1. < Lung Cancer
Moderator

Living with lung cancer - Introduce yourself & come say hi

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Mar 2, 2017

Welcome to the Lung Cancer group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet people living with lung cancer or caring for someone with lung cancer. Let's learn from each other and share stories about living well with cancer, coping with the challenges and offering tips.

I'm Colleen, and I'm the moderator of this group, and Community Director of Connect. Chances are you'll to be greeted by volunteer patient Mentors and fellow members when you post to this group. Learn more about Moderators and Mentors on Connect.

We look forward to welcoming you and introducing you to other members. Feel free to browse the topics or start a new one.
Let's chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?

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

anniebannie | @anniebannie | Sep 23 7:18am
In reply to @dianemb "I too, take a targeted therapy, an oral capsule, every morning. I feel quite well but..." + (show)
@dianemb

I too, take a targeted therapy, an oral capsule, every morning. I feel quite well but am tired. Hard to know if it’s the lung cancer, the medicine or just getting older. I am 72. It sounds as though you are doing well.

Jump to this post

Goodness! I can certainly relate. I was diagnosed in April 2018, had a lobectomy removing the quadrant in which the tumor was contained, declined adjuvant chemo, and opted for surveillance. I had good scans every three months for almost two years when CT followed by PET and biopsy showed metastitis to the adrenal gland and brain. I had gamma knife to the brain and started on the targeted treatment, Tagrisso the spring of 2020. I was on 80 mg for several months, but was not tolerating and was tapered to 60mg and then 40mg. The Tagrisso has been successful for me now thus far. I go every three months for CT abdomen/chest/pelvis, brain MRI, bloodwork, and doctor visits; and my reports continue to be “stable” which is a word we love to hear. I thank God for my doctors at Mayo Clinic, for my treatment, and my husband who is with me every step of the way. I will be 76 in January. I am tired much of the time, which I attribute to a combination of cancer, treatment, and age.

REPLY
2 replies
dianemb | @dianemb | Sep 23 8:42am
In reply to @anniebannie "Goodness! I can certainly relate. I was diagnosed in April 2018, had a lobectomy removing the..." + (show)
@anniebannie

Goodness! I can certainly relate. I was diagnosed in April 2018, had a lobectomy removing the quadrant in which the tumor was contained, declined adjuvant chemo, and opted for surveillance. I had good scans every three months for almost two years when CT followed by PET and biopsy showed metastitis to the adrenal gland and brain. I had gamma knife to the brain and started on the targeted treatment, Tagrisso the spring of 2020. I was on 80 mg for several months, but was not tolerating and was tapered to 60mg and then 40mg. The Tagrisso has been successful for me now thus far. I go every three months for CT abdomen/chest/pelvis, brain MRI, bloodwork, and doctor visits; and my reports continue to be “stable” which is a word we love to hear. I thank God for my doctors at Mayo Clinic, for my treatment, and my husband who is with me every step of the way. I will be 76 in January. I am tired much of the time, which I attribute to a combination of cancer, treatment, and age.

Jump to this post

Hello. You’ve certainly gone through a lot! I didn’t have any surgeries or radiation. I wouldn’t be here if not for my husband and my team at the Mayo. My husband initially sent my records to the Mayo. I’ve been taking a research med since August 2023 and so far it’s been controlling the cancer.

REPLY
gprior | @gprior | Sep 23 6:59pm
In reply to @gprior "Yes" + (show)
@gprior

Yes

Jump to this post

I was diagnosed with dipnech in 2018 after having half my right lung removed due to tumours large and solid. After years of shortness of breath and cough which the Drs and I thought were due to a heart condition I have it was found I have dipnech. Now 6 years later I am to have more surgery in a few weeks due to the position of another slow growing tumour. It seems that although I have numerous other small ones they are only a problem if they become solid or they grow more quickly or the position of them. I obviously had dipnech for many years,
We can live a normal life , the cough and shortness of breath we take in our stride. Good luck all.

REPLY
Mentor
Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Sep 25 12:58pm
In reply to @anniebannie "Goodness! I can certainly relate. I was diagnosed in April 2018, had a lobectomy removing the..." + (show)
@anniebannie

Goodness! I can certainly relate. I was diagnosed in April 2018, had a lobectomy removing the quadrant in which the tumor was contained, declined adjuvant chemo, and opted for surveillance. I had good scans every three months for almost two years when CT followed by PET and biopsy showed metastitis to the adrenal gland and brain. I had gamma knife to the brain and started on the targeted treatment, Tagrisso the spring of 2020. I was on 80 mg for several months, but was not tolerating and was tapered to 60mg and then 40mg. The Tagrisso has been successful for me now thus far. I go every three months for CT abdomen/chest/pelvis, brain MRI, bloodwork, and doctor visits; and my reports continue to be “stable” which is a word we love to hear. I thank God for my doctors at Mayo Clinic, for my treatment, and my husband who is with me every step of the way. I will be 76 in January. I am tired much of the time, which I attribute to a combination of cancer, treatment, and age.

Jump to this post

@anniebannie, You are a beautiful example of someone living life along with having stage 4 lung cancer. I'm glad that Tagrisso has been effective for you for four years. Thank you for sharing your story, and that you have been successful with a reduced dose.
The fatigue from these types of meds is real. Have you found ways to combat the fatigue? I try to take naps, and caffeine helps.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.