Living with lung cancer - Introduce yourself & come say hi

@armstg- Good morning. I haven't heard from you in a while. How is your winter going? How are you feeling?

Goodmorning @woodedareas and welcome to Mayo Connect. I feel your frustration with not being able to see into the future and making plans. My first cancer was exactly like yours and mine (1B) never came back after surgery. I wondered the same things that you are now. I just couldn't believe that I didn't need chemo or something else like radiation. I actually wrote a blog post about my frustrations with it. I know that it sounds crazy but in 1997 I thought that everyone had to have these two things! https://my20yearscancer.com/lung-cancer-survivor/
I wish that I could wave a magic wand and let us all know what the future holds for all of us who have had cancer. There are so many treatment options available now. But, as you know, no one can tell us about recurrences. My second cancer, a multifocal adenocarcinoma was 10 years after my first. I needed radiation and that put a huge kibosh on any future plans, as you can well imagine.
I had a trip to Israel planned about 2+ years ago. But I needed an SBRT (a type of radiation) to kill a new lesion. My radiologist put a stop on the trip. We had taken out travel insurance and I got every cent back.
I have also been very honest with people about my having cancer when making plans for the future. I can't tell you how many dinners that I have canceled, or other social plans. I don't know how you will deal with business plans. I really do suggest being open and honest about it, if you haven't already.
My suggestion is to make plans. Live your life the way you want and work it around what your main priority is now, taking care of yourself. As you get further and further from your surgery you will see that even if your life has changed the future is still there to be grabbed!
Merry

@shortshot80- Good morning Nancy. I remember when I became a mentor for the lung cancer group that you were just leaving for your surgeries. And I have read your occasional posts. I'm so glad that the surgeries are behind you and that you back!
I realize that you feel especially close to Colleen and Teresa. They are so warm and understanding. Since you have left I have become the mentor for Lung Cancer. I have multifocal adenocarcinoma of the lung. I have this type of cancer for 12+ years and another 10 years before that.
Through Colleen's unique ability to bring more mentors into Connect we can now share more mentoring and let her have more time for admin work and making sure that we are all doing what needs to be doing. lol We find that the more people who share their stories and experiences actually help others. We are quite a community here!
I hope that you will feel safe amongst those of us who have had similar cancers to share your story. I'm sure that it will help all of us!

I was diagnosed with stage 1A lung cancer. They followed the nodule for 15 months and when there was change I had VAT surgery. I have had (1) 4-month scan with no change and my next scan is in April. I am 79 but find I can not make any long term commitments for business or personal matters as I don't know what to expect from scan to scan. I have not required further treatment at this point. I started at Mayo Rochester but had my surgery at Rush in Chicago near my family. Both hospitals and staff are excellent. I am thankful for this time but wish there was some medical professional who could render advice about possible reoccurrence and available treatments.

@shortshot80 Hello Nancy, It is so good to hear from you! I hope you are feeling better now. I look forward to your update of the last 6 months.

Just wondering, how is your book coming along?

Hi Nancy @shortshot80, welcome back to Mayo Clinic Connect. It is so good to hear from you again. I'm sure Teresa @hopeful33250 will be equally delighted to get an update from you and hear what has been going on the past 6 months.

How are you doing?

<p>I was diagnose with two kinds of lung cancer in 1916. I have mesothelioma in my left lung and plain old cancer in my right lung. I have been on Mayo Clinic Connect for several years, but have not been here for several months. I have been talking with Colleen and Teresa for several years. I would like to visit with Colleen and Teresa. Thank you. I would update them for the past six months.</p>

@sakota Hello Joan:

I just wanted to check in with you and see how you are doing. I see that you were dealing with a lot of health problems in December.

I would enjoy hearing from you. Will you post an update when it's convenient for you?

@mrmouth19- Good morning. I'm checking up to see how you are doing. I haven't heard from you since December 20, 2019. May I help you in any way?

Great news to hear merry. Hope younhave a very merry christmas