Recently Diagnosed?

Are you reeling from the recent news that you possibly have lung cancer? Are you in the midst of telling your family and friends and find that #1 they all have questions, and #2 everyone's brother/sister/cousin/best friend's cousin's wife's brother had it and then they proceed to tell you how their experience went? I'm sure you are. So what do I have to say about that - STOP!

Everyone's experience is their own

Once you have been officially diagnosed you will find that you will meet many patients with the same cancer as you and everyone has a different experience. No one reacts the same to anything. Now, does that mean don't talk to anyone? Absolutely not. Do you know someone who has lung cancer (someone close to you)? That is the perfect person to talk to.

Some things are the same for every cancer patient. The source must be found, staging must begin and then a treatment plan can be established. What this means is that you will have x-rays, CT scans, PET scans and tons of blood work. Those of us who are unfortunately veterans can help you at this point. We know exactly what is running through your head and how unbearable you must feel it is. You will find the strength to deal with whatever the future holds - it may simply take time.

Quieting the negative thoughts

Let's just put it out there - right now I bet all you can think about is "when am I going to die" and "how will my family function without me." As hard as this sounds, and I've been there, you just have to stop thinking that way. I don't know you but I KNOW you will find the strength within you that you never knew you had to deal with what is to come. When I was diagnosed 4-1/2 years ago, I had a tumor in 4 of my 5 lobes and in my lymph nodes. No one thought I'd be here today - BUT I AM!!

That is a testament to my medical team and to the strength I found within to keep going. Don't let anyone fool you and tell you it is a battle - it is not. It is a constant drive to keep going. Nothing infuriates more than when I hear someone say they lost their battle when speaking about a cancer patient. We have done no such thing. We have simply persisted in getting up each day, going about our day and keeping our mental capacity in a positive mood. WE HAVE WON THE BATTLE because we found it in the first place.

My advice to those recently diagnosed

My advice to you. Read "Dr. Google" with caution - a lot of that information is not proven. Many people say stay off the internet but I'm not naive and know you have already searched and searched. Just be cautious.

Editor’s Note: We are extremely saddened to say that on January 28, 2020, Jennifer Toth passed away. Jennifer was a passionate advocate for the Lung Cancer community. She will be deeply missed.