Susan Cornett

Tom,
I should have hired you as my new consultant with your knowledge of travel insurance.  As much as I don't want to admit it, I'm pretty sure I'm home for the long haul. My husband and I are considering an RV as a travel option because we can get away but not be reliant on others to clean up after us, feed us, etc. 
I'm with you - I didn't beat lung cancer to get taken out by this, either. I have plans!

Tom,
I should have hired you as my new consultant with your knowledge of travel insurance.  As much as I don't want to admit it, I'm pretty sure I'm home for the long haul. My husband and I are considering an RV as a travel option because we can get away but not be reliant on others to clean up after us, feed us, etc. 
I'm with you - I didn't beat lung cancer to get taken out by this, either. I have plans!

Susan,
I've had so many scheduled trips cancelled, I've become an expert in travel insurance claims!
My medical team all suggest a strict quarantine till herd immunity is established. This due to my very low pulmonary capacity and the primary attack point of the virus is my under capacity lung. I'm sitting this one out confined to the house or driving Martha to a shopping destination and remaining in the car. Martha disinfects everything brought into the house including Amazon packages and the mail. 
There is much clamor to open the nation and oddly I think that is a good idea. There won't be herd immunity till the virus spreads through a large portion of our population. A vaccine may help but I'm troubled by reports I've read about re-infection with COVID-like symptoms. So this may behave like our annual flu virus where virologists take a best guess at a vaccine formulation that may not have any effect on the virus in circulation. 
One more thing I think about---I don't want to have waged a successful campaign against lung cancer to be taken out by a simple virus! So, I am staying inside and....
Staying the course.
Tom

Congratulations Susan!
Four years is a wonderful milestone and next year, you might move to semiannual scans! 
Thank you for being an advocate for lung cancer awareness and for your support of those who join our forum seeking guidance and answers. Research is vital to improving outcomes but your work on our forum is equally vital in making the case that hope is still a good thing.
Stay the course.
Tom

So so so very happy for you! You are absolutely my rock.

Newly diagnosed April 11, 2019, and it is so good to read all of this information from survivors...do not compare my new life with lung cancer to my old one.  I need to start a journal with all of these quotes in it to get me through my dark days.  Thanks to all for sharing...

Loved seeing this Susan... Sorry for being late in congratulating you. I admire you and want you to know that it does inspire others, like me...

I've been so hit or miss here lately that I'm just seeing this.  I'm sorry for your loss, and her family, but it sounds like she didn't give in to cancer and lived her life on her terms.  We should all be so fortunate to live that way.  

Susan,
I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner as I would have responded right away. So happy to hear that today is a better day. I hope that the treatment starts as soon as possible and completely understand your frustration and feelings of anxiety. Here's to many more sunrises and sunsets ahead!!
 
Ro

You are entitled to a meltdown whenever you need/chose/are overcome by one! I'm glad today is a better day.
Bridget O

Thank you all for indulging my meltdown yesterday.  Today is a better day because I decided it would be.  The sun is out (FINALLY) and I'm alive.  I don't believe I can ask for much more than that.
 

Susan I hope today is a better and I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. Big Hugs
Tske Care
Paula

Susan,
I often think about how things might be if the roles were reversed and I was the cancer patient, not my mom.  I always wish that I could be the one who had gotten cancer, not my mom. She has enough to deal with with all of her other medical issues and taking care of my dad.  But then I really think that my mom would probably worry even more if her only child were the one with cancer.  I couldn't even imagine having to tell my parents that I have cancer.  You are a brave woman to not only confront your battle head on, but also to try to soften the blow for your parents.  And it sounds like you are lucky to have Neil!  I have a very small family too - no siblings or children either.  It's pretty much just my parents and I (my husband isn't as supportive!).  I understand the stress that comes with a small family unit and how we try to soften the blow for any type of bad news.  I am so sorry you are having to battle this recurrence and I am as equally as sorry that you had the stress of sharing your news with your parents.  Sometimes I don't know which is worse.  
I hope that your treatment begins quickly so you can get this bout done and over with!  I am thinking of you and your family, sending hugs and awaiting to start my happy dance for you.
Take Care,
Steff

Susan- I am so sorry you are going through this. Sending soft hugs.

The logical part of my brain knows the SBRT is the way to go.  In addition to the article you shared, I found a lot of great articles about it; very promising.  But today is one of those days - I'm tired/anxious/frustrated/done with cancer and have spent the day in tears.  The last couple of weeks have been stressful with appointments and scans and waiting.  Just ready to get this treatment under my belt and get out of my own head!  

I meet with Super Radiation Doc on Wednesday - but it will likely be SBRT. 

I meet with Super Radiation Doc on Wednesday - but it will likely be SBRT. 

Susan,
SBRT is good stuff. It fried my non-cooperating tumor and resulted in my long tenured NED. I've done a lot of reading on the Abscopal Effect and this is reflective of what I've learned. We both share NSCLC that is resistant to targeted therapy and perhaps even immunotherapy, but my chemo-resistant tumor stopped growing and spreading after but three - 15 minute treatments by CyberKnife in early 2007.  I've had quarterly, then bi-annual scans since and all have been NED.
Tell super rad-doc to lock and load and blast that son of a b&#*& into scar tissue!
Stay the course.
Tom

I meet with Super Radiation Doc on Wednesday - but it will likely be SBRT. 

Susan,
I totally agree that explaining and discussing this with our parents is one of the most difficult parts of the process. I see the pain in their eyes and feel so badly to be putting them through all the worry. No matter how we say it, they will be scared...I don't blame them as I would feel the same if it were my children.
What is super doc's plan for treating this recurrence?
 
Best,
 
Ro

Still feel that way Susan-every single day!!
 
Ro

Susan,
Since receiving the lung cancer diagnosis last summer, I have come to realize that no matter what I feel on the inside, it really is inside me. People do not look at me and see differences, because the scars are hidden. Sharing information with others who are dealing with difficult situations, and/or responding on these forums, has been extremely beneficial. I try to live my life with a smile on my face and recognize that there are many people in the world who need support because their situation is even more difficult than mine. When I go about my day, I can function in my "new normal" and feel quite well physically and emotionally. It's leading up to that next scan that the anxiety sets in..but as Tom said in his post, to stay the course is so important. I wish I knew what else to say. As KatieB said, we did not choose cancer, but once faced with it, we have to figure out how to beat it, stay strong, and move forward. I'm with you and your struggles!!!
 
Ro

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments.  I guess, after two years, I'm still adjusting to the dreaded "new normal".  There are many aspects of this site that I enjoy, but coming here to write what is on my mind is probably the best.  My husband understands but you all really understand.  
Wishing you a happy day!

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments.  I guess, after two years, I'm still adjusting to the dreaded "new normal".  There are many aspects of this site that I enjoy, but coming here to write what is on my mind is probably the best.  My husband understands but you all really understand.  
Wishing you a happy day!

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments.  I guess, after two years, I'm still adjusting to the dreaded "new normal".  There are many aspects of this site that I enjoy, but coming here to write what is on my mind is probably the best.  My husband understands but you all really understand.  
Wishing you a happy day!