Newly diagnosed: Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

@corywh, thank you! Thank you for not blaming your parents. It was a different time. You have my support and courage to you to not blame yourself. And don't take on the shame. What is done is done. Now is time for forward thinking and it appears that that is exactly what you're doing. Kudos.

I'm tagging fellow members like @overcomercynth @erv58 @stellerjohn @detroitmom23 @bellsina71 to share with you.

Cory, you mention that you have squamous cell carcinoma, a type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Do you know the stage of your cancer? Do you have a treatment plan yet?

Thanks so much. I don’t know the stage just yet. I have oncology Tuesday and a Pet scan Saturday, then thoracic consult on Monday April 3rd. I am guessing it is going to be stage 2 if I’m lucky as the mass is 4.4cm. But they don’t think it has spread. PET will confirm of course. Could definitely be stage 3 also though.

I am so sorry to hear this! I was really hoping that it was going to be something else. You have a great attitude! Carry that with you. Carry that with you through all this!! It's one thing that can't be taken away from us is our ability to choose our own attitude in every given set of circumstances. Your attitude is going to be everything in the weeks and months to come. And have faith. Don't just have hope: hope walks through the fire but Faith leaps over it. There are so many things they can do for lung cancer now. It is really kind of amazing. If it's contained you're outcome is probably going to be pretty darn good! I know what you mean about growing up with smokers and having the windows rolled down in the front while you're in the back seat as a little child. I started smoking at 14. I smoked for many years I only quit 3 years ago when I turned 50. It does seem that some people get lung cancer and some don't, it doesn't seem like there's a big rhyme or reason to it. My grandpa smoked since he was a little child and he lived to be 98, with a pacemaker and he had emphysema for years. We are here for you. So many people go through such terrible things. I feel bad that you were offered such a great job and this is kind of derailed it, but your life was meant to go in a different direction for some reason right now. And it's nothing you did, and none of us can blame ourselves because every single one of us has done things that aren't healthy for our body at one time or another in our lives. None of us are perfect. And no one should have to pay the ultimate price! I have a friend with lung cancer and I've been trying to tell her that people with stage four can live for many months or years, and she's not at a stage four yet but she's so afraid. I wish I could take some of that fear from her. Please keep us updated and ask any questions that you want. This is such a great group of people and some people and together it's a wealth of knowledge! I'm so sorry that you have to go through this!!
Angela

Cory,

I was also going to add that your age is going to be a big plus for you. Because you're so young you have the fight in you. I just want you to know that. That's terrible that you're only 42 age and have this, but on the other hand being so young is going to be a benefit as you're fighting this. If you have no choice but to suffer through this then you might as well look at the positives, not the negatives. Never focus on the negative! 💗
Angela

@corywh, I think we were all hopeful that you would have received different news. It sounds like you have a great attitude in looking forward, and knowing that it’s time to focus on getting better! Unfortunately you have another week of waiting, be aware of what you need during this time; quiet time in nature or surrounded by lots of family. We all find peace and comfort in our own way.
Keep us posted on the results of your next appointments and scans, wishing you good news going forward. Lisa

Cory, it’s amazing what surgeries and treatments are available now. Cancer is no longer a desth sentence. Are you going to Mayo? The hardest part is the waiting for details and a treatment plan. Hang in there until you have all the information uou need. This group will be pulling for you and will be here for any questions/fears. Best to you, Fran

Thank you, Fran. I am not currently planning on going to Mayo. I should know more over the next few days.
To be honest I'm not even sure what all is involved in trying to go to Mayo. I'm being treated at Vanderbilt in Nashville which is also a highly rated Cancer team etc. So far I'm very comfortable there.

That’s great. Yes, Vanderbilt is a good place to be. I’m at Northwestern in Chicago.