Thank you Ed, for sharing your story.

I sat with my morning coffee and read your entire story. I am beyond happy for you. It is so good to hear about people like yourself who have foresight, courage, and a positive way of looking at life, despite the challenge of fighting cancer.

My journey with Stage 2 (T2N1M0) began in late 2023 when a routine endoscopy located an 11 cm tumor. I have had chemo, radiation, and am currently looking at my last immunotherapy treatment, which has been harder on me than the chemo and radiation combined. I had to attend the ER last week because of breathing difficulties. The ER doctor and radiologist determined that my right lower lung lobe is collapsed. I do not know if that happened recently or if it was a fairly immediate result after surgery. I will go forward with my team and determine how that can be remedied. I had a PET scan yesterday and am awaiting the results. The 'scanxiety' gets a little easier each time. There is an area in the bottom right lobe that is being watched carefully. So far, my team feels like it is some old lung scarring; however, the defined shape of it worries me, in addition to the size - 11 cm x 14 cm. I will remain calm and not allow myself to feel the stress of waiting for the results. I will have them soon enough, and then we will go from there.

Here is a recent photo of my darling 8-month-old basenji puppy Kopper. He is my spiritual caregiver. Currently 22 pounds, he will probably be 26 pounds at two years old. The other photo is me at the Cancer Center, getting immunotherapy treatment.

Continue to stay well. All the best to you and your family.

Frances
British Columbia, Canada