Dress for the Occasion

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Lisa Moran on June 6, 2023.  As a cherished member of LungCancer.net and a source of inspiration, Lisa generously and bravely shared her journey, touching and inspiring many in our community. Her courage fuels our mission, and her legacy will endure in our work. Her absence will be deeply felt, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to all who held her dear. We consider it a privilege that Lisa allowed us into her life, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts and our community.

My lung cancer treatments had consisted of oral targeted therapies and radiation treatments since my 2015 diagnosis. I didn’t hit the need for iv chemotherapy until the summer of 2020.

Intravenous chemotherapy was new to me

I woke up the morning of July 2, 2020, and picked out a lung cancer t-shirt to wear to my first chemo infusion. After I got dressed, it didn’t feel right. It was a big day and a special occasion. Continuing my lung cancer fight and adding new weapons to the arsenal and to my daily targeted therapy deserved more than jeans and a t-shirt.

I picked out a pinup outfit with bright turquoise pants and a polka dot top. I curled and styled my hair and I put on makeup for the first time in months.

I wasn't dressing up while home alone

During my pandemic self-isolation, I was staying at home. Since the second week of March, I had avoided any social events and even running errands. Friends were picking up and bringing needed items to me. I also used a grocery delivery service. I hadn’t dressed in more than pajamas, yoga pants or shorts and a t-shirt at home.

It gave me a sense of power to choose to get dolled up for my chemotherapy infusion. I decided I would dress pinup for every chemo treatment.

Advice from someone that's been there

My aunt gave me great advice and shared her personal cancer experience with me when I received my lung cancer diagnosis. She said to let your oncologist know you are a person and not just a patient. She also told me that even on days when she couldn’t even walk on her own to and from the car for her appointments, she got dressed up in her work clothes and entered the infusion center singing to the oncology nurses, “Hit me With Your Best Shot.”

I’m sure that made her stand out among the other cancer patients.

It's all about making an impression

I have been on a treatment schedule with chemotherapy infusions every three weeks. I also return to the infusion center for extra fluids a day after and then a couple of days after that. I realized at my first fluids appointment, while not on purpose, I had made an impression by dressing pinup for my chemo treatments. The woman at the check-in desk and nurses asked why I wasn’t dressed up. I explained that I was saving the special outfits for treatments and I would dress casual for the palliative fluids infusions.

The truth was I hadn’t completely thought out the idea of dressing pinup so often. I needed more clothes. This forced me to be creative, dig deep in the closet, and pair items that I hadn’t before. It’s also made me more internet shopping savvy, finding the best deals, and sales possible.  And while on the interwebs, I found new pinup communities and a new way to advocate for lung cancer awareness. I post my outfits and lung cancer updates on social media using the hashtag #pinupwithcancer.