Beth Mathis knew something wasn’t right when a simple task left her completely out of breath. Last August, while moving a heavy picture frame upstairs with a friend, she found herself unable to catch her breath, a moment that deeply concerned her. At her next appointment with her primary care doctor, she shared what had happened. Initially, asthma was suspected, but Beth didn’t stop there. Inspired by a friend’s recent experience with a coronary calcium scan, she scheduled the test for herself. What she didn’t expect was that it would reveal a suspicious spot on her lung.
As a breast cancer survivor, Beth understood the importance of acting quickly. After facing delays and difficulties with a specialist out of town, she turned to SGMC Health and was referred to Vivek Yadav, MD, Pulmonologist and Critical Care Specialist. Dr. Yadav thoroughly reviewed her previous scans and ordered a new CT with contrast. Given the findings, he recommended a bronchoscopy using the Ion Robot-assisted technology, a state-of-the-art tool that allows physicians to reach and biopsy small nodules in the lung with unmatched precision. This allows lung cancers to be caught at a much earlier stage.
Soon after the procedure, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Patrick Murrah, MD, called to confirm the diagnosis: it was cancer. But the good news was that it had been detected at Stage 0, and all of Beth’s lymph nodes were negative for disease.
“That robot saved my life,” Beth said. “They were able to catch the cancer so early, before it even had a chance to grow.”
The following week, Dr. Murrah performed a robotic surgery to remove the lower lobe of her right lung. Beth spent just two days in the ICU before returning home to recover.
Her experience at SGMC Health, she says, was nothing short of exceptional. “The doctors, nurses, and staff were wonderful,” Beth shared. “Dr. Yadav and Dr. Murrah’s teams were always quick to return my calls and answered every question with care. They explained every step of the process and helped me feel at ease.”
Beth credits the advanced technology and compassionate care at SGMC Health for giving her a second chance. “I can’t say enough good things about the team that took care of me,” she said. “The ICU nurses were so kind and attentive, and I felt truly supported from start to finish.”
To others who may be experiencing symptoms or just have a feeling something’s not right, Beth has a simple but powerful message:
“Early detection is the key to everything. If something feels off, talk to your doctor, get the tests, and don’t be afraid to speak up. You have to advocate for your own health, because it can make all the difference.”