I was a smoker for about 55 years. I get an annual physical every year. My doctor is very thorough, and he sent me for a CT scan since I had smoked for so long. It came back negative, which was great.
The next year, 2022, when I went for my CT scan, a 12 cm spot was found in the upper right lobe of my lung. Luckily, it was stage 1. It was in a place that required robotic surgery. The surgeon said he only wanted to do the surgery in one operation, so a biopsy was not done beforehand. Once he went in, he removed the nodule, and it was biopsied immediately and was cancerous. He went right back in and removed the upper lobe on my right side.
I would like to mention here that since it was caught so early, I did not require any chemotherapy or radiation. Basically, I never felt any illness. Early detection is the key.
Recovery time was normal, as with any surgery. I just passed my regular screening. I have now been cancer-free for 3 1/2 years. My physician saved my life because he went that extra step. Chest X-rays will not show everything—insist on a CT scan. The CT scan takes about 10 minutes and is painless.
I was 71 when I had the surgery, and I will be 75 in July 2026. By the way, I no longer smoke. Thanks, Doc—I’m really enjoying my grandchildren. The future looks bright.
