Hi Colleen - I found my way to this discussion somehow. I wasn’t aware that it existed, but thank you for initiating it.
As you know, my 76 year old wife - Kay, has stage 4 metastatic NSCLC, and seems to be coping well with it...under her post op immunotherapy treatments..on-going since December, 2016. WE ARE BLESSED! KAY was diagnosed in April, 2015.
I can only say that KAY has a positive attitude, rarely complains and keeps busy with housework, and participating in her many card clubs and social gatherings. She plays golf with her group of gals on Mondays, and even helps with the yard work. She is a great cook!
Initially, she backed off on many of those activities...but says that she now believes if she slows down too much she will die! Fortunately, her infusions every three weeks leave her with minimal side effects!
We both know that her days may be numbered but choose to not dwell on that. Rather, we take life “one day at a time”...we spend time with family and friends and try to dwell on the positives! When asked about her disease, we try to explain it factually and then move on to the positive elements of our lives,
We try to help others understand the importance of listening to our bodies! If you have issues do not ignore them. If you go to a doctor for care and don’t like his/her strategy or answers get another opinion. This is so important! We got caught up in the pertuity of care with a pulmimologist who simply refused to admit that KAY had lung cancer. This went on for approximately 15 months and resulted in an unnecessary surgery for” gastro issues”!
She says her Bible study group participation has helped her immensely! She recommends that type of support to everyone living with advanced lung cancer! Her faith in God has helped us both!
We also believe the molecular study was crucial to determining her therapy. Had Mayo not ordered that study, we believe KAY would have by now been long gone!
We are here for anyone who wishes to talk!