The PET scan will indicate places on your body that are suspected cancer but it is no replacement for a biopsy. Sounds like your doctors are going straight to surgery? So I would ask them why they aren't doing a bronchoscopy or a needle biopsy before surgery. How are they sure it is cancer before invasive surgery?

When they did my biopsy on my lung it took about a month for them to schedule it! That's not the usual though. I'm not sure why it took so long because I had had a PET scan right away and it showed that there was something on my lung, and they knew I had cancer on my intestine at the time. It all depends. I think on how quick they can get you in for a biopsy, but if they think that's cancer they're going to probably try to move quickly. I also am so happy when I hear stories like the above person that messaged you and told you that they've been living for 23 years after they were found to have lung cancer. It's amazing what they can do now. In the last 3 years they've come leaps and bounds. Lung cancer is not a death sentence anymore. It certainly isn't good, but it's not the death sentence it used to be. I think anyone on here will tell you that!
I would not blame yourself for not pushing things because the doctors thought it was GERD. I mean you're just a person. How are you? To know, you're telling them what's going on come on the symptoms you're having. They should have probably been more proactive since this is what they are paid for. There's nothing you can do about it now, but don't blame yourself for sure. If you feel uncomfortable with any doctor you see, I recommend moving on to someone else as soon as possible. Sometimes you want to wait until they get things under control to make a switch, but I always think it's important to like your doctor and feel that you can ask them things without feeling like your being talked to in a condescending way, or that you cant ask questions. I hope the results will come today, but I don't like that they put a stat on the results of the PET scan. That usually means that they're seeing something that they want someone to look at as soon as possible. Like the person said above though, have someone around when you get the results and try not to panic. Because I'm telling you that there is many options now along with immunotherapy. That's why it's really important that you do find out which strain of cancer it is. If it turns out to be that. And it's very important that you get genetic testing done because that will tell them how well immunotherapy is going to work on you, etc. I have had numerous rounds of genetic testing done. Fortunately, my genetic testing has always been free, they are interested in the mutations that I have in my DNA because I have Lynch syndrome and I have some things going on that they've never seen before with the lynch syndrome in DNA, so that makes them very interested... 😞. Your doctors will probably recommend that if this turns out to be a cancer. But let's cross our fingers it's not!
Keep us updated. I'm hoping you'll get the results back today or tomorrow. We are all thinking about you here!
Angela

@sayitisntso- Good morning. A PET scan is a technique that uses radioactive substances known as radiotracers to visualize and measure changes in metabolic processes and other physiological activities, including blood flow, regional chemical composition, and absorption. It is also used to evaluate organs and/or tissues for the presence of disease or other conditions. The most common use of PET is in the detection of cancer and the evaluation of cancer treatment. PET scans show hot spots where a lot of blood is moving, indicating various situations. It doesn't diagnose but gives lots of information so your doctor can, along with a CT scan and biopsy.

When I told my husband I didn't like my surgeon, he said it didn't matter. Surgeons aren't supposed to have personalities. They are supposed to be surgeons. lol. And he was right and 26 years ago he's my friend and one of the funniest people I know.

However long it takes for your test results to take, is the time that you need to wait. I think that it's in your best interest to find a way to calm down, either with long walks or medication. I could feel my breathing increase as I read this post. WOW! You will probably need your family around you for support and care, so there's a good chance that they will pick up your anxiety. A support system is imperative during a cancer journey.

Your anxiety is palpable as it should be. Cancer sucks and is frightening. Waiting makes things seem worse. But until you have your results, and results that you understand, you have what I say is "free-floating anxiety".

Lung cancer is not a death sentence. There are many advances that have occurred over the past several years, many of which are considered more chronic than fatal. My cancer, Multi-focal adenocarcinoma is considered a chronic cancer, at least in my case.

The next time you go to the doctor, any doctor concerning cancer or possible new tests, bring someone with you 1`to take notes. I doubt that anyone can remember explanations alone, even with copies of test results.

I love your use of feeling like you are in a hurricane that's going very fast. You are, but you can control the speed by researching every term that you don't understand. You can reduce your feeling of being out of control by making a list of priorities. These will probably change as each test result comes back.

Keep a journal of your feelings and necessary tasks as they come up. By writing things down and setting priorities, you will be taking control of your personal life, your self-care, and anything else that you consider important.

Next, log things that you will need to do for each test result. If it's a biopsy, the time and date and any need for transportation and/or home care.

I hope that you will keep us up-to-date on your test results.

Merry

PS.
The PET scan is going to show any cancer or infectious areas, and they do use it to help with staging. Biopsy will confirm, and tissue samples will be taken to find out what sort of cancer, etc. If it is cancer they are going to want you to make an appointment with an oncologist. You may have to make an appointment with the special oncologist the deals with the sort of cancer that you have. All this is a process, and it all takes time. It's enough to make you go crazy when you're going through it. We all understand! It sounds like you're really learning a lot on here and reading all the posts which is great. The more information you have when you talk to your doctors and understand the process the better.

As far as seeing that doctor that you read was condescending, a lot of times. People only post reviews when they are disappointed. You don't see the good reviews. If your doctor recommended him I would go see him and if you don't like him, you can always change. Some questions that I would ask would be anything that you are questioning in your head now, time frame for a bronchoscopy, time frames to get back the biopsy, if they are going to do surgery, how long are you going to be out? Are you going to need help at home and if so, how long. How long will you be in the hospital? Is there any other options that you may have besides surgery? Are they going to do chemo if it's cancer, and are you a candidate for immunotherapy? Some of these questions are probably for your oncologist (if you need one) but they can definitely be asked of your surgeon also. All the doctors work together. They're all sharing information about you and what they're going to do.
Please let us know if you hear anything. Thinking of you!

"Are there any top 5 or 10 questions I should ask the Thoracic Surgeons that I’m meeting with on Tues. that you did or wished you had asked?"

After the PET scan they will have a good idea of where the suspicious areas are located. At that point they should be able to tell you how they plan to get a biopsy of the area. Needle biopsy and bronchoscopy biopsy are least invasive methods, but depending on where the tumor is, they may not be able to reach it easily. If the doctors can't collect the biopsy any other way, they will suggest surgery to collect the biopsy and then if it tests positive for cancer they will continue on while you are under to remove the tumor. So I would want to know their plan for getting the the biopsy. I would ask;

1. Is it possible to do a needle biopsy to diagnose the cancer?
2. Is it possible to do a bronchoscopy to diagnose the the cancer?
3. If they are planning to do surgery to collect the biopsy then I would ask why they can't do a needle biopsy or a bronchoscopy (both less invasive) to collect the biopsy.
4. After they collect the biopsy will they send it away for a complete genomic work up? (You will need genomic testing of the biopsy to see if targeted cancer therapy is an option.)

5. Is it possible to avoid surgery and use SBRT (radiation therapy) to kill the cancer instead of surgery? What are the advantages of radiation to surgery? (if you have other health issues, you may not be strong or healthy enough for surgery and radiation might be a better option.)

If it is decided that you are going to need surgery to the chest, then I would ask;

1. Is there going to be pain while you are in the hospital? What happens if your pain is not managed at the hospital? Is there someone on duty 24/7 at the hospital who can increase your pain medication in the middle of the night when your surgeon is off duty? How do you contact that person if you need them?

2. What will this surgery do to your breathing? Are you going to be short of breath for the rest of your life? Slightly short of breath or severely short of breath? Will you still be able to go up a flight of stairs without stopping?

3. Is there going to be long term pain in your chest area years after surgery? (I still have pain in my chest scar and it has been 23 years since surgery! I can't take pain meds so I just had to learn to live with it.)

After surgery and they remove the tumor you will get a pathology report with more details of your surgery. It will also discuss any nearby nodes that were removed and biopsied. Depending on the pathology report, you may need chemo or radiation following surgery. It just depends on what they find when they open up your chest.

I hope this gives you some idea of the process. There's much more but I don't want to clutter things up with too much detail.