Susan Cornett

There are definitely ups and downs with cancer and treatments and all of the extras that go with it. Some days it is 2 steps forward and 47 steps back. In the first 2.5 years of my journey, I had the initial diagnosis, two recurrences and thyroid cancer. But it's been 5 years as stage IV and I'm here. I have rough days from time to time because of lingering side effects but those side effects sure beat the alternative. Just keep coming back here. We all understand where you are. Hang in there.

A lot of those pesky side effects can go away quickly once treatment is started, especially if you get radiation. I coughed like crazy and once my tumor was removed, the coughing stopped. Seriously - I haven't coughed much in the last 5 years!

Hi Rikki. I had an upper left lobectomy in 2016. My pain is on my left side, under my arm and down my rib cage. It comes and goes but when it comes, oh wow does it hurt. I also have numbness in my left breast and some nerves that continue to work incorrectly. Touching my left side in the front is felt under my arm or on my back. I would definitely mention the pain to your team just to rule anything else out.

I'm also going to jump on the "don't throw in the towel just yet" team. All of this sucks. It does and no one can tell us otherwise. Thoughts of chemo and radiation and fatigue are just too much. But some of these treatments can provide some relief from symptoms and give you more time to make all the plans and decisions you need to make. Whatever you decide, we're here for you so lean on us.

Hello there - just chiming in to say hello and welcome. In my opinion, the roughest part is the wait for a plan. As others have said, you'll likely have some sort of chemo so let us know. Some of us have had a chemo cocktail or two and can give you some tips. I just celebrated 5 years as stage IV adenocarcinoma, and I've been cancer free for 2+ years. Hang in there.

Hey Tom - I didn't know there was a subreddit out there but so glad you posted. Any way that we can get people good information is aces. Too many people just jump onto Dr. Google and don't check their sources. Have a super day!

Hi Matt and welcome. You've already received lots of good information from others. If the surgeon is able to use minimally invasive procedures, that will speed up the recovery phase. Given COVID and the tail end of flu season, try to keep her away from others as much as possible. She is lucky to have you in her corner. Keep us posted.

Today marks 5 years since my diagnosis. It seems like just yesterday but also a lifetime ago - at the same time. It brought me to the club I never wanted to join but introduced me to so many wonderful people. I am thankful for my medical team and all of the research and advancements that got me to this point. Looking forward to marking next year's cancerversary with all of you.

Welcome, Kristina! So glad you found us and hope that you find everything you need on this site. You and your husband certainly have your hands full but happy to see that you live close to great care. Hope your husband's success on Tagrisso continues and that you are doing well with your cancer.

Hi Curry - There's not much I can add - everyone here has given you great information. It's an overwhelming, crappy, scary diagnosis but it can be survived. There are many long term survivors on here. Look to them when you're having a rough day. We're always here for you -

Fingers crossed for good scans for all!

I got my first dose of the vaccine the last week of December. My husband and I registered with the county - we thought - as a placeholder. We both had appointments within days. I won't complain because I'm very fortunate to have received the vaccine but it was a mess. I was able to stand for 3 hours but there were seniors there who had issues. Line was outside with NO place to sit. I'm scheduled to get my second dose in a couple of weeks. I am thankful that the vaccine rollout - as rough as it is - is underway.

Hi Ellen - Has your dad's medical team scheduled his next scan? That might help locate the source of the pain, but as Lexie said, all of us react differently to different treatments. Radiation clobbered me - the fatigue was overwhelming. Just make sure his team knows what hurts, what's working, what isn't. Side effects stink but they can be managed. Keep us posted.

`I had an upper left lobectomy in 2016 followed by a recurrence in 2017 and another recurrence in 2018. My cancer had spread to my lymph nodes prior to diagnosis so it was not a surprise that the recurrence was in a lymph node in the aortic arch part of my chest. My second recurrence was in the bottom of my lower left lung. With the first recurrence, Super Doc biopsied it to confirm it was the same cancer (it was). With the second recurrence, he didn't recommend and I didn't request a biopsy. I didn't care what "flavor" it was - I just wanted it gone. I'm not cancer free 2+ years since the las

Hi Melissa and welcome. I certainly understand trying to make financial decisions in the middle of treatment. Right before I was diagnosed, my husband quit his job to start his own company. We then found ourselves staring down the barrel of a stage 4 diagnosis and the possibility that surviving on disability might be in our future. Whew that was a time but it all worked out. It took us about 2 years to make a big financial decision but now we are finally comfortable making (most) decisions without considering my cancer future. Good to hear you have an awesome support system and medical t