What is one thing you learned about cancer that surprised you?

[Denzie]

Sometimes we talk about the gifts of cancer, sometimes it's things we just didn't know.

[anrean]

I was surprised to learn that you can live with cancer for many years in a "stable" state, which is not the same as remission. If someone told me in my early cancers that I would be going without treatment even though I have cancer, I would have been terrified. Now it is just part of the process.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to anrean]

How did you feel the first time you were told come back in a year?

[anrean in reply to Denzie]

Very scared that something would go wrong in that year and I wouldn't know it fast enough, I still feel that way. A year is too long for my mind to feel comfortable even though I have gone 4 years in stable condition

[Ncpoet]

I learned how strong I was. Never really thought of myself that way. When I was diagnosed with stage 4 in 2013, I decided that this cancer would not kill me. Prior to my diagnosis, I had lost my father-in-law and three cousins to lung cancer. Instead of allowing myself to think the worst and succumb to negative thinking, I chose to believe I would be OK. Romans 12:12 became my mantra. I filled my life with hope, joy, faith, and lots of laughter. I became like that old Timex watch commercial, “Takes a licking, but keeps on ticking.” My lung cancer has been in remission since 2016 and I continue to positively believe I will survive. Recently, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My periodic chest scan for lung cancer found it. I just had surgery two weeks ago and the cancer was confined to the tumor. None showed up outside tumor or 14 lymph nodes taken. I am stage 1. So you could say having lung cancer has saved my life by finding this tumor early and showed me that I continue to be strong. I will survive whatever life throws at me. I lost my husband in 2019. Before cancer, I could have never dreamed I could survive losing him. I loved him that much and he was my rock. But cancer has shown me I am strong and my desire to live is stronger.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Thank you for sharing your experience. You have an amazing story.