When first diagnosed I was told that I MIGHT survive 10-15 months with the most aggressive treatment available. That was October of 2010. When my birthday came in July of 2011, I sincerely believed I would die within a few months.
So I decided to go out in style. I threw myself a big birthday bash. There were tents, kegs, cases of wine and tons of food. My musician friends brought instruments. It was an all day affair.
That was ten years ago. Today I'm celebrating the tenth anniversary of that last birthday. I never, in my life would have thought I'd live more than the 15 months. Later I found other survivors on social media and learned that it was possible to live with lung cancer.
Lung cancer opened the world for me in ways I would never have imagined possible. Its not the life I planned but it's the life I've been given and I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's brought some amazing people into my life as well as opportunities to travel for the purpose of advocacy as well as pleasure.
Does cancer suck? You betcha! But it has taught me to find the beauty in each day and I find that I continue to have much to be grateful for.
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Denzie
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Wow beautifully spoken!!!You are one of my hero’s. If you can live 10 plus years, so can I. Thank you for the love, hope, support, and advocacy!!! Congrats and Happy Birthday ❤️😊.
You are an inspiration, Denzie. Maybe I should throw a big party. Who doesn’t like parties?I’m glad for you…..as I continue my own lung cancer journey.
Here's to many more anniversaries of that date - it was 10 years for me on 13th January - I've met survivors of 20+ years since but had no idea at the time... and since then so many more treatments and so much more known about lung cancer - but more to do.... enjoy your celebrations...
Congratulations to Denzie and Jeanette. I love reading your positive posts it has helped me so much on this journey with my partner. He was given 12-18 months in March 2020 with stage 4 lung cancer inoperable. We are going to the hospital today for his final treatment, the tumor has shrunk and he is doing very well. This diagnosis does change your life, it makes you appreciate everything and every day. Never give up. God bless you all ❤️
It truly is life changing for both the patient and those who love and care for them. I'm excited for him to finish so he can focus on living the best life possible. Being the caregiver is more difficult than we acknowledge. Thank you for not walking away from that and researching to be his best advocate instead.
You inspire me at a time when I/we truly need it! I always said I wanted no end times and intended to concentrate on a speck of positive light growing brighter down the line of treatment.
Diagnosed mid 2019, Immunotherapy attacked me instead of the cancer in Autumn.
I had a seizure during first lock down in spring 2020 awaiting the start of chemotherapy which was followed by Gamma Knife surgery to brain then radiotherapy to lungs, and now I've had another week of unconsciousness in hospital which is currently under investigation (resting at home).
After that very recent further setback we felt dismal ....words such as yours have cheered us. Awaiting the results of recent PET scan and due an MRI in coming week, we're hoping for a plan from our consultant.
It's a different life, but one we choose to tolerate.
You inspire me. I have been through a lot but nothing as challenging or as frightening as trying to get treatment mid pandemic. When I am fatigued and unsure that I'm doing any good, posts like yours motivate me to do more.
I wish I could! I was trying to spend my money before I died. Fortunately, I outlived my savings and the meager contents of my IRA (most of which went for COBRA insurance). Sending hope that you thrive for a very long time.
Thank you for such an uplifting story of your journey and sharing your encouragement for the future to live the best life we can! Early on, when I felt like a mouse in a maze in the dark, one of my doctors said "Attitude is half the battle. Don't look back and remember, there's a higher power." You reinforce that advice with your strength of character and positive attitude. Also, MacColl - here's hoping you get the answers you need from your tests and get some relief from the doctors.
"Attitude is half the battle. Don't look back and remember, there's a higher power." Your doctor is one smart cookie! (Channeling my grandmother 👵). Scars, like CTs show us what was, not where we're going.
I like that about scars since I added some more in April for my breast cancer surgery. Stage 1, don’t need chemo or radiation, just daily estrogen blocker pill. Just had another CT for lungs in June. NED, just scars. I no longer mind scars!
Thank you so much - I can see that we aren't anywhere near as alone as we can feel, and bless every one of you that can offer such hope and encouragement.
Wow what an incredible story. You are such an inspiration to people being diagnosed. What I find so difficult to understand is why so many people such as yourself & Jeanette are survivors but, others such as my husband who was only stage 3 operable didn’t make it? I know the oncologist failed my husband...I’m currently in the middle of an enquiry but, I can’t get my head around the wonderful length of time some people “live” with lung cancer. Can anyone explain ?
KT22, I am deeply sorry for your loss and pain. Cancer is a smart cell that will find its way around treatment causing a new, sometimes more aggressive mutation.
Medical science is trying to understand why some of us have such durable response to treatment when others with smaller tumor burden and less aggressive cancers die. To that end I am participating in a longitudinal study (vs trial) that tries to answer that question.
It's called the Network of Enigmatic Exceptional Responders through the medical school at Harvard. So far they have found thousands of differences in our DNA. That's a lot of mutations to explore. Hopefully they find answers swiftly.
So sorry about your husband... you ask an interesting question - I ask similarly about what protects the many smokers who never develop it yet some never smokers like me develop it.... so much more to research and understand.... but having spent time in conferences and working on national lung cancer committees with those involved in several studies, I've learnt a lot more about some of the nuances in data including survival statistics - and note that there are many variances dependent on the site of the tumour, its size and stage, how people respond to the type of treatment and other conditions that patients may have that may be medicated.... there was a really good presentation recently on one of the webinars about the issues faced by patients who have lung cancer and a heart condition for example.... on the committees I've been part of in Europe and UK, I've learnt that stage 3 is the stage that clinicians most disagree about treatment types and order of treatments...but I've met and worked with some who were told 'there was no hope' over 20 years ago - and those told less than 12 months who've lived around 5 years on newer treatments so they certainly gave me hope..... my dad had bowel cancer in his 50s (twice) and two major resections yet his best friend who had the same cancer didn't survive - my dad had another primary bowel cancer at 86 in 2016 but survived that too and is now 91.... so my approach to it all may have differed from those who'd had different experiences with relatives... clearly still a lot more to research and understand... my thoughts are with you...
Thank you for your kind words & thoughts Denzie & Janette. I really do appreciate you taking the time to reply. My husband was the fittest healthiest person & on no medication at all prior to being diagnosed with lung cancer...he went to our GP with weight loss, no cough or anything. He had 40% of his right lung removed & we were told he was cancer free, then 4 months later he fell & CT revealed secondary brain mets. The chemo & immuno we’re far too aggressive for his by then weakened body & it killed him. I wish you both every happiness & hope you continue to bear this cruel disease. It’s good you are participating in studies & research, something I find incredibly interesting.
I have been absolutely devastated by losing my husband who was only 67 & I’m merely existing rather than living, Covid restrictions haven’t helped the bereavement.
Wow, Denzie. You're amazing and thank you for sharing your journey with us. Your post brought me tears but your strength inspires me/us. Wishing you many, many more years of clean scans and good health! 🤞🙏💕
Thank you. I send hope that your dad's surgery is successful and uncomplicated. You've been an amazing advocate for him and that makes a terrific difference for him.
Happy 10th magnificent Birthday my friend! You have been an inspiration to not only me, but to many. Wishing you more years of inspiring others and living your best life.
Peg, we've both been through so much. Thank you for all of your advocacy and the commitment you've made to moderating the SurviveIt page. You bring help and comfort to so many.
Thank you! How are you doing? Did that lesion turn out to be cancerous? I'm hoping to read your update here in 5 years when you've reached the 10 year mark.
Happy 10th birthday Denzie. I just love reading your inspiring posts on this website and Inspire website. You always make me see that anything is possible and your posts always give me hope. Keep up the good work Denzie because I appreciate you. I'm so happy for you. Karen in Minnesota
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