Lung Cancer Non small stage 3A Survivor

donna406
donna406 Member Posts: 2
in Lung Cancer #1
I moved to Georgia in 2008, previously I lived in Florida working in the medical field since 1981. When I moved to my new home I decided to go back to work to meet people. I was 58 years old at the time. I ended up getting a job for a large Pulmonary Group of Doctors. I was diagnosed simply by luck. My office purchased a Cat Scan machine and the Tech was learning a new technic on calcium scoring. I offered myself for her to practice on.
It was during that scan that I was found to have a cancerous mass in my upper left chest, Dec 8, 2010. I was told by one of the Doctor's I worked closely with. He was gentle and very concerned, I on the other hand just thought it was surreal and saw his lips but still had not heard the word CANCER. I knew I was sick but I knew that I would get better and the fight began. By Dec. 14th I was staged with Stage 3B Non Small Cell Lung Cancer. I was seen by my Oncologist and my Thoracic Surgeon and was scheduled for Surgery Jan 4, 2011 for a insertion of a port. I was scheduled to start my chemo on Jan. 5th 2011. On April 23, 2011 I had a left upper lobectomy performed. Back to some more heavy chemo. The second week after I started on my first round of chemo I was beginning to lose chunks of hair. I still did not give Cancer a fighting chance. I told everyone and myself this is me I belong to me not to cancer and I will beat this. I wanted to give up a number of times, I had severe reactions to the chemo and was in and out the hospital a few times. I finally ended chemo 4 rounds early as I could take no more. One year later my CT is clean and the port was just removed last week after 2 clean CT's.
So why am I depressed?? I ask myself that alot but understand that I am always wondering will it return. I am reading alot now about depression after being a suvivor and its normal.
So just want to say Hi to everyone and share my story. I am new I just joined today. I wish everyone who is diagnosed with a form of any disease to just hang in and fight for your "me"

Comments

  • dennycee
    dennycee Member Posts: 857 Member
    #2
    Hello Donna, and welcome to
    Hello Donna, and welcome to one of the most supportive sites ever. I am sorry for the circumstances that bring you here but glad that you found this. You have the heart of a true fighter, I am always glad when I read that a new person has decided that they will not allow themselves to be defined by cancer. I am glad that you understand also that the depression and the concern that the cancer is back with each new twinge are normal reactions. Please consider taking a mild antidepressant if you are not already taking one. Also, you may find comfort in joining a survivor group.

    I have found that mild exercise helps me fight off depression. There is a program offered by Gilda's Club or the Cancer Support Community called Transitions designed to help cancer patients find that "new normal" through diet, exercise,emotional support and more. This is a 6 week program, they are about to offer this as an online program. Many of the YMCAs on the east coast offer the Livestrong program. A 12 week program designed to help cancer patients "achieve their goals such as building muscle mass and strength; increasing flexibility and endurance; and improving confidence and self-esteem".

    Let me know if you want more info. You readers on the west coast need to get with your local Y and tell them to apply for a grant to establish local programs.
  • donna406
    donna406 Member Posts: 2
    #3
    dennycee said:

    Hello Donna, and welcome to
    Hello Donna, and welcome to one of the most supportive sites ever. I am sorry for the circumstances that bring you here but glad that you found this. You have the heart of a true fighter, I am always glad when I read that a new person has decided that they will not allow themselves to be defined by cancer. I am glad that you understand also that the depression and the concern that the cancer is back with each new twinge are normal reactions. Please consider taking a mild antidepressant if you are not already taking one. Also, you may find comfort in joining a survivor group.

    I have found that mild exercise helps me fight off depression. There is a program offered by Gilda's Club or the Cancer Support Community called Transitions designed to help cancer patients find that "new normal" through diet, exercise,emotional support and more. This is a 6 week program, they are about to offer this as an online program. Many of the YMCAs on the east coast offer the Livestrong program. A 12 week program designed to help cancer patients "achieve their goals such as building muscle mass and strength; increasing flexibility and endurance; and improving confidence and self-esteem".

    Let me know if you want more info. You readers on the west coast need to get with your local Y and tell them to apply for a grant to establish local programs.

    I want to thank you for your reply to my post.
    I am very interested in information on the Transitions program. I live in Georgia a town called Acworth. It is 20 miles Northwest of Atlanta.
    I also have neuropathy in both my feet which makes in difficult to walk any long time. I have lost alot of muscle mass and need to join some program. The local Y is far for me and would really appreciate any direction you can give to me
    Thank you again
    Donna
  • dennycee
    dennycee Member Posts: 857 Member
    #4
    donna406 said:

    I want to thank you for your reply to my post.
    I am very interested in information on the Transitions program. I live in Georgia a town called Acworth. It is 20 miles Northwest of Atlanta.
    I also have neuropathy in both my feet which makes in difficult to walk any long time. I have lost alot of muscle mass and need to join some program. The local Y is far for me and would really appreciate any direction you can give to me
    Thank you again
    Donna

    Hi Donna, The facility that
    Hi Donna, The facility that hosted the Transitions program here in my area is called the Cancer Support Community. They have a sister center in the northern part of Atlanta, contact info: Cancer Support Community-Atlanta, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite C-225,
    Atlanta. 404.843.1880 http://cancersupportcommunityatlanta.org/home.php

    If they are too far from your home call your hospitals social worker, he/she should be able to put you in touch with a survivors group.

    I am hoping someone will have info on how long it takes neuropathy to go away. It's been 15 months since I finished chemo and I still have some residual neuropathy.

    Best Regards,
    Denny

Discussion Boards