Hi, my name is Maria. I’ve been battling stage 4 lung cancer since 2022.
I didn’t experience any symptoms at all. I was only supposed to go in for a CT scan to check for gallstones. Instead, they found a tumor in my bottom left lobe.
The diagnosis only placed a bigger burden on me, leaving me quite overwhelmed. I can’t help but feel frightened and helpless.
I didn’t change anything about my lifestyle after being diagnosed.
Initially, my doctor recommended a treatment plan including surgery (segmentectomy) to remove part of my lung and targeted therapy.
Unfortunately, the operation was aborted as the cancer had spread to my pleura.
In the end, I only took up targeted therapy to treat the cancer. This also meant that the gallstones and hernia they found is inoperable, and can only be monitored for the time being.
I had mixed feelings about my treatment plan; on one hand, I was hopeful, but at the same time I was anxious.
While managing side effects like diarrhea, fatigue, and weight fluctuations was difficult, I tried to find relief with medications for some symptoms, exercise and better eating.
I haven’t made many new changes to my lifestyle, but I’ve tried to focus more on the people around me while I still can. Because my cancer is in stage 4, I am making plans to travel while I can.
In the next two years, I plan to enjoy life to the fullest, despite the uncertainties. I've booked three holidays with my loved ones and aim to seize every chance for outings with my best friends and family. When asked, I don’t say no. For me now, I want to wake up every day and go grab life. My biggest dream is to be with my family and to leave them knowing that I love them dearly.
My biggest fear has been not recovering. Right now, I live on a three-monthly basis. I have a CT scan each round to ensure the cancer is still stable. This is mentally draining but I do it, and I still have to wait a short time for scan results. Scanxiety is real and I try to cope, but each time is more and more worrying. You're always waiting for your scan, and then your meds, and then your results.
To deal with this, I meditate, and try to sleep as well as I can. Relaxing baths help. I keep busy when I can, volunteering at an elderly people’s club and also a cancer support centre.
I feel a strong mixture of anxiety and hope.
For those on their own cancer journey, I'd say: “Hope is key. Live each day as if it’s your last. Enjoy yourself. Tell your family and friends you love them. Advocate for yourself. Hydrate, rest and eat well.
Get good travel insurance. Spend the money, wear the new clothes, eat the chocolate. Don’t overthink your life choices and make memories.”
This patient's story is published and shared with their full consent. Any personal data that can be used to identify the patient has been omitted.
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