Today marks 2 weeks of being smoke-free for me. I had been smoking for 52 years, mostly a pack/day, but more in the last 4 years since I retired. On February 3 (2015) I went to the ER room, as I had diagnosed myself, via Dr. Google, as having pleurisy, and needing an antibiotic to cure it. A chest X-ray was taken, revealing a 3cm. mass in my lung. I was not surprised to learn that I had lung cancer, and then began 6 weeks of tests, consultations and a measure of anxiety. My family doctor told me that I must quit smoking immediately, but I determined that I would wait and see what my prognosis was, before adding additional stress associated with quitting smoking. The doctors said I was very fortunate to have caught my cancer early, and a simple removal of the mass was all that was needed. I had my last cigarette on April 14th, had the lower third of my lung removed on the 15th, and have been smoke-free since. This quit has been quite easy. Many times throughout the years I had said that I was going to quit, but I guess I never really wanted to before. I want to this time, and not because of fear. Mostly, it is because I am just tired of it. Had I waited just one more day, I never would have gone to the ER, for my "pleurisy" was cleared up the next day. I never had any other symptoms of lung cancer! One thing that I am going to talk to my doctor about is encouraging people who have lung cancer in their family history (as I do), to ask for a chest X-ray every few years. Chest X-rays are not a routine part of a physical exam! They screen for so many other kinds of cancers, but not lung. So...I am happy to report that my recuperation from surgery is going well...I am almost 100% pain free, and beginning to resume some daily routines. My hope here is that someone who has been smoking a long time, and has lung cancer family history, is fortunate enough to catch it early, via a chest X-ray. Lung cancer is called the SILENT KILLER because it is diagnosed mostly after other symptoms manifest themselves, and it is usually too late. Be proactive...a chest X-ray every few years is not going to kill you...Meanwhile, quit smoking!
