Maybe I need a new Dr .. 😢

[1155Cat]

I love my pulmonologist ... but sometimes I feel he is not as up to date on new stuff (like Stents) he would not refer me to get an evaluation for the stents !!

I have always been able to get air in .. just can’t get it back out !!

Before my first lung reduction I was at 19% lung function !!

I have never been on oxygen, last time I was checked I was at 32% lung function because I had the lung reductions !

I have had a right upper lobe reduction in 2010. In 2014, they were going to take half of my upper left lobe, but ended up having to take the whole upper lobe because of a nodule. After my left lung reduction 12 days in the hospital I was sent back to Florida and to go back at 6 weeks checkup . 7 days after being released I developed a fluid filled bubble on what was left of the left lung, because the chest pump quit working ... went to ER in Clearwater Florida, so they had to insert a new chest tube to clear the fluid filled sack on the lung. I only got the lung reductions because I went for a second opinion ...My reg pulmonary dr was ready to put me on the transplant list ... I was so glad I went for that 2nd opinion doctor .. 2 weeks later I had my check up appt in Birmingham .. 2 weeks later I had my first lung reduction done in Birmingham !!

I have had my 6 month CTSCAN because they are watching a spot in my lower left lobe ... but my dr has said nothing about this past CTScan ... it came back as :

1. Mild aortic atherosclerosis

2.Herniation of abdominal fat thru in the superior pole of the right kidney through a defect in the posterior right hemidisphragm consistent with a moderate right side Bochdalek hernia and right kidney has a 1.8 cm cyst on it !

3. There is significant postsurgical changes involving the lungs bilaterally.

They can’t see the spot they have been watching from a ct scan or on a mri ... they have to go in and do a laparoscopic surgery to see the spot and take pictures to check for changes.

Guess I am kinda disappointed that he does not find 1,2, or 3 concerning !!

Think I should let my Gastro dr see it and see what he says !!! Just not sure what to do with this !

[R2B_John Moderator]

I would suggest asking him why he is not concerned with each of the three.

It's possible that it is a good thing he isn't worried!

For example, mild atherosclerosis is said to be quite common in aging. Could be it doesn't warrant intervention at this time......but obviously you would need to hear that from him.

Postsurgical changes in the lungs mat simply mean that they appear different on the CT scan than before......which would make sense since they ARE different. Again, it would be best to hear that explained by him or another clinician familiar with your case history.

Make it a Breathe Easy week,

John

[1155Cat in reply to R2B_John]

Thank you ... I have decided to just to ease my mind .. setting an Appt with my primary care Dr and ask him about it all !!

[Feelingblessed2013]

Go to your primary care doctor.

[1155Cat in reply to Feelingblessed2013]

I set an Appt !! Thanks 😊