lobectomy and said I would be in the hospital for a week, with the first 2 nights in ICU. That sounded extreme since we had been following since before it was big enough to biopsy, so we sought an opinion at Mayo. A gifted surgeon said with my existing COPD that he did not want to take out that much lung. He recommended removing the wedge with the cancer and the 2 wedges around it. They went in through the back with minimal rib involvement. They had me up walking the first night and out in 4 days. It did spread to one lymph node, so I returned for 4 chemo treatments. And this week I returned for my 5-year check-up, where I remain clear! Yippee!!
The only issue I had with my lung deflating was during the initial biopsy at my local hospital where my lung partially collapsed. Since you are still not comfortable with your choices, would you consider getting another opinion? If travelling to one of the biggies isn't realistic, can you check to see which is the best facility in your area? It wasn't until this happened to me that I saw how dismal the hospital connected to my regular doctor was with lung cancer compared to another nearby hospital. And, how much more expensive it would have cost for the stay they had planned!