Laura Kelty

First, I want to thank my sister-in-law, Nancy P. Dofflemyer (Jim's wife) for setting this site up for me. Many of you have asked why (being a non-smoker my entire life) and how this was diagnosed. 

I had pneumonia in June and thankfully listened to my doctor and went for the follow-up chest x-ray after the pneumonia was treated. It was then they saw 2 nodules, one on my left lung(the bigger of the 2) and one on the right. I saw a specialist who sent me for a PET scan. The right had no reaction to the dye but the left showed cancer. The result read, to repeat the scan on the right in 3 months. The Dr. called me and said we will just repeat the scan in 3 months. Well, looking at the results myself, that answer did not sit well with me so I questioned him. He called me back after getting another opinion himself, which was to move forward with a biopsy on the left nodule. Unfortunately, it came back positive for cancer.  

My take away and message to all of you...1) Don't blow-off your follow-up appointments 2) Trust your instincts and never be afraid to question a healthcare professional!  You have to be your own healthcare advocate!!!