November is Lung Cancer Awareness month. After seeing pink almost everywhere, most people know October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The pink ribbon campaign and other similar events have increased the awareness of breast cancer and its symptoms dramatically over the last few years. My older sister and her daughter are both breast cancer survivors and are strong advocates for breast cancer awareness. After being diagnosed with lung cancer, I hope to help raise the awareness of lung cancer and its symptoms as well.
Last week I wrote about being diagnosed with lung cancer and the early doctor visits that lead to the eventual reality.
What I thought was a nagging cold turned into my worst fear. I had made several trips to the doctor over the previous months and was treated for a cold, sinus infection, bronchitis, pneumonia, copd, etc. I had a chest x-ray and it showed possibly pneumonia or scar tissues. Three rounds of antibiotics and a couple rounds of steroids did not help. My breathing was very wheezy and I could feel a tightness in my chest.
As I look back, I wonder if I should have been more aggressive with the doctor when the routine treatments and antibiotics were not helping. Hindsight is always 20/20 as they say!
I have completed 18 weeks of chemotherapy and 37 radiation treatments. I go back to my oncologist for the first follow up since finishing the chemo and radiation. I find myself struggling with what’s next. I want to know what the heck is going on inside me. I know there will be more scans eventually but then what? I wonder if there will ever be a time when cancer doesn’t consume almost every waking thought. I wonder how to make the transition from patient to survivor. I guess that is the big question everyone has in this position.
I had the follow up with my oncologist last Tuesday. As luck would have it I had come down with a bit of a cold the last weekend and developed more of a cough and congestion. Needless to say, I was concerned about the cough and what that really meant.
The oncologist told me I was looking very good and I had handled the chemo and radiation very well. He listened to my chest and lungs and said he wasn’t worried about the cough at all. He said “I think you are well” and that I may just have a cough from time to time. He said we would do a full PET scan before the end of the year (I’ve met my deductible for this year.) So, it is more of the waiting game.
As we left the office and were waiting on the elevator I told my wife I felt silly crying over a good reports. She simply said those are the best kind, tears of happiness.
I know I still have a long way to go and I am taking it one step at a time. We are going to visit my family in Illinois over Thanksgiving. I am thankful I have wonderful support from my doctors, family and friends. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday.
