I was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer on October 2021.  This was a complete shock and it came following severe pain and collapse after experiencing a stitch like pain under my left rib cage.  After collapsing in pain at the our farm at Kojonup WA I ended up at Fiona Stanley Hospital.  They managed the pain and sent me home.  I had thankfully already had a CT scan and blood tests that were ordered by another Dr and this showed that I had a mass on my adrenal gland. 

 

Following a PET scan and a referral to an Adrenal Specialist he identified that I had lung cancer and adrenal cancer and a lymph node with cancer.

I was then booked in to hospital for a biopsy on my lung and a meeting with an oncologist.

I was told that at 58 I had stage 4 lung cancer and would die within 6 months if I did not have treatment.

 

I started treatment in November 2021 and had a massively strong allergic reaction to the chemotherapy.  I refused to have more.  My feeling was that as I was not "sick" when I arrived at the oncologist then I refused to have something that was going to make me feel sick and awful for goodness knows how long.  I was then told that the other option was immunotherapy but there was no guarantee that it would work with the type of cancer I had.  I have been on immunotherapy for 14 months now and feeling really well.  I have a little bit of joint pain.  Otherwise I have been able to maintain a normal life and I feel well.  I have been able to travel and enjoy all the days that I have.  It has beena game changer.  I am so thankful for the research that has made immunotherapy possible.  It is just so awesome. 

 

I am doing all the things that I have wanted to and continue to.  I know that I will not be cured of the cancer, but I want to live my best life for as long as I possibly can.  I have been married, since the diagnosis to my long term partner Steve.  That was on my bucket list.  I have been able to retire from work after 22 years in the Public Service.  I have seen one of my sons buy his first home and one of my others by a farmlet which has been a long term goal of his.  I went on a cruise on the Queen Elizabeth.  There are lots of other things that I would like to do.  A trip to Scotland and one to New Zealand is in there but I wonder if there are other things small things that I should add to that list.

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Lulu74
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I am SO happy for you!  My mum was just diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer, and I am totally heart broken.  I am looking for inspiration to move forward and do what I can to help my mum.

 

We have started chemo and she has been sick.  I don't think immunotherapy is an option for us because she has rheumatoid arthritis but I will ask the oncologist at our next appointment.  

 

I am praying for a miracle 🙏

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