Hope and Lung CancerWhen I was diagnosed with lung cancer, I really didn’t understand the true meaning of hope. Yes, we hear others saying, “There is hope, or be hopeful,” but honestly, many...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Making the Most of SummerSummer is my favorite season, and I look forward to summer every year. But once I started on Alectinib, being in the sun became challenging. Because of my treatment, I...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Coping With Life’s Obstacles While Battling Lung CancerEditor's Note: This article includes references to self-harm. If you or someone you know needs support, we encourage you to seek help from a mental health professional or a trusted...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Remembering Ivy ElkinsWe are profoundly heartbroken to share with the community that Health Leader Ivy Elkins passed away on June 23, 2024, at the age of 57. Ivy was diagnosed with lung...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Health Leader Answers: Mental Health From Diagnosis to TreatmentWe asked some of our Health Leaders about their experiences managing their mental health and relationships after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Their answers highlight the emotional effect of a...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
When Cancer Interrupts Your Life: How to CopeI recently heard a lady that was recently diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer state that she was tired of cancer interrupting her life. I must say that I totally understood...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Reprogramming StigmaHow do and can we change the stigma that is strongly placed when we speak about lung cancer? It was suggested that this cancer only stems from smoking so if...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Coping With My Symptoms As They ComeHaving stage 4 lung cancer may be incurable but my effective treatment and ongoing care has led me living a better quality of life. Despite surviving for years, I am...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Hearing the Word “Stable”At my recent quarterly scans, I heard the word “stable” once again. This journey can bring so much uncertainty and often confusion. Some of us live to scan to scan...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
From Diagnosis to Greek AdventuresWhen I was diagnosed, I didn't think I would be able to travel and see the places I'd dreamed about. But I promised myself that if I lived longer than...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
The Perspective Shift of My LifeI learned that I had cancer in October of 2017. I felt like I was melting, that my body was literally sinking, and I was soon going to be just...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Stigma and Lung CancerI understand why so many people that are diagnosed with lung cancer don’t want to tell people. The stigma of lung cancer is so deep, and many are shamed by...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Understanding Hospice and Palliative CareThe words spoken by my mother that she had been diagnosed with lung cancer hit differently. It was such a back and forth with her not feeling well and the...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
What About the Caregivers?When someone is diagnosed with lung cancer, the focus is all on that individual, which is understandable because that person's life has been interrupted and turned upside down. But also...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Taking Care of My Mental HealthAs the years go by, boosting my mental health remains one of my priorities for survivorship. As I navigate my life with my illness, other mind-body practices can reduce my...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Lung Cancer Didn’t Win; I Won!I was diagnosed with lung cancer back in 2014, and through this journey, I was afraid of lung cancer winning. Then I realized I needed to live today, this moment...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Difference in OpinionsOne thing is for sure when facing any health condition, especially lung cancer, is that everyone has an opinion. Sometimes, opinions are warranted, and sometimes, they feel like rubbish. It...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Finding Hope With Lung CancerWhether you have been on the journey for a while or just starting out on this unknown path. Hearing that you have cancer of any kind comes as a shock...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
My Travel Goals While Prioritizing TreatmentIn September of last year, I traveled to the ancient cities of Rome and Pisa, Italy. The nine-hour flight on each way and going through three busy international airports took...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
My Lung Cancer Alteration of ALK GeneLittle did I know that we were all born with the ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) gene, but mine had an alteration. At diagnosis, I underwent a needle biopsy to get...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments