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Celebrating 25 years of lung cancer
Hello to all of you.
I think that a lot of you know my story. I was diagnosed with lung cancer 25 years ago. My first cancer was a different type of lung cancer that I have now. It was a single NSCLC lesion that grew very quickly.
My second lung cancer was 10 years later and it was called multifocal adenocarcinoma lung cancer. Briefly, it is an NSCLC but grows at a very very slow pace and there can be more than one lesion at a time and/or in more than one lobe at a time.
A week from now I will be going to Mass General Hospital to be treated for my 6th lung cancer. It includes 2 lesions and one is very close to my heart. I will be treated with SBRT- a type of targeted radiation that is a lifesaver for people who can not have more surgery. With multifocal adenocarcinomas, each lesion begins as ground glass and is not considered a metastasis but a primary lesion.
On October 3rd I will also be celebrating my 25th anniversary of lung cancer. I started a blog. You will see a 5-year absence from writing due to my time mentoring for Mayo and Covid and other life interruptions. But it is time to return now and to do both-mentor for Mayo and write.
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My blog is https://my20yearscancer.com/
I will have approximately 40 minutes of radiation a day for 5 days. I worked out a schedule with my radiologist that is best for me. I selected 5 straight days so I wouldn't have to go back and forth from my state to MA.
I feel that in being the Mentor for this brave and wonderful group I also need to share my journey. I don't know if these will be my last lesions or if there will be more. I hope that you will come along with me as I fight my 6th battle with Lung Cancer.
Thank you
Merry
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My wife was 70 pounds she got lung cancer non-small cell enter last love we’ve been married 44 years and I thought it was a death sentence but it wasn’t because got caught in time and the treatment that they have but she didn’t have to have no treatment because she had that tumor removed it was cancer free we’ve been monitoring it and her tumor growing all the seven months I hope your journey you keep going even if you have to fight forever you’re a winner in Mayeye I know what we went through sorry that you had to go through so much God bless and good well
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2 ReactionsI think you must be a very brave person and your attitude has helped you fight this cancer all these years. I firmly believe attitude is half the battle or more at times. I pray you that you win this battle also. I have been fighting against cancer for 17 years now so I applaud you for helping others with their journey.
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8 ReactionsMerry....you have been godsend to so many here sharing your knowledge and thoughts with everyone. I pray the radiation kicks the beast for good. I will sign up for your blog.....will be thinking about you, keep the aquaphor close by and those who love you closer. We will wait to hear from you hopefully soon. xoxodede
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3 ReactionsDave, thank you so very much. I wish you and your wife well. Hang in there!
Merry
@quimbie - It sounds as if you are very brave and have a great attitude also. I don't have a science degree but I'm sure that attitude can have a great deal of impact on your health. Negative attitudes and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness can create chronic stress. This upsets the body's hormone balance, depletes the brain chemicals required for happiness, and damages the immune system. My immune system certainly doesn't need any more!
As you know, having a positive attitude doesn't mean being high on life every minute of every day. That would be impossible to sustain. Cancer isn't necessarily a death sentence. I think of mine as a chronic illness and it acts like it too. I know that I am very lucky. I know that I have lung cancer. I love being happy so I try and foster this and look for something positive about every yucky situation. After years of chronic major depression, this is new for me and I take advantage of it to live the best life. Not every day, but a lot of days.
Everyone in this group understands what I'm saying, I'm sure of it. Not everyone experiences life in the same way but cancer survivors understand reality. Being positive doesn't mean looking through rose-colored glasses. It's taking advantage of good days. And helping others follows this.
I don't have a lot of expensive toys but what I do have is a wealth of experience. It's way too much for me to hold on to so I pass what I can on and hope that that it helps, even in a small way. Not just on Connect, but in places where compassion and understanding are surely needed.
Bet you didn't expect this answer, did you? lol
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6 ReactionsMerry, I just saw this, and am sending you great big energy hugs!! Thank you for all you do and will continue to do for this community! Rest, recuperate.
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2 ReactionsHey! So glad to hear from you. and you are most welcome. It's my honor!
Today marks my 25th anniversary.
Am certainly going to rest
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5 ReactionsVery best to you Merry. Am looking forward to hearing the news of another successful procedure. You are an inspiration for Many!
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2 ReactionsMerry, I totally missed this. Last several weeks have been crazy busy but included my 4 1/2-year check at Mayo where all was well. Congrats on such a milestone and my thoughts and prayers on your current journey.
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1 ReactionMerry..you answered in a real way most of us understand. Some days are diamonds some days are stones but we try and hang on to the good days. I agree that sharing experience, information is helpful to me and also I am done if I can't have a good belly laugh each day.
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