I had a Questionable Catscan
Lung Cancer Survivor
Let Go and Let God
My lung cancer journey has sure taught me how to Let Go and Let God. The first few years after undergoing surgery, chemo, and radiation were my scariest days. I was told that I had a 20-25% survival rate the first five years. I learned to live my life and thank God for everyday but in the back of my mind was the voice reminding me of my odds. I have great faith in God but I am human and want to live a long and happy life. It was a great relief when I passed the five year mark of surviving lung cancer. I was able to breath easier and have high hopes that everything would be ok.
Definition of lung cancer by Medical News Today
Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that start off in one or both lungs; usually in the cells that line the air passages. The abnormal cells do not develop into healthy lung tissue, they divide rapidly and form tumors
Seven Years Cancer-Free
I will be seven years cancer-free this coming March. My anniversary date is March 17, St. Patrick's Day, which is fitting as I'm part Irish. My oncologist told me a year ago that I could wait one year between scans at this point because the specific type of lung cancer I had usually comes back within three years if it comes back. What a mile-stone I had reached last year and I hope and pray God continues to bless me.
I had my first yearly cat scan in the beginning of December. My oncologist said that it was a questionable scan because they found a spot on my lower lobe of my right lung. My mouth dropped when she said those words to me. I felt as like I was going to faint right there. I was starting to feel very comfortable about my survival and now I must deal with an abnormal cat scan. These are the times I have to remind myself to LET GO and LET GOD. He knows what is best for me and I have to try to trust even in times of fear such as this.
Although the scan was questionable, my oncologist was encouraging and said she is not real concerned. She reminded me that I have had two past scans that were abnormal. One scan looked wispy which turned out to be pneumonia. The next visit, the scan was back to normal and my pneumonia cleared up. The second abnormal scan showed a very tiny nodule or spot on my lung. The next visit the scan was normal and the spot had disappeared.
The oncologist was reassuring by reminding me that after surviving this cancer for almost seven years, the odds are slim that it would come back at this point. She even gave me the choice to come back to check out the spot in three months or six. Of course I quickly said, "three months please." I guess the fact that she was comfortable letting me wait it out for six months is a good thing. She said, "Linda, I tend to worry a lot about my patients but I am not worried about this. She also reminded me that if the normal population was scanned as often as I am, that they would have abnormal scans from time to time. I just sat there in front of my oncologist, taking in every positive word she uttered. I try to re-play these positive tapes in my mind when I start to panic.
Please say a prayer that all is well when I go back in March for my follow-up scan. God Bless you all and live every day like it's your last, as none of us knows when God will call us home.
Lung Cancer
Are you a Lung Cancer Survivor
© 2011 Linda Rogers