Eleven years. Who’d have thought it possible.

[Denzie]

Today marks the end of year eleven and the first day of year 12. Hard to believe I’ve traveled around the sun 11 times with this cancer. This is a copy and paste of something I wrote last year. I couldn’t say it any better.

———————————————————-

Much to my amazement, and that of my family, friends and medical team, today marks the anniversary of Day One of a 10 year journey with stage 4 lung cancer. My sister calls me a unicorn because 10 year survivors of this disease are not supposed to exist. At the risk of offending Descartes - I exist, therefore I am.

Another way to look at it might just be that today is Day One of Year Eleven. There is something beautiful and magical to be found in each day. Some days you have to look hard to find it but it’s there.

My greatest hope on this anniversary is that many of you join me achieving this mythical status. I hope that so many of you achieve this status that we no longer have mythical status. That we become the norm rather than the outliers. There are other unicorns out there and I’m thrilled to have met them. But I want to see more.

I’m here today because of medical research. I’m here because someone, somewhere, somewhen participated in clinical trials. I’m here because people uncounted donated to medical research. Without those two things I would not exist. Please support them. Donate. Participate.

Thank you to my family, friends and God for bringing me this far.

[ynkefan08753]

Well I think I speak for everyone when I say I’m glad you’re here! You’ve been a super huge help to all the members and especially the new ones. Cancer is a big thing to navigate through and it’s always nice to have someone there to help with any questions, concerns or just to vent. You’ve helped me a bunch and I can’t wait to get to MY 12th year. I’m coming up on 7 years….I have a few more to go to catch you! Lol. Xoxoxo

[Swimdown]

That’s brilliant Denzie wishing you many more years beyond 12! I’m just into my fourth year and praying I catch-up with you. Take care x

[JanetteR57]

Congratulations on another cancerversary - you're an amazing supportive survivor in this community - long may you continue to be such a force.... hope you've found a suitable way to celebrate... x

[Ncpoet]

Wow! You are our inspiration! So happy for you!

[sally70]

Congratulations Denzie, I am very pleased for you and I am a little ashamed to say I am also envious. I long to look back in 10 years and say 'Denzie was one of the first people who made me believe I could get this far and she is now over 20 years into survivorship'. Thank you Denzie you have really made a difference. X

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to sally70]

That’s so sweet! When I connected with another survivor in his 12th year I burst into tears. I had no idea that you could live with this.

[kri312]

I find your story so inspiring and comforting in my journey - thank you for giving us all hope and wishing you many more trips around the sun !!

[TomAnderson]

Eloquently put, Denzie.

One thing cancer has taught me is how little the general public -- and even some in the medical community -- know about the advances made in the treatment of certain types of the disease. I've gone from Stage IV NSCLC to N.E.D. in less than one year and look forward to counting the years like you. I'm off to Mayo Clinic this morning for my every six weeks immunotherapy infusion; one year from now we are scheduled to be done with those and I too will be able to put cancer treatment in my rearview mirror.

Thank you for your positivity.

[Bow-19]

Congratulations. Hope you are celebrating 🥳. Amazing x

[Kaylee20]

Denzie this is wonderful to read. You have always been a shining light for me to follow. Your positive attitude and guidance to all cancer patients has helped so many of us. You keep going girlfriend because I can't wait till next year to hear the end of year 12 and start of year 13. Karen in Minnesota

[Beepers7]

Greetings Denzie,Congratulations and thank you for being there for us new members. You give us hope as you lead us through this journey.

May God continue to bless you ❤️

[StLScorp]

That is just amazing ... AND ... One of the best examples of encouragement for your fellow Stage IV lung cancer patients ... I'm only nearly the end of my 2nd year and I intended to match your time!

[Ollie13]

🤗🤗🤗❤❤❤❤

[Ay1e5bury]

You are a wonderful inspiration, Denzie! Thank you for the past 11 years and bringing hope to so many of us! Love, Cecily

[Moranj]

Well done!! I’m heading towards 7 years in July 2022. Cheers to many more!🍻

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

At 7 years you’re a unicorn too!

[June2081]

Denzie many good thoughts and good wishes as you contunir your life, experience, strength and hope! I am approaching year 10 with NSCLC, a recent biopsy showed my cancer had transformed to SCLC and I am not a happy camper. After all these years of research on the nsc type I am thrust into a new Treatment plan (for which I am grateful but still a bit confused as to where I stand now 😔 😘

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to June2081]

With this length of survivorship you have achieved unicorn status , IMHO.

Very sorry to read of this new diagnosis. I know they will be aggressive and that immunotherapy will likely be an important element of your treatment.

Are you on Facebook? There’s a group there called NSCLC with SCLC Transformation. I hope you can connect with others who’ve had good outcomes there.

[Michelezeh Administrator]

We're so glad you're here and Happy 12 years!! Thank you for being you and all you do for the Lung Cancer Community! We love you and and onto a great year. xoxo

[June2081]

I am on FB and I will try and connect, congratulations to you and wish continued health to all.God Bless

Liz

[tennis4two]

You are an inspiration to me and I thank you for that. Nothing better than giving someone hope through all we go through. I will pray to become a unicorn. Thank you for being there for so many of us.

[cmilashoski]

Hi denzie, I used to read all your positive stuff I haven't been on in a while and I just want to let you guys know that I made it to my 5th Year with no evidence of disease my doctor will never say the word cancer free but I'm all right with the Ned!!! I didn't think I'd make it this long and I'm hoping for another at least 15 more I don't ever want to go through that again I pray everyday for all the people that go through this I hope they make it as far as you did and hopefully I'll be telling you this in another five or six years and I'm still here.yay!!! I believe in the power of prayer and of course the medical team

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to cmilashoski]

So glad you checked in to share your good news. May you enjoy many more milestones. I hope to meet you back here when you celebrate ten and fifteen years.