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Just scared: Cancer and scared leaving my daughter behind
My name is Heather, I am 38 years old. I had surgery/diagnosed on 10/9/24 with NSCLC adenoidcarcinoma EGFR 19. Non smoker. I have had multiple lung nodules for 15 years. We followed them for a few years, but due to how young I was and no smoking history, I was told they were benign, and follow up was stopped, unless I started having symptoms. I had bad chest pain before my surgery, which is how we found the cancer. During my surgery my largest nodule was 2.3cm with Visceral Pleural Invasion. I also had 3 tiny tumors around it, but all considered primary tumors. Therefore stage2b multifocal, I did not have lymph node involvement, no lymphovascular invasion, or airspace invasion. They believe the other nodules that have been stable for 15years are atypical adenomatous Hyperplasia. I am scared beyond belief. I have a 8year old daughter who is beautiful and she is autistic that I am scared of leaving behind. Chemo was not recommended. I went straight to Tagrisso. I don’t know what I am looking for my writing this.
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Cancer and chemo are scary whatever age you are, and the fear of leaving loved ones behind is overwhelming. Look for different options to bolster your inner strength: friends and family, reading about your cancer and he prescribed meds, prayer. Do whatever works for you. Don't be afraid to question your doctors. Get a second opinion if necessary. There's a lot of help out there for cancer patients including support services, financial aid, etc.
Good luck and you're in my prayers.
Lycisca
If you are anywhere near a Gilda's Club or Cancer Support Center, they have programs for children whose parent has cancer. The programs are age appropriate and the children learn they are not alone in this.
https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/find-location-near-you
Cancer just sucks. I am praying for you and your daughter. Everyone is right, there are a lot of options available now that weren’t years ago. I know it doesn’t make any of this easier. It’s such a mental health struggle. Every day it’s ups and downs and just okays. Truly an emotional rollarcoaster. Thinking of you and praying for health and peace.
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4 ReactionsHello,
I also have lung cancer ALK- I take alectinib. I hope you are feeling better and less scared about living with cancer.
So much of this is controlled by our thinking. I had some free sessions with a local non-profit called Healing Partners. Is there anything like this where you live? It was very helpful. Checking in with someone who listens, sharing fears, etc., and then doing some light bodywork?
Hope you are doing okay.
april
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4 ReactionsBeautiful post and my prayers are with you for continued positive outlook and your faith in God.
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2 ReactionsOh, and I have a sister who had pretty bad case breast cancer at age 29. She had a mastectomy without reconstruction and she is now 73.
When the going gets tough, the tough keep going.
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3 ReactionsHer last daughter was born in April 2016. The docs discovered the cancer growing again and recommended brain surgery once again. As the baby was only 30 days old, she opted to wait and delay surgery, so she could breast feed the baby at least six months.
The last photo I had of her before the surgery, she was nursing the baby, in her pre-op bed just before that surgery, with her medical crew staff of nurses around her.
Following surgery she recovered again...that was 9 years ago. She now holds a PhD and has raised all those kids.
When devastating things enter our lives, we never know, nor can we know what path it will take.
Continue to live as much as possible like the event is "just a bump in the road" and "this too shall pass".
I know it is easy to say...I wish you fortitude and God's blessings.
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5 ReactionswOW that is amazing!!!!
I identify with you having an eight year old and being diagnosed with cancer at a young age.
My eldest daughter was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 29 and had children 6 months, 26 months, and 4 years of age.
Of course devastating was to say the least. She has had two long brain cancer surgeries, gone through chemo once.
Her only prayer when she was a young mother of 29 was to see the eldest graduate from high school.
Well she has seen that happen, as well as see him graduate from college, the next two that were 6 mo and 26 months graduate from college this year.
And even though she had chemo, she had THREE more kids...and they are now 17, 15 and 9.
She still has the brain cancer...they monitor it and then operate on it when it grows a bit.
A success story for you to think about.
Stay strong, think positive; give your daughter a strong role model. You can do this.
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5 ReactionsThank you so much! I will be praying for you as well! Everything okay your way?