Doc said it's been a couple of years since a chest X-ray so it was done. It was suspect so follow-up CAT was done. That was followed be PET scan, a VERY difficult procedure to experience, and data were sent to a Pulmonologist for evaluation. Saw him on a Tuesday and he hoped to get surgery done by that Friday. Week and a half later I was admitted for removal of the upper lobe of the left lung that included a suspect node. It was stage 1 cancer and surgeon expects chemotherapy will not be needed but if it is it will probably be the benign type that doesn't cause the flurry of reactions. If surgery wasn't done he expected an 18-24 month lifespan. I was released from the hospital 10 minutes short of 72 hours after admitting and have 2 weeks of no driving and 6 weeks of lifting no more than 15#. Thought at first the 2 weeks was overkill but with reduced lung capacity I'm winded just walking down the hall, much less driving then walking around the store then driving home, the 2 weeks might be too hopeful for me. Do yourself and family a favor and request standard check-ups if they're no scheduled!
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19 years ago