In January 2017, I was diagnosed with stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer at age 43. I was blindsided. I had run two half-marathons within the past 6 months and having lung cancer was something I never even considered as a possibility.
I was lucky to have a friend who connected me to others in the lung cancer community, and through this connection, I found my way to a great thoracic surgeon and medical team. As I went through surgery and chemotherapy, I always found strength in my son and daughter. Although they didn’t know it at the time, they were what motivated me to get through the rough days and have fun on the days I felt good. It’s been almost three years since my diagnosis and I am cancer free!
My advice to someone newly diagnosed would be to reach out to a person or organization in the lung cancer community to guide you through the process of finding a doctor and planning your treatment because these are extremely important decisions that you will be making at a time when you are feeling overwhelmed. Get support right from the start!
Help raise awareness and offer hope to those newly diagnosed or going through a tough time. Share your lung cancer story today!
That is awesome! Did you have EGFR mutation? How many courses chemotherapy did you do?
I, also , was diagnosis with Stage III B non-small cell lung cancer at age 59 back in Oct 2013. I, too, felt blind sided as I was preparing my body for a 20 mile hike on the Great Wall of China. Having been diagnosis with this cancer was something I never felt was ever going to be a problem I would ever have. I am not a smoker , nor are any members of my family.
I also was lucky to have a friend who connected me to a fantastic world reknown clinic in our area and I found my way to a great thoracic surgeon and medical team. As I went through multiple number of treatments and therapies. I found great strength in family members, and friends to carry me through some tough times. However my faith and prayers in God gave me a very strong calmness towards my situation. I am proud I am cancer free going into my 8th year since my diagnosis and the combination of the above is truly me gift for success.
I would like to emphasize for anyone in this situation or similiar situation, that there are no guarantees in life. But the one turly know treatment for anyone to carry with them, and it is that you have to remain positive and believe and to never give up. Once hope is lost, your battle is also lost. So please continue to hang in there and keep fighting and believing. As one famous individual once said, “NEVER GIVE UP, DON’T EVER GIVE UP”