When longtime nurse Riki Granger went in for an abdominal CT scan, she never imagined the results would reveal something life-changing – a small lesion on her lungs. “It was a blessing in disguise,” Granger said. “A miracle.” Within days, she was connected to Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital’s lung nodule program medical director Dr. Priya Oolut. Oolut recommended a biopsy using the hospital’s brand-new robotic bronchoscopy system, the first of its kind in Fort Bend County. The diagnosis: lung cancer.

 

Granger, who has cared for others as a nurse for more than 45 years, said the experience gave her a new perspective on patient care. “I’ve been in health care a long time, but the care I received here exceeded every expectation I had,” Granger said. “I felt respected, supported and safe. When Dr. Oolut told me a robot would be doing the biopsy, I thought ‘That’s pretty cool!’ And even cooler that I didn’t have to drive to the Texas Medical Center to get access to something so advanced.”

 

The robotic bronchoscopy system is a major milestone for Houston Methodist Sugar Land and the community it serves. This technology allows physicians to perform minimally invasive lung biopsies with greater precision and reach, helping them access and diagnose small, hard-to-reach nodules earlier – and with more confidence.

 

“This technology is a game changer,” said Oolut, board-certified pulmonologist with Houston Methodist Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine Specialists at Sugar Land. “It allows us to detect and diagnose lung cancer sooner, while it’s still highly treatable. The faster we can diagnose, the faster we can treat. But the real difference comes from combining this innovation with a coordinated, patient-first approach. We’re proud to offer both.”

 

That coordinated approach starts with the hospital’s incidental lung nodule program – designed to flag unexpected lung findings on other scans. Then, the lung program’s clinical resource nurse, Barbara Cox, works quickly to help facilitate expedient appointments for these patients. The success of the program is also because of a dedicated lung nodule clinic, oncology nurse navigators and a multidisciplinary team ready to move quickly. “Riki’s story shows what’s possible when technology, teamwork and compassion come together,” Oolut said. "The critical message is that catching lung cancer early saves lives." Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., accounting for about 1 in 5 of all cancer deaths. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast and prostate cancer combined.

 

For Granger, who quit smoking in 1994 and has a grandbaby on the way, staying close to home made a difficult time feel a little easier. “My mom really wanted me to go somewhere else, but I told her, ‘No. I trust this hospital. I want to stay here at Houston Methodist Sugar Land.’ I’m grateful I did. The fact that I could get this level of care – including the robotic bronchoscopy – right here near home meant everything to me.”

 

Now in the middle of chemotherapy, Granger is focusing on her health and her family. “My mom prays every night and asks God why she’s still here. I believe she’s here to help take care of me. There are so many people cheering me on. My doctors believe I’m going to be cured. I’m choosing to stay positive and believe it.”

 

To find out if you qualify for a lung cancer screening, talk with your primary care physician. Houston Methodist Primary Care Group provides care that’s personalized for you and your unique needs. To make an appointment, visit houstonmethodist.org/pcg/southwest or call 832.416.1678.