The doctors office was bright with light. A big leathery brown chair set behind the cluttered desk. In front of the desk were two upholstered blue seats. The sound of the air conditioner gently roamed the room.
My husband and I cautiously entered the room. Our hands firmly clenched together. We sat and waited for the doctor to arrive. My thoughts wandered off into nightmares of cancer...the what ifs and whens.The time felt as if it were standing still. I didn't want to see the doctor. I didn't want to know the results. I had to know one way or the other. I've waited days for the reports. My husband put his hand around mine and with a whispering gentle voice said, "we can do this!"
The doctor walked into the room. His pleasant demeanor and white coat increased my anticipation. What would he say? What will I do? Please help me Lord.
The words slipped through his expressive mouth...."You have lung cancer." ...
WHAT? it can't be! No, not me! I'm only 38. My husband grabbed me and held me tight while I listened to my death sentence.
The doctor was talking about a plan...what? I didn't hear him. I had no hope. I was 38 with two children and I was going to die.
The airconditioner now sounded like a whirlwind in my ears, the voices louder and louder...the room so bright I had to close my eyes. I wanted to run.
As Tom held me, I settled down a bit. I settled down enough to hear the Plan...Surgery, right upper lobe, intensive care, oxygen...I just am too overwhelmed to think to act or to capture the meaning of those words.
Written by
Mcprough
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Mcprough Thank you for sharing your story. Please know that you are not alone and I hope that this community will be of some comfort to you. And please know that help is available. We have a Support Line (844.835.4325) as well as many educational resources. You mentioned surgery, which can seem overwhelming, but it may mean that your cancer was caught early enough to be removed by an operation. Please let us know how you are doing and how we can help.
Please know that this is no longer an automatic death sentence even for people with stage 4 lung cancer. You've not had much chance to digest this and even less time to learn what you are dealing with.
From what you've written I know that your cancer has been discovered at an early stage. They do not do surgery on patients they consider stage 4 or terminal. Surgery means they are going for a cure and that is possible.
When you are ready to ask your questions we are here for you. You are not alone.
In the future, when you have questions we can help you best if we know what type of lung cancer it is (small cell, or non small cell types including adenocarcinoma, squamous, giant cell, etc). Also if they told you the results of your mutation testing.
I'm going to brb with a printable list of questions you can take to your docs. It covers all aspects of treatment.
Denzie, I wrote part of my story here I had no idea it was posted already...the other part is that I did survive the surgery. I was free from cancer for 30 years...I had more surgery I was deemed stage 4 adenocarcinoma in 20013. I've been on immunotherapy for 3 years...
The only side effect I have is feeling more tired the day after my infusion. No other side effects. I usually feel healthy for me....I am missing a good part of my rt lung and also have COPD. SO what helthy is to me may not be the same to you...my cancer is now NED
Thank you for this list, will be taking these with me to see the lung specialist after I have my low dose cancer scan in Jan. (so the lung specialist can see how far advanced my lungs have gotten in the past 6 months & course of action-----major allergies are preventing me from doing chem &/or radiation so unsure of what is gonna be said or decided on......
Wow! You capture so clearly what it is like to receive a diagnosis of lung cancer in vivid, well chosen words. I'm very glad to read of your survival, and that you are one of the people for whom immunotherapy is working. Thank you for sharing your story, it gives hope to others.
I add my voice to the others. I am just so grateful for your clear description of what that moment of diagnosis feels like, and then your LIFE afterwards.
Hope is a gift you just generously gave to everyone reading these posts.
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