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Living with lung cancer - Introduce yourself & come say hi
Lung Cancer | Last Active: Sep 25 12:58pm | Replies (1044)Comment receiving replies
Hi, my name is Kim, I’m 52, happily married, with 2 children in their 30’s and 5 grandchildren. Unfortunately, I was a smoker for over 30 years and quit last year. 2 months ago I was diagnosed with stage 3 non small cell carcinoma lung cancer, it is in my lymph nodes so surgery and radiation is not an option at this time. Fortunately, I have a targeted gene, BRAF, and will be taking two chemo pills a day to begin killing this monster inside me. I have been trying for two frustrating weeks to get my medicine and was just blessed this morning with a liaison to help me get the medicine.
I am from Fairbanks, Alaska, born and raised, and was diagnosed with pneumonia there, however, my mother and my instincts told me to seek a second opinion and so I came to the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix where I was diagnosed with this cancer. I went back home to Fairbanks to begin treatment, however, we were all convinced that I would get better care at the Mayo Clinic so my mother and I are back in Phoenix waiting for the meds to come so I can begin treatment here. It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions to say the least, and this is only the beginning. I thought I could take care of this on my own with the support of my family and friends but already I know that I cannot, I am going to need the help of others who are experiencing the same monster within them in order to conquer this thing, and so I am starting here and reaching out for help. I’ve never felt so vulnerable and not in control and I am scared! Any and all advice is appreciated.
Replies to "Hi, my name is Kim, I’m 52, happily married, with 2 children in their 30’s and..."
Hi @kimbarr, I thought I'd check in to see how you are doing. Are you still in Phoenix or did you return home to Fairbanks in the meantime? How is treatment going?
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Hi Kim, @kimbarr, Welcome to Mayo Connect! Thank goodness for mothers and instincts. I'm glad that you've been diagnosed so you can begin treatment.
I have a different mutation, ALK, and also take a targeted therapy/pills. That has been my only treatment. I'm still on that original treatment now, four years after diagnosis (stage IV, diagnosed at the age of 49).
No one deserves lung cancer, and we'll likely never know what caused your diagnosis. I tend to think mine is from something environmental, but others have told me that 'biology makes mistakes' and our immune systems can't always correct those mistakes.
The mental weight of the diagnosis is difficult. It will take time for you and your family to each process the reality of the situation, and you won't all have the same approach. Know that it does get easier over time. In the beginning, you need to spend some time sitting with your emotions, whatever that may look like to you; quiet time, crying, yelling, etc. Just try not to let the low times go on too long. Give yourself some grace and try to do something to take your mind off things too. You are in Arizona, are you feeling good enough to get out for a walk as the heat permits?
There have been a few others with relatives with BRAF on Connect, these are some that I've found. Maybe they'll pipe in with their experiences too. @rockpine, @duckduck2020
Hopefully your pills come soon, so you can get started.