First let me say I am so greatfull for finding this newsgroup.  
Second let me introduce myself  I am Frank I am 43 years old and just recently retired from the US Navy after 26 years,
during my departing physical the Navy found nothing wrong with me how ever 3 months later during a physical from the V A
the discovered a Tumor in my left lower lobe of course a CT Scan was ordered and it confirmed the tumor. My pulminary
Dr. stated if this is cancer you are at a stage one and a simlple operation will be a quick fix.  A needle biopsy was
attempted but I ended up with a defalted lung and after a week stay in the hospital a Petscan was ordered
the Petscan showed activity and an additional tumor in my right center  lobe I was transfered to the care of a thorasic
Surgeon who told me that surgery is not an option you are a stage four. When ask what , how did I get to stage four in a
mater of weeks he said the cancer is in your blood and started to spread.  When asked how do we know this is cancer he
said well the left lung from the biopsy when told the biopsy failed he said I wil put this in front of the tumor board
and see what they say.  Well 45 minutes after I arrive home the same day the Dr. cals me up and says I am sorry we have
no biopsy no tissue sample so I cant stage you or diagnose you.  Two days latter on monday he calls and says I would
like for you to come in on wednesday, wednesday he tells me I want to admit you to the hospital on friday and cut your
left lower lobe out six weeks later I want to do a second surgery on your right center lobe then we will wait and hope
nothing else shows up.  "what" When asked about a needle biopsy he said  no one at the Naval hospital would do one on me
because they lacked the skill. When ask about giving a refferal to someplace else he said theres a person in the Navy in
San Diego that could do it but he felt this treatment was a better bet. When ask about a refferal to a lung Cancer
specialist he said he was a lung doctor.  He then said do you want this treatment I told him I needed time to think
about it he said you have until tommorrow I am on Vacation for two weeks on the close of business friday and have other
surgeies to perform when I get back so call my nurse by noon tomorrw.  I left and decided I did not want the treatment
unless I had the Needle Biopsy I emailed a local University and their cancer reasearch center to one of their proffesors
/ head onc Doctors who told me she would love to see me in her clinic of course insurance will not cover this but better
broke and under treatment then well off and ill or dying.  After only one week I am scheduled for a needle biopsy on
Tuesday the 16th of March and she says the results should be back by friday so we can start to set up treatment the
wanted to do a PET/CT Scan also but my insurance TRICARE wil not cover it with out a refferal from my Dr. or the naval
Hospital. I went to see the Patient relations people and filed a complaint about the inadequate treatment and told them
I refuse to see this doctor again and to release me to out side care.  
Well enough just scared and wanting to know should I of just did the operation or was a needle biopsy needed?  
I cant believe after 26 years of service my whole adult life now this, all my other test showed normal PFTs, Stress test
for the heart I just five months agao ran 2 1/2 miles in 11.75 minutes now My chest hurts I found every little pain
makes me thnk the cancer is spreading, in june of 2003 my sister died of a brain anerism she hd lung cancer and was a
stage four she seemed to beat it or at least after three years was told she was in remission, but I don't think they
ever checked to see if it was a tumor. Thank You all for listening I pray for you all daily peace and goodness be with
all.

Hugs and Happy Thoughts

Frank  (aka) "stewburner"