On February 7, 2006, I was diagnosed with lung cancer. I was 52 years old. Those are some scary words to hear from your doctor – “you have lung cancer” – particularly when you had no symptoms that might have indicated there was any issue. My cancer was found when I...
My dad died at the age of 56; he was a husband of 35 years and a father to three children. He lived for 18 months after receiving his lung cancer diagnosis before dying on Christmas Eve of 2004. His cancer was not found until it was stage IV with brain metastasis. He...
When my grandpa Norb was diagnosed with lung cancer, I was seven years old. I didn't understand much about it at the time, of course, but I clearly remember the palpable helplessness that engulfed my family and the fact that no matter who I asked, no one said Grandpa...
My journey with lung cancer began in November 2007. My desire to seek a support group began in August 2008. At that time, the only talking support system for lung cancer survivors was a Wednesday telephone-only contact program in Raleigh. Beth Williams was my...
Saying Steve Shakal has been through a lot would be an understatement. Initially misdiagnosed, later tests revealed not one, but three growths: a 10 cm tumor on his right lung, that had spread to his second and third ribs, a tumor on his vocal chords, and another...
Over the past few years, Michael McKay has gotten involved with the Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina with hopes to draw more attention and funding to lung cancer. From securing sponsorships for the 5K events across the state, to asking for silent auction items...
My story has been a happy journey so far....but that is not true for everyone diagnosed with lung cancer. My name is Jenner Lee and I am a survivor. I was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in 2009, had surgery and have been cancer free for 5 years...and counting! I became...
My personal journey with Lung Cancer and how it has impacted my life starts some time before my mother was officially diagnosed with Stage IIIA at 50 years of age on March 17, 2008. It begins in September of 2005. At this time my husband and I made the decision to...
When I was diagnosed with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the spring of 2003, I was shocked and dismayed to learn that the 5-year survival rate of this terrible disease was a dismal 15%. What a frightening statistic! I received treatment at UNC Cancer Center in Chapel...
In the Fall of 2011, I had completed my yearly physical, blood work, and mammogram and thought everything was fine. When I returned a month later for my flu shot, my primary care doctor asked the familiar question- “Is there anything else going on?” Jokingly I replied...