Yearly lung screenings helps Middle Tennessee woman see her 82nd birthday

Carol Todd, 82, had been living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for years. The Burns, Tennessee, resident made annual visits with her doctor, Dr. Stacey Vallejo, pulmonologist at Saint Thomas Medical Group. 

Her yearly appointments with Dr. Vallejo also included a CT scan to check her lungs. A low-dose CT screening takes images of your lungs, and may help find lung nodules or cancer early, when it is most treatable. 

Carol was feeling well and had no symptoms suggesting anything was wrong, but this annual visit to see Dr. Vallejo yearly a CT scan detected a small spot on her lungs. 

A historic procedure for the thoracic surgical team

After a series of tests were performed, Carol was diagnosed with lung cancer. Carol was referred to thoracic surgeon Dr. John Lazar, and interventional pulmonologist Dr. Otis Rickman, at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West to receive advance care. Dr. Lazar recommended two procedures to treat her lung cancer that included an Ion robotic navigation bronchoscopy and surgical resection. "No, if you’re going to put me under, just do both the biopsy and the surgery [at the same time.],” she recalled saying to her care team.

Little did Carole know that this request hadn’t been performed at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West. Dr. Lazar informed Carol that although this dual procedure hadn't been performed , he had the experience to do it. Carol had faith in her care team and said to them "Let me be the first." Using advanced robotic technology, Dr. Lazar and Dr. Rickman successfully performed a biopsy and surgery, a first for the hospital.

Minimally invasive surgery for faster recovery

Robotic assisted surgery helps make procedures minimally invasive. That means incisions are small, resulting in tiny scars and less recovery time. Carol started to feel like herself again within a week, and breathing was much easier. 

Months have passed since her procedure and Carol is grateful to have made it to her 82nd birthday, cancer free. She credits the early detection through routine CT scans and the exceptional care she received at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West for her successful outcome. "The care I received caught my lung cancer early and I am just so grateful," she said.

Talk to a doctor about lung cancer screenings

Getting regular preventive care and screenings may help find cancer and other health issues early, when they are most treatable and more treatment options are available. It’s never too early to have a conversation about cancer prevention. Talk with your doctor about your concerns and how you can make lifestyle and diet changes to help support better health. Learn more about our advanced lung and chest program or to schedule an appointment visit ascension.org/saintthomaslungandchest.