There are moments when we both forget about cancer…
PERSONAL STORY OF E. NIKOLOPOULOU, family member
On Christmas 2021, my family would face a major challenge. The lung cancer challenge. My husband, 73, had just retired, when he had to rush to the hospital with heart attack symptoms. Soon after New Year’s Day, myocarditis along with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma were diagnosed. Four lobes’ foci and two brain foci.
Brain foci were treated with radiosurgery but lung cancer was inoperable.
My husband smoked from an early age and quit immediately after diagnosis. He avoided early screening. And I often wonder why the GP had not suggested a CT scan earlier, knowing that my husband belonged to the high risk groups.
Biomarker testing showed no mutation in any gene. Following chemotherapy and immunotherapy, I dare say that his current condition, a year and a half after diagnosis, is excellent. Truth is, he has never shown any disease symptoms and the side effects of treatments have been relatively mild.
I needed psychological support to get back on my feet. I went to visit a specialist but was reluctant to take prescribed medication prior to counseling sessions, as suggested.
My husband was the one who tried to support me. His courage helped me come into terms with the challenge. We were in this together! He found information about the public hospital with the cyberknife radiosurgery system. Of course, having no symptoms even at such an advanced stage made all the difference and allowed him to get on with his life and make plans for the future.
He even decided to have a major total joint replacement surgery and deal with his chronic osteoarthritis. At first, doctors were hesitant because of the disease, but they undertook the risk, because they could see how confident he was about the surgery. Everything ran smoothly, the damage was fixed and my husband gained strength and confidence.
We are now moving on with our lives, trying to keep our peace of mind. We even took a break from therapies to enjoy some summer vacations by the sea. The sea is a blessing, a special treatment on its own. There are moments when we both forget about cancer and I pray from the bottom of my heart for this to continue as long as possible.
I just wish to send a message of hope and optimism to all impacted by lung cancer.
Never give up! Keep on moving forward! Do all the things you always considered to do but put always put off (from replacing the bathroom tiles to going to the movies more often)! Even in the hardest times, think positive and don’t forget, one step at a time!
Thank you FairLife L.C.C. for the chance to share our own lung cancer experience! I hope the best for everyone living and struggling with the disease.
