Diagnosed With Lung Cancer After Yearly Screening

Hi. My name is Tracy. I am a 55 year-old, single Mom of 3 incredible kids. I lost both my parents at young ages to cancer. My Dad passed away at 42 due to brain cancer, and my Mom at 55 from lung cancer. I went for a yearly screening as I’m a smoker and found out I had a nodule measuring 24 mm in my left lung.

Getting My Lung Nodule Tested

After having a PET scan and a bronchoscopy, they found cancer in my right and left lymph node as well as the left lung. After watching my parents go through cancer, I’ve kind of been waiting for this to happen. My brother also died from lung cancer. I have a lot of trauma due to all I’ve been through with my family members, and it scares me to death thinking I’m going to subject my adult children to the same baggage and trauma I have concerning cancer.

Learning My Treatment Options For Lung Cancer

I have my first appointment with oncology on Monday, August 26th, 2024 to discuss treatment options. I’d be lying if I said I’m ok right now. I’m more scared as to how this is going to affect my kids and what effect this will have on them. The last thing I want is to cause them any trauma for them to carry with them for the rest of their lives. I wish there was an easy way to go through all this but I don't think there is.

Embracing Positivity In Uncertain Times

Everyone tells me to try to be positive, but from thinking back, I don’t feel any aspect of cancer is positive. I’m all my kids have and it terrifies me that at some point I won’t be here any longer. I'm terrified they’re going to feel lost like I did when I lost my parents. I also have a 14 month old beautiful granddaughter who I adore. I don’t know much about new treatment options, and am eager to see what the doctor's thoughts are regarding my options. I hope everyone is doing ok today and trying to stay positive.