A holiday with lung cancer

Posted by Merry, Alumni Mentor @merpreb, Dec 21, 2023

Will your cancer overshadow your holiday?

It is very difficult to imagine a holiday without thinking about my next CT scan and what it might say. Cancer is such a sneaky animal. It does what it wants and when it wants. It makes us always on alert! Is that cough a new tumor? Is the pain in my chest?

I've been very fortunate to have had 26 holiday seasons with lung cancer that I never expected. This past October, my twenty-sixth one, I celebrated without my husband, whom I lost this past April. It reminded me how strong we all have to be, not only standing tall but also standing strong.

I am also so thankful for the comfort and support of our Connect group. Each one of you has in some way helped someone else and has given hope and love to them. We probably will never know how many people we actually do help. Just know that you all do.

I'll be spending my holiday with my family. I might not think about my past lung cancer, but in a little over three weeks, I'll be having a follow-up CT scan. I'll have to lean a bit harder on my family for support with my anxiety as it is world-class. Who will you be with this holiday? How will you handle your anxiety?

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

pb50 | @pb50 | Dec 21, 2023

You are so kind and steady Merry.
I’m feeling grateful that my pulmonologist referred me to an oncologist before his year end cruise. I’m not sure how long it will take to get appointment but at least the referral is in.
In spite of background anxiety about your impending CT, I hope you have a marvelous holiday season with loved ones. ❤️

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Dec 22, 2023

In reply to @pb50 "You are so kind and steady Merry. I’m feeling grateful that my pulmonologist referred me to..." + (show)

Thank you Pam, you also.

dianemb | @dianemb | Dec 22, 2023

I wish you peace during the holidays.
I have been diagnosed with nsc lung cancer since September 2022 and have another ct scan the 26th of December. I am just embracing each day and its activities, interactions and blessings. I wish you continued good health.

pb50 | @pb50 | Dec 22, 2023

In reply to @dianemb "I wish you peace during the holidays. I have been diagnosed with nsc lung cancer since..." + (show)

Crossing my fingers for your CT!! Merry Christmas!

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Dec 22, 2023

In reply to @dianemb "I wish you peace during the holidays. I have been diagnosed with nsc lung cancer since..." + (show)

@dianemb- I wish you great health and happiness for the holidays and new year! The day after Christmas is your CT? Oh boy, I wish that I had a joke about it, but I'm way too serious right now. lol

Hang in there, and please let us all know how it turned out! Fingers crossed!

cmcguire10 | @cmcguire10 | Dec 22, 2023

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you. I am just focusing on having fun with my immediate family. I’m starting to learn that stressing over every ache and pain and wondering if it is… only makes me start having anxiety over it. I choose NOT to do that. Now, I have not had too bad of an experience with my cancer journey. I had my LUL VATS surgery at the end of March. 1 nodule, no lymph nodes involved, and clear margins. No chemo or radiation needed. CT scan in Sept was good. Have had a colonoscopy this past week and a mammogram a couple days ago. All results good. A precancerous, but benign, small polyp in colon but that was removed. I’m doing what I can to stay healthy and just figure the rest is in God’s hands. You are ALL very Brave Warriors, and you are ALL in God’s hands! God Bless you and I hope you have a Wonderful Holiday Season and I pray all your tests come out WELL!
Cindy

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Dec 22, 2023

In reply to @cmcguire10 "Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you. I am just focusing on having fun..." + (show)

What a wonderful spirit you have! Thank you for spreading good cheer!

Merry

cmcguire10 | @cmcguire10 | Dec 22, 2023

In reply to @merpreb "What a wonderful spirit you have! Thank you for spreading good cheer! Merry" + (show)

You are The Warrior of ALL Warriors! You are also an Angel! Your extremely long and successful journey with Cancer and your ability and willingness to share it so that the rest of us can benefit from your knowledge and experiences can only be God’s work. My first Husband passed from small cell carcinoma in 1998. We had no knowledge of anything cancer related. Only his Dr saying “3 months to live” and “nothing we can do for you”. My husband gave up right then and there and passed a month later. If I didn’t have Mayo and Mayo connect and all the advice and people here, I don’t know where I might be in this journey! Because of YOU and many more on here, I am positive this is a fight to be fought, and even little wins are WINS! GOD Bless YOU!

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