Financial Assistance and Lung CancerI don't get how financial assistance is supposed to work, especially when you have a dependent. They don't even pro-rate. My 16-year-old daughter still lives with me. I'm a single mom and...reactionscomments
The Effect Lung Cancer Has On RelationshipsIt is hard to say which part of lung cancer is harder: the physical pain of the diagnosis or the emotional pain that creeps in when friends and loved ones...reactions3comments
Overcoming the BlahsA case of the blahs can be absolutely debilitating. When you don’t want to do anything. You don’t care about anything. Showering some days is just a difficult task. Getting...reactionscomments
My Caregiver, My TwinMy twin sister is one of my biggest supporters. When I was diagnosed, she was on a travel nursing assignment in Connecticut. She started her nursing career about 10 years...reactionscomments
The Advocacy WhyThis year has been pleasantly busy and I say that as with everything going on with this virus, politics, and everything else, well, it’s good to let the mind go...reactions2comments
Do We Need a New Model for Lung Cancer Screening?In the lung cancer community, the percentage of patients who are diagnosed with lung cancer, but have never smoked has been growing since the early 2000s. According to surgeon Andrew...reactions2comments
Be Careful Out ThereWhen you are diagnosed with lung cancer you become quite valuable. You are now able to tell a side of the story that unless you are living it you just...reactionscomments
Unforgettable Friendships with Lung Cancer PatientsFor so many years, all the people I interacted with had some working relationship with me. I didn't have personal friends, and it didn't bother me. When I had lung...reactions12comments
Spotlight: Jim and Kristina BurkeRecently, Kristina Burke reached out to me through our EGFR Resisters website. She told me that her husband Jim was diagnosed with stage IV EGFR positive lung cancer in August...reactionscomments
To The Newly Diagnosed...I recently had a friend from high school reach out to me. Although she lives in Texas, her friend she wanted me to meet was in the county next to mine. A...reactions2comments
How to Demotivate an Advocate: From an HR Point of ViewI'm not a great advocate. I write about lung cancer and help people by being available to listen. But that is not me going out into the world and screaming to the...reactionscomments
My Best FriendA lung cancer diagnosis can be very isolating. Before you are diagnosed you are living your life. You may be working, retired, a stay-at-home parent but you are living your...reactions8comments
How Are You Doing, Doctor?During recent labs, my doctor and I were just chatting. We were not talking about illness or cancer or COVID-19. Just chatting. He often says that he feels like he...reactionscomments
When A Fighting Spirit MattersHaving a chronic lung disease paves a path to lit your fighting spirit. The majority of survivors including myself choose to fight the disease. We are continuously driven to increase...reactionscomments
Upcoming Lung Association Lung Cancer Event Focuses on Mind, Body and SpiritThe American Lung Association is pleased to host its second ever virtual Lung Cancer Patient Meetup on May 11, 2021. This event will feature experts in the field speaking on...reactionscomments
Surviving Survivor's GuiltI had never heard the term “survivor's guilt” before I was diagnosed with lung cancer. Even months after diagnosis I did not know the term. As months went by, I...reactionscomments
I Lost My Independence And How I Gained It BackAfter I was diagnosed with lung cancer, I lost my independence. I had just finished up a five-day hospital stay. Along with my parents, I went back to their house...reactionscomments
Having Great Co-SurvivorsIn my lung cancer journey, I have been blessed with a number of people who I consider my co-survivors. They give their support as I fight and survive my life-threatening...reactions1comment
Perceptions of Palliative CareDo you know what palliative care is? According to the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC), “Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. This...reactions1comment
Celebrating Another MilestoneEight years ago I was told I had 12-18 months to live. As I said, that was 8 years ago. My daughter was 7 when I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung...reactionscomments
