Looking at the Positives of Having Lung Cancer - Am I Crazy?Okay, this post is probably going to have a lot of people looking at me and thinking I have gone stark-raving crazy. But, here goes anyway! I participate in a...reactions8comments
Eyes, Vision Changes, and Cancer TherapyCancer treatment has so many side effects. Some pleasant, some unpleasant. An unexpected side effect is changes in your vision. I have been in cancer therapy of some kind for over four...reactionscomments
Panic Attack...or Something More Nefarious?I have had more CT scans than I can count since I was diagnosed with lung cancer. I was always given iodinated contrast dye to make the scans easier to...reactionscomments
The Shock of Looking in the Mirror -- Cancer and Body ChangesThe body can change rapidly when undergoing cancer treatment. Some of the ways this happens are practically part of our popular culture: the hair loss, the sallow complexion, the frail...reactionscomments
Advocating for Lung Cancer to Get "Equal Time"I am on a forum with people who have all kinds of cancer. A lot of the members have had breast cancer so many posts there relate to issues concerning...reactionscomments
The Uncomfortableness of GriefI grew up in a stoic family. My parents did not express their sadness very often to us kids. We either saw happy or angry. Sadness was often hidden or done privately. In...reactionscomments
Protecting Those We Love From WorryI've always tried to be a protector. I've been that guy who goes into the fray to break up fights. I've been the sponge that has absorbed the stresses and...reactions2comments
Participating in the Scientist-Survivor ProgramI recently I had the honor of participating in the American Association for Cancer Research’s Scientist-Survivor Program (SSP). It was the 20-year anniversary since its inception and there were 31...reactionscomments
Advocating to Defeat Lung CancerDespite advances in early detection and treatments options, lung cancer remains the leading cancer killer of women and men in the U.S. Only 18 percent of those with lung cancer...reactionscomments
Going Off-LabelThere is a push among some cancer researchers to treat cancers based on genetic mutations rather than their area of origin. Because some breast cancers, for example, share mutations that...reactionscomments
Drug-Free Pain ReliefSometimes we all get tired of taking pills or having injections. Sometimes, perhaps, we simply want to try other options. For patients with mild to moderate or persistent pain, it...reactionscomments
Why Are We So Afraid of Death?Lung cancer patients often enter treatment with a comparatively poor prognosis and statistically low chances of surviving more than a few years. Looking at the information aggregated over the past...reactionscomments
Never Been NED, but There's Still TomorrowDo you ever think back to your childhood? About the things you learned, the conversations you were a part of, the ones you overheard from adults? Not just the fun...reactionscomments
Anxiety... An Unwelcome VisitorI recently saw a study that found that lung cancer patients who do not have anxiety or depression live longer than those who do. I was surprised to find this...reactions2comments
Interviews, Surveys, & Patient ResearchAs a new lung cancer patient, you will soon discover many Facebook groups or pages with other survivors. Along the way, sometimes another member may post an opportunity for an...reactionscomments
Relationships, Dating, and Stage 4 Lung CancerI cannot begin to describe how aggravating this part of surviving is. After all, who wants to have a serious relationship with someone with cancer? Who wants to listen to...reactions5comments
Get Off Your Duff and Get Moving!There are a few articles hitting the news lately about how too much sitting contributes to a number of cancers. The reason for this spate of news is a talk...reactionscomments
Being an Empowered PatientLung cancer patients should be empowered to have a voice in selecting the oncologist or surgeon to lead their healthcare team. I spoke with an old friend today that just...reactionscomments
Let’s Talk About Clinical Trial WashoutsA friend of mine — a fellow EGFR lung cancer survivor — passed away this week. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurrence in the lung cancer community, but there...reactions2comments
Pets, Responsibilities, and the Lung Cancer PatientWhen I was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer, I was quickly asked by more than a few people if I would be getting rid of my cats. They are...reactionscomments