A very personal St. Patrick's Day

[Miranda_GO2]

St. Patrick's Day isn't just another holiday at GO2 Foundation. It's also the 17th anniversary of Bonnie being cancer free.

Read the special message from Andrea and Danielle to Bonnie:

"March 17, 2004, St. Patrick’s Day, became one of the most significant days in our lives. It is the day our mom, against all odds, became cancer free.

In the fall of 2003, after almost two years of misdiagnosis, the news came that she had Stage 3b, non-small cell adenocarcinoma lung cancer. She had a tumor in her upper left lobe that had attached to, and was pinching off, her aorta and subclavian arteries. “We are sorry, but there’s really nothing we can do, chemo may slow it down, but you should get your affairs in order.” We did not listen. We did not give up. We were on a mission.

Our mom swore that if she made it out the other side of her diagnosis, she would see to it that no other person diagnosed with lung cancer would have to fight so hard to find quality care. That information about lung cancer would be readily available and easy to understand. That people would have the ability to understand their diagnosis and make educated and informed decisions about their treatment options.

She held true to that promise and in 2006 started the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation—a foundation dedicated to fighting for the patient. Dedicated to providing patients with the support and education they so desperately need. Dedicated to putting patients first and giving them a seat at the table where their voices could be heard.

Knowing that no one can fight this disease alone, she made the impact stronger by working towards a merger with Lung Cancer Alliance. In 2019, the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer was formed. We are now the largest non-profit organization working globally to double survival.

Along with ourselves, the entire team at GO2 Foundation continues to work tirelessly alongside her to continue the fight against lung cancer. We could not be more proud.

Happy 17th Anniversary Mom. We love you.

Danielle and Andrea"

Bonnie Addario (center) with her daughters Andrea Parks, Chief Development Officer (left) and Danielle Hicks, Chief Patient Officer (right).

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

This is hope.

[moowife]

She was lucky. You didn't mention if the cancer came back. I'm not so lucky. My husband had surgery then chemo for squamous non small cell lung cancer. He only got 20 months. Then the cancer came back and he is going through treatment. Because it came back in such a short time, it is doubtful that he will get much time now. Not everyone is lucky when they get lung cancer.

[Miranda_GO2 Partner in reply to moowife]

I hear you. Recurrence is still very common, insanely stressful, and scary. I wouldn't say anyone who gets lung cancer is lucky but you are 100% right that sometimes some people are fortunate to not experience recurrence. There is still al lot of work to do in our community and our organization and others exist to keep sharing information, improving access to quality of care, and to increase research.

I'm so sorry to hear of your husband's recurrence, how is he doing with treatment? Where is he being treated?

[moowife in reply to Miranda_GO2]

He had weekly low dose chemo and daily (m-f) radiation. 30 radiation & 6 weekly low dose chemo. This was followed by 2 full dose chemo, 3 weeks aparts. His last radiation was 1/15. His last chemo was 2/9. He had a scan which showed that the lymph nodes shrunk. He will be starting immunotherapy on 4/9 with durvalumab. He has had hoarseness & coughing since radiation started. Radiation oncologist doesn't want to hear about it or do anything. He will see an ENT due to some reading I have been doing. Big thing with durvalumab is pneumonitis. His hair is growing back. He still has fatigue. This is good for now. However, he only got 20 months of remission so it is hard to get very hopeful. He is receiving treatment at Inova Fair Oaks which is in Fairfax, Virginia. His medical oncologist is good. I don't like the radiation oncologist

[Miranda_GO2 Partner in reply to moowife]

Oh you both are in my neck of the woods. Have either of you ever attending the Life with Cancer Lung Cancer Support group? I know lots of people that love it and find it very supportive? (lifewithcancer.org/about-us...

It sounds like he is through the tough part of treatment and I will say a lot of people mention the cough from radiation but you are right about watching for pneumonitis with immunotherapy. I have Phone Buddies with squamous type that have gone through treatment for recurrence and had good results with that combination of treatment so I hope the same is true for your husband. What is your husband's stage?

Also, since you mentioned that coughing, does your husband have a palliative care team to help manage and address side effect concerns? (inova.org/our-services/pall...

[moowife in reply to Miranda_GO2]

The time of Life with cancer group doesn't work for me. Palliative doc did nothing for him. Hate to contact him again

[Miranda_GO2 Partner in reply to moowife]

Sorry to hear that about palliative care, how many times did you meet with them?

As far as the support group, now that groups are being held virtually there are a few that allow people from anywhere to join that might work better for your schedule. Feel free to private message me if you want me to look into options.

[etpd2226]

Love her story!!! Go Bonnie. Continue thriving beyond lung cancer. Thank you so much for making my journey easier. God bless!!!😘💕

[JanetteR57]

without organisations like Go2 and Bonnie, there would be so many patients and their loved ones struggling to learn more. Her story and mission are inspiring.... thanks...