Well I am now 5 months since diagnosis. I am stage IV and am receiving chemo in the form of a daily tablet -Iressa. Iressa is a targeted chemotherapy, the side effects are not as bad as traditional chemo, so my quality of life is good.
I tested positive to the EGFR mutation, which I thought I would as I have already had and survived a malignant melanoma. Both my parents have had and survived cancer, sadly an aunt and uncle didn't, they were a similar age to what I am now (50).
I didn't want to know how long anyone thought I am have left, I don't want to be ticking off the days on a calendar! I feel the stats are out of date anyway. I have decided I am going to survive this by being positive and staying as healthy as I can for as long as I can. I did work as an operating theatre nurse, which I can't do anymore, I would never pass the medical!
In the meantime, I am going on holiday, having fun and trying to be as 'normal' as possible. I did the race for life, walking not running (I couldn't run before anyway) completed course in under 50 minutes (raised £2,000) and spending time with those I love.
I'm not giving up, I'm fighting!