I'm still in remission after 5 years!

Posted by lycisca @lycisca, Apr 1 11:36am

I want to share some good news with my fellow cancer survivors. After five years of living from week to week and CT scan to CT scan, at my recent appointment my oncologist told me that my next CT scan would be in six months instead of three to four months. It’s hard to express what this means to me.
Five years ago, I woke from a nightmare ICU delirium to be told I had Stage 4 lung cancer and that without treatment they gave me 3 to 4 months to live. I was fortunate to have an outstanding oncologist who prescribed a targeted new chemo that had just been approved by the FDA. The first 6 months were horrible. I was struggling with the lingering delirium, with a new cancer diet complicated by kidney issues and the life altering side effects of the chemo (entrectenib) which for me turned out to be weakness, fatigue, diarrhea, mood swings. I still have all of that, plus a new tumor that showed up on last June’s CT scan and turned my summer into an exhausting whirlwind of 200-mile round trips for biopsies, doctor visits, blood draws and ultimately, a second chemo on top of the first one.
The lung cancer is still in remission, the tumor under control and suddenly, amazingly, I have 6 months of my life without CTs and blood draws. 6 months to enjoy summer, to plant and watch the seedlings I started indoors flower, to play with my dogs, relax with my devoted husband. I still have a hard time believing it!
Thank you for listening.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.

medtech4 | @medtech4 | Sep 11 5:31pm

In reply to @mamajite "@medtech4 I'm so happy you were able to enjoy your beach vacation. cancer definitely can make..." + (show)

@mamajite Thank you for your comment! The trip was refreshing. I highlyl recommend if you can manage to get away for a few days.

medtech4 | @medtech4 | Sep 16 4:57pm

That is great news, in fact, it's the best news ever! Enjoy your time without having to think about cancer and do some things you love.

lala56 | @lala56 | Sep 17 10:08am

Truly an inspiration. Congratulations. While I am just on my first year of the diagnosis. I'm so happy for you to have a 6 month reprieve and freedom. Wishing you more positive news and be strong and happy.

dbeebe51 | @dbeebe51 | Sep 17 1:28pm

This is great!!!!! I am a little confused. Are you 5 years from the initial tumor? And 2025 there was a new one? I might have that wrong. But congrats to you looking forward to your six months of just enjoying.

kedim | @kedim | Sep 24 4:36pm

Thank YOU for sharing and for your amazing courage and optimism. You've just shared with us so many things that you are grateful, and taking the time to acknowledge them must make you feel stronger. It certainly makes me feel strong and optimistic for you. You go, Girl!

thomastaylor | @thomastaylor | Sep 25 7:48am

I have been diagnosed with upper left lung lobe, Aiden carcinoma cancer 2.8cm. Who is the best cancer surgeon in Carrollton Georgia?

vlpr | @vlpr | Sep 25 9:43am

What type of lung cancer? SCLC or non-small cell. Thanks, Keep on enjoying and Congrats.

mamajite | @mamajite | Sep 25 12:32pm

In reply to @thomastaylor "I have been diagnosed with upper left lung lobe, Aiden carcinoma cancer 2.8cm. Who is the..." + (show)

hi @thomastaylor - welcome to Mayo Connect. sorry to hear you've been diagnosed with lung cancer. I also have adenocarcinoma. I don't think anyone in our group can advise on a specific surgeon. generally you're looking for a thoracic surgeon with experience in removing lung cancer tumors (with good results). if you're looking for the best treatment options (including clinical trials) there is only one NIH designated cancer center in Georgia. that's the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory in Atlanta. if you're able, I recommend getting at least a second opinion there.
https://winshipcancer.emory.edu/

daisydays | @daisydays | Sep 25 5:08pm

In reply to @thomastaylor "I have been diagnosed with upper left lung lobe, Aiden carcinoma cancer 2.8cm. Who is the..." + (show)

Hello and Welcome @thomastaylor,
I’m very sorry you have been diagnosed with lung cancer.
Glad you found this group, the folks here are very knowledgeable, kind and understanding.
Hugs 🤗 Daisy

nadine78 | @nadine78 | Sep 25 5:17pm

Thank you for sharing this update! I see it's from April and it's September now.... I'm a little late to the game because I'm new here. I have stage 4 lung cancer (10cm tumor in my left lung, several smaller ones in my right lung and my lung lymphnodes). I hope one day I can be free from this.... at the moment I think I will be on this drug (Sevabertinib) for the rest of my life or until my body figures out a work around and then I'll need something new.

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