I had a CT scan scheduled for 11 AM and then an appointment with Dr. Becker after lunch. By the time we met, he had reviewed the CT scan. He began with telling me there was some good news and some bad news. The bad news was that there was an 80-85% chance that I had cancer. I guess the good news was that it was probably Bronchiolo-alveolar Carcinoma (BAC) and was apparently early stage, or that it still could be something else.
He took me to a computer station and pulled up the CT images from October and the current one. Side by side the change was apparent; the edges were more definite and in the latter image there were branch-like or root-like forms within the area of the tumor.
Dr. Becker explained that if the nodule was cancerous and was BAC, it would most likely be operable. They might take out the entire upper left lobe or just take out the nodule. Taking out the lobe was the usually preferred operation. I somehow came out with a cavalier attitude and told a number of people that if it were cancerous, they would just whack off the upper left lobe. Later after I learned more, I realized that it was not so simple.
I did ask him about the long-term effect of having the upper lobe removed. He told me that the upper lobe accounts for 30% of the left lungs capacity. But that the lower lobes were where the bulk of the work was done. So it should not effect me very much, and that I might not even notice it in daily life. He did add that I would not be capable of running a marathon. (But then I’m not capable now.)
Dr. Becker planned to review the CT scans with several of the pulmonary surgeons at NWMFF to discuss the recommended course of action but suggested that a needle biopsy would be justified.
Two days later, he called to tell me that everyone agreed that a needle biopsy was recommended. It was scheduled to take place in less than two weeks.
On reflection we have realized how lucky I have been. First, I had Dr. Rosenbaum pushing me to get the CT scan in the first place. Secondly, had I not delayed getting that scan, the nodule might not have been evident, and I would have believed that everything was o.k. until it was too late.
