1 year survivor - I feel so fortunate . . . - Discussion - Lung Cancer Alliance Survivors Support Community

I am now officially a 1 year survivor and feel so fortunate and blessed. A year ago I never dreamed I would be here today having been dx IIIb - T2N3M0. At first I viewed my dx as an immediate death sentence. However, the more I researched, sought various opinions and taking an active part over what was going on, I felt empowered to beath this thing. I don;t have too many "pity parties" but I do have some and think that is OK.

I don't post often but do so many times in my mind. I feel so fortunate that I have not had horrible experiences with my treatments. I have tolerated chemo quite well and consdier myself a "cry baby" of sorts when I read how difficult a time some people have.

Earlier this week I had a scan after 3 rounds of Alimta and it appears to be working. Sure, I've had the constipation, extreme fatigue, mouth sores, shortness of breath and even the runs on some days. I have found that drinking lots and lots of water, eating even when I don't feel like it and getting some type of exercide helps a great deal.

My strength and cpurage has come from all of you sharing your experiences and provding me the information to know how fortunate and blessed I am.

As a result of being a part of this site, I have taken leave from my job and will move into my long term work disability, applied for SSDI and am dedicated myself to Lung Cancer Awareness and advocacy. I have my first meeting on Monday and look forward to doing everything possible in making a difference and educating my community on this horrible disease that is so looked down upon.

Thank you each and every one of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your firends and famalies.

Miracles & blessings . . .

Kathy

By Kerstin
Posted February 28, 2008 at 10:21 am
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Congratulations, I am very happy for you becassue I know how you feel. No words can really describe it.
God bless you and take care
Kerstin

By meadowbreeze
Posted February 29, 2008 at 9:30 am
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My dear friend Kathy,

It is an anniversary and time to celebrate. Congratulations to you. I am thrilled for you. Every day is a blessing for all of us that have to deal with this disease. May you have many days and many anniversaries.

Keep up all the hard work and you are entitled to have a pity party or feel that way whenever you want. We all have those days where we just feel sorry for ourselves or we don't understand WHY, but we get thru them.

Take care
May the Lord continue to hold you close to him.

God bless,
Your friend,
Linda

By BECKY1
Posted February 29, 2008 at 12:29 pm
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Hello Kathy and God Bless you.
If all goes well with my thyroid scan on Tuesday, as of the 7th I will also be cancer free
and a survivor of one year. 3A
I had my surgery, lung removed, chemo, radiation on the 7th of March last year.

Your right, when diagnosed we feel as if our lives are over. Although I still am scared., my life is pretty darn good.

I m able to work, spend time with my family, clean my house, everyhing I did before.
Lets all pray daily for a cure to end this aweful disease , the suffering it causes and
and lives it takes

Never give up hopr.
Blessings all around.
Becky

By soniak
Posted February 29, 2008 at 1:25 pm
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Congratulations!!! I would like to know what date you consider as the anniversary? The date you had surgery or the date you completed treatments? I had my surgery in November '06 and completed all treatment in April '07. Thank God my scans have been clean each time and there has been no progression of the disease. I am coming up on the 1 year since treatment ended in April '08 and this is when I would think I can claim a year although my husband feels I have been cancer free since surgery . I was dx as 3A with 2 lymph nodes and a 2 cm. tumor in the lower right lobe of my lung which was removed during surgery.

By CHammett
Posted February 29, 2008 at 1:59 pm
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Hi, Kathy.

WAY TO GO, GIRL!!!

I celebrated my own one year (also IIIB) in January, and like you, am feeling darned lucky to still be around!

Also like you, I am on 2nd line treatment (Tarceva) and my onc has already laid out potential 3rd and 4th line treatments (Nexavar and Alimta--I'm ineligible for Avastin as I'm squamous cell) so, I, too, have much more hope than I had a year ago.

No matter how it goes, though, I feel blessed in having been able to go through this experience surrounded by you and all the many others here who have shared and held hands through all the ups and downs of this terrible affliction.

Thank you, Kathy.

Carole

By CHammett
Posted February 29, 2008 at 2:02 pm
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Hi, Sonia.

I count from the date I was first diagnosed (unofficially and informally), which was 01/10/07, the date my chest x-ray showed 5 cm. tumor (unofficial and informal because no biopsy yet, but pretty much a given since--according to my doc--98% of all lung tumors are cancerous).

Carole

By MarciaGreer
Posted February 29, 2008 at 5:21 pm
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What a great attitude! I also feel fortunate to be here 2 years after NSCLC IV dx - but there are those days after chemo where I too have a pity fest. But then I feel better again and am able to enjoy many of the things I always did - family, garden, dogs, reading, etc.

By davegdaughter
Posted March 1, 2008 at 10:16 am
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Kathy,

You are right each and every day is a blessing and how wonderful when the days add up to 365. Congrats on your 1 year anniversary! May there be many more days and years ahead for you.

Cindy

By Barbara-Ellen
Posted March 1, 2008 at 11:04 am
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Dear Kathy,

You seem to be doing all the right things - the fluids, the food, and the really upbeat attitude. Great going!

Each day is a gift, and a good cry, whenever you feel the need, is often soothing to the soul. I know, having had many good cries in the shower - leaving me feeling less stressed.

May you continue to be wrapped in blessings.

Barbara

By dnk123
Posted May 23, 2008 at 9:38 pm
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That great my dad also has NSCLC IIIB T1 N3 MO we just found out 1 month ago he just finished 14 treatments of 10 min of radation on neck, that was hell for him . He had 1 treatment of chemo 2 more to go 1 every 3 weeks. Please tell me what happens next? When first diagnosed lung doctor in hospital was very upfront and said non operable 6-9 months. But Onc and radation dr didn't make me feel like that they made it seem better, and you give me hope. Hes 67 and on Carbo/Taxotere any info on them. We found out on the first day of my moms retirement all I want is for them to be able to enjoy life now.

1 year survivor - I feel so fortunate . . .

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