Local Downhill Skier Survives an Uphill Battle With Lung Cancer

An avid skier, Allentown resident Anita Krick, 74, found herself extremely tired after schussing down the slopes one day eight years ago. Visits to her primary care doctor and consultation at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) revealed she had congestive heart failure. However, there was another surprise in store. While she was being monitored and treated for her heart condition, clinicians discovered a lung nodule.

“I’ve never had anything but great care at LVHN. I trust them implicitly.” - Anita Krick

Krick had what is called a “ground glass nodule,” which has a hazy, nonsolid appearance on a computed tomography (CT) scan. These nodules are attributed to causes such as infections and often resolve or disappear on their own. Only about 20 percent of ground glass nodules grow or become more solid over time, which might indicate early-stage lung cancer.

Krick was referred to pulmonologist Brian Civic, MD, with LVPG Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and was monitored every six months and then once a year for several years. “What to do with these nodules isn’t always well defined,” Dr. Civic says. “We weigh whether they should be followed, biopsied or removed based on factors such as size and observed growth. It comes down to judgment in discussion with the patient.”

In August 2022, the scans showed Krick’s nodule had developed a solid component, and an initial biopsy was conducted. “It’s unusual that the biopsy didn’t show what it was – but it came back inconclusive,” Dr. Civic says. “We couldn’t be sure that it was negative for lung cancer. Anita had good lung function and could tolerate surgery, so we referred her to Richard Chang, MD, Chief, Section of Thoracic Surgery at LVHN.”  

Krick had already made up her mind when she met Dr. Chang. “I told him I wanted it out and to get me in right away,” she says. Dr. Chang removed a portion of Krick’s lung in October 2022. The nodule was biopsied during the surgery and was confirmed to be invasive adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that starts in the glands that line the organs – in this case, the lungs.

“Anita’s cancer was at the top of her right lung. We were able to get all of it and leave some of the right lobe intact,” Dr. Chang says. “Testing of her lymph nodes showed that the cancer hadn’t spread, so she didn’t need radiation or chemotherapy.”

Concerned about getting back to her activities – including skiing – Krick asked Dr. Chang if the surgery could be done robotically rather than with traditional open surgery, which would require a major incision. He said that if robotic surgery was possible, he would do it that way. They prepared for both approaches just in case.

“When I woke up, Dr. Chang said they were able to do robotic-assisted surgery. I have no scars except the one for the chest tube (used to drain fluid or air from the chest). I am so grateful.”

A quick recovery was ideal for Krick who has a full life she wanted to return to. She was back on skis three months after her cancer surgery and quickly dove into swimming and walking – her other favorite activities. She likes spending time with her 8-year-old grandson, who, she says, “keeps me going.” She also operates her own business, where she counsels companies on improving their workplace culture and assists her husband with his abstract business.

Feeling better with her heart condition under control, she checks back with Dr. Civic every six months to make sure she is still lung cancer-free. She says she is grateful to all those who cared for her at LVHN as she recounts the series of fortunate steps that helped her regain her health and resume her lifestyle.

“I made an appointment with my primary care doctor thinking I had bronchitis, but he decided to send me for a stress test at LVHN. That’s how we discovered the heart condition and, ultimately, the cancer,” she says. “I’ve never had anything but great care at LVHN. I trust them implicitly.”