9 Months After Surgery: Carolyn Rothfeld's Lung Cancer Story

Her primary care physician ordered a CT scan for an unrelated issue where a small nodule turned up incidentally. Her pulmonologist decided to watch it. The repeat scan six months later showed no change. A year after that, however, the nodule had grown. It had also become irregular and semi-solid, which pointed to a stage 1A malignancy.

She was walked down the hall to meet her thoracic surgeon the same day she got the news. That was when her body caught up with the diagnosis and she started to feel a cold surge of worry. She told her pulmonologist what was happening, which in turn he responded with compassion. Once she got the feeling off of her chest, the feeling subsided.

What Recovery From Lung Surgery Actually Takes

Rothfeld had robotic lung surgery. Her surgeon walked her through what the procedure would involve beforehand. She describes her care team, from the surgical staff to the nurses, as available and communicative throughout. They kept her posted and answered her questions. The discomfort afterward was more than she expected, but it was managed. The biggest surprise to her was a sense of vulnerability she had not planned for.

She had also expected to recover quickly. Instead, she learned how long it takes for nerves to heal and for mobility to come back. Nine and a half months later, she is working out at the gym and walking two miles nearly every day. She still gets occasional nerve sensations but she describes them as reminders, not pain. She says she has never regretted going through with the surgery.

Rothfeld describes herself as positive and optimistic. She has two sons and five grandchildren, and she says her family was there for her. She did not feel she was going through it alone.

Her advice is to be proactive, find strong physicians and lean on family and friends. Above all, she says, do not isolate yourself.

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