I have a consultation with a thoracic surgeon in about two weeks, and we'll be scheduling my surgical lung biopsy at that time. I have no idea what to expect, and I'm pretty freaked out about it. I'd love to know more about it from someone who has gone through it, if possible.

I'm still in shock that this is even necessary. I am a relatively healthy, 28-year old, non-smoking woman. I have noticed difficulty breathing lately, and mentioned it to my doctor, who took a spirometer reading. It came back at 38% of expected. A high-resolution CT scan was read as abnormal. I have further pulmonary function testing scheduled for next week, and the consult with the thoracic surgeon is the week after. I can't even manage to get my mind around the idea that there is something seriously wrong with me. Is there any possibility that this is going to be something that is easily fixed? And how scary is the biopsy going to be? How dangerous is it? I have a 14-month-old daughter who needs me to be healthy for her. Is that even a possibility any more?

I wish there was something I could tell you to ease your fears, but the worst fear is the unknown.

Lung diseases are hard to diagnose, hence the need for surgery. It could be a hundred different things, some of them easily treated so please try not to worry until you get the results, I know easier said than done.

An important thing to remember is that your dr works for you. Make sure you are comfortable with the surgeon and make sure that a good Pulmanary doctor is going to read the results. Make very sure you are comfortable with your pulm doc and that he or she is answering all of your questions and not trying to just pat you on the head. Make a list of questions before you go in and make sure they are addressed before you leave. I say to write them down because questions are easy to forget in the emotion of the moment.

The procedure itself is not easy. My husband had to have it done. It required a two day hospital stay in which he had a chest tube for 14 hours. The worst part was having that tube in and than having it pulled out. Your incesion will bother you for quite awhile but hopefully you will be given pain meds to control it.

Please keep us posted on your condition. I will send lots of good thoughts your way.

Caregiver ~ How long does the pain at the incision site last? And how does it limit you, if it does at all? I have a baby and we live in a split-level house, so I wind up carrying her up and down stairs all day. Is that going to be a problem for a long time after the biopsy? Thanks for any advice you can give, and best wishes to you and your husband!

I would talk to your doc about limitations after surgery. By the time my husband had it done his activities were very limited anyway due to his condition. I would guess though that carrying a child would be out at least until your stiches have time to heal. Is there anybody that can help you out for awhile?