My New Challenge - Non S2K Related
02-12-2002, 04:44 PM
#1
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As some of you already know, I was recently diagnosed with Non Small Cell Lung Cancer, Stage IV, and just started chemotherapy today. Stage 4 means that it is inoperable and has spread across both my lungs, originating from a tumor on my right lung. I plan to be as active as I have in the past with the people/meets/drives/ and events, as far as I can be. It is too early to tell what my prognosis will be and I have to avoid crowds and cant do any mechanical work that may involve getting a hand scraped or cut. Depending upon how things progress, I may have to ask for assistance or resign from my Board position as Events Director. I am so looking forward to some of the upcomg drives, like Asheville and Frank's road course, but probably will not know until the last minute if I can attend.
The general statistics for my disease is 85% chance of living 6-9 months and 15% chance of living 5 years or longer. My prognosis will not be known until 2 weeks after my second chemotherapy treatment, which will be 3-4 weeks from today. I will keep you posted on my progress.
To date, I have had an on/off cough for the past 3 months and finally went to see my Dr. I have undergone the following in the past 4 weeks, numerous chest x-rays, physical exams, CT scan, colonoscopy, ultrasound, ENT, thoracic surgery and bronchscopy....bottom line is every hole and one new hole has been probed in my body. They collapsed my left lung and removed 3 cups of fluid along with a bunch of nodules, the nodeuls were found to be cancerous by the Pathologist.
If it wasnt for my cough, I would have never even known I had anything wrong with me....I had a physical last September, a month before I had started coughing, and there were no apparent problems with me. All my blood tests and bone marrow is clean as is my other major organs, so far. I feel like I have a good chance of falling into that 15% group of surviviors. I dont smoke and live a relatively healthy life as far as eating and exercising.
I am not looking for sympathy and dont want you guys to treat me any differently, just to be aware so if you think you have a cold, try to avoid kissing me
Oh yeah, one more thing, I will probably lose what little hair I still have at some point and will become anemic, so, if see a weird bald looking guy driving a white S2000, its probably me.
The general statistics for my disease is 85% chance of living 6-9 months and 15% chance of living 5 years or longer. My prognosis will not be known until 2 weeks after my second chemotherapy treatment, which will be 3-4 weeks from today. I will keep you posted on my progress.
To date, I have had an on/off cough for the past 3 months and finally went to see my Dr. I have undergone the following in the past 4 weeks, numerous chest x-rays, physical exams, CT scan, colonoscopy, ultrasound, ENT, thoracic surgery and bronchscopy....bottom line is every hole and one new hole has been probed in my body. They collapsed my left lung and removed 3 cups of fluid along with a bunch of nodules, the nodeuls were found to be cancerous by the Pathologist.
If it wasnt for my cough, I would have never even known I had anything wrong with me....I had a physical last September, a month before I had started coughing, and there were no apparent problems with me. All my blood tests and bone marrow is clean as is my other major organs, so far. I feel like I have a good chance of falling into that 15% group of surviviors. I dont smoke and live a relatively healthy life as far as eating and exercising.
I am not looking for sympathy and dont want you guys to treat me any differently, just to be aware so if you think you have a cold, try to avoid kissing me
Oh yeah, one more thing, I will probably lose what little hair I still have at some point and will become anemic, so, if see a weird bald looking guy driving a white S2000, its probably me.
02-12-2002, 05:06 PM
#4
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Don't know what to say...I am really lost for words, which doesn't happen often.You are a strong person and I don't think there is much I can say to further comfort you. I am sure you'll stick to your original plan of enjoying your remaining time, be that months or years - hopefully years. If you need any help maintenancing your car (oil change and such), just ask and I will be there. Can't say I'll walk on fire for you, but I'll crawl underneath the car for you.
Nice to see you are still in good spirit.
02-12-2002, 05:12 PM
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For those that know me, I have a very positive attitude in life and will maintain that attitude no matter the results.....it's been a great experience meeting all the folks on this board and have developed some great friendships....its almost like a second family
02-12-2002, 05:13 PM
#7
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Originally posted by HopkintonMA
I am not looking for sympathy and dont want you guys to treat me any differently, just to be aware so if you think you have a cold, try to avoid kissing me
Oh yeah, one more thing, I will probably lose what little hair I still have at some point and will become anemic, so, if see a weird bald looking guy driving a white S2000, its probably me.
I am not looking for sympathy and dont want you guys to treat me any differently, just to be aware so if you think you have a cold, try to avoid kissing me
Oh yeah, one more thing, I will probably lose what little hair I still have at some point and will become anemic, so, if see a weird bald looking guy driving a white S2000, its probably me.
Oh and what if we don't have a cold?
PUCKER UP BABY!!!!
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02-12-2002, 05:37 PM
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Dana,
I truly wish you the best with the treatment and if there is anything I can do to help you, please do not hesitate to ask. I'm only a few miles away. As s2kskibum has pointed out, you truly do have the right attitude and that will be your greatest asset in beating this.
John
I truly wish you the best with the treatment and if there is anything I can do to help you, please do not hesitate to ask. I'm only a few miles away. As s2kskibum has pointed out, you truly do have the right attitude and that will be your greatest asset in beating this.
John