LaurenH

Hi, Mally, I hope all goes well next week! Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Hi, Julie, Welcome to LCSC. I am very sorry for your loss. Lung cancer is a terrible disease. I will reach out to our support team to see if we can connect you another former caregiver. With gratitude, Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Hi, Dani, Welcome to LCSC. I am sorry it has been a difficult few months, but you have come to a great place to connect with other patients/survivors in similar situations. You are definitely not alone! I became involved with LUNGevity after my uncle (now a 5 1/2 year survivor) was diagnosed with Stage IV NSCLC in 2011. He is also ALK-positive with brain mets. Early in his treatment, he underwent chemo, radiation, and few surgeries. He started taking Xalkori shortly after it was approved by the FDA, with very positive results. About a year ago, he switched to Alcensa and he's doing well on that targeted therapy. I will reach out to some of our other members who have ALK and encourage them to respond in this thread. In the meantime, please feel free to explore the discussion boards and blogs. If you have any specific questions, feel free to post them, or let me know if you'd like more information/resources about a particular topic. We are here for you! Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Hi, Nimo, Just wanted to check in and see how you and your dad are doing. Please post an update when you can. We are here for you. Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Hi, Teresa, How are you doing? Just wanted to check in and see if you have an update. Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Hi, Butterfly, Just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. Please post an update when you can! Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Hello! Here is an explanation of both types of radiation from LUNGevity's Lung Cancer 101 website: INTENSITY-MODULATED RADIATION THERAPY (IMRT) IMRT is an advanced form of 3D therapy. IMRT modifies the radiation by varying the intensity of each radiation beam. This technique allows a precise adjustment of radiation doses to the tissues within the target area, possibly allowing a higher radiation dose to the tumor and keeping more radiation away from nearby normal tissues. Many major hospitals and cancer centers now use IMRT. THREE-DIMENSIONAL CONFORMAL RADIATION THERAPY (3D-CRT) 3D-CRT uses special computers to precisely map the location of the tumor. Radiation beams are shaped and aimed at the tumor from several directions, which makes them less likely to damage normal tissues. Here's the link to the page if you'd like to read about other types https://www.lungevity.org/for-patients-caregivers/lung-cancer-101/treatment-options/radiation-therapy Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Hi, Lbelle, Just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. Please know that we are here for you and share an update when you can. Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Hi, Julie, I love that idiom! I think we can all follow your advice and take time every day to appreciate the meaningful things in our lives. Apparently, the benefits have been scientifically proven! Please post an update when you can. We are here for you! Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Hi, Nichole, Welcome to LCSC. This online community is a great place to connect with other survivors and ask questions and share experiences. I can encourage some of our younger members and members who are on targeted therapies to respond to this thread. Please let me know if you'd like additional resources or support and I will be happy to connect you. Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Hi, Dave, How did your treatment go? Please post an update when you can. We are here for you! Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Hi, Vicky, We're here for you! Please post an update when you can. Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Hi, Fred, Here is the link to the Targeted Therapy section of LUNGevity's Lung Cancer 101 website that Tom mentioned: https://www.lungevity.org/for-patients-caregivers/lung-cancer-101/treatment-options/targeted-therapy There is a lot of information plus a video on this page that explains diagnostic testing for genetic mutations in tumors. We are here to answer your questions! Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Hi, Fred, Welcome to LCSC. I'm glad to see that you've already connected with Tom and Susan. I hope that you make many meaningful connections on this site. Please feel free to explore the blogs and discussion boards and join in on any conversation that resonates with you. And, like Tom and Susan said, when you have questions, fire away! I'm glad you were able to move forward with the biospy and PET scan. I hope you get good news from the insurance company. Keep us posted! With gratitude, Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Hi, Ringo, Welcome to LCSC. We're glad you've joined this community. Please feel free to explore the discussion boards and join in any conversations that resonate with you. When you're comfortable, feel free to ask questions or share more information about your diagnosis and treatment. Tom is right about LCSC being different than other sites and forums. Everyone here has been affected by lung cancer in some way, either as a patient/survivor, caregiver, or advocate. We are here to support each other and learn from each other's experiences. I first started working for LUNGevity in 2011 when my uncle was diagnosed with Stage IV ALK. Last September, we celebrated his five-year milestone. When you're ready, fire away with any questions you may have for us! With gratitude, Lauren -- Lauren Humphries Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Hi, MG, It sounds like she is just as lucky to have you as you are to have her! Please continue to keep us posted. As Katie mentioned, we have support programs for survivors and caregivers, and I'm happy to provide you with more information or help you find resources. Several members on this site have experience with Tarceva, so I'll encourage them to join this conversation. With gratitude, Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

I was diagnosed in April 2017 with lung cancer (stage 4 adenocarcinoma with malignant pleural effusion). I celebrated my 47th birthday in May. My husband and I will celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary in July. We have a 12 year old daughter. This is my second stage 4 cancer diagnosis. The first was shortly after my husband asked me to marry him. I was 23 years old and had stage 4 Hodgkins. I was treated with a combination MOPP ABVD regimen. My life was placed on pause while I took 24 treatments and tried to make a new normal. After 15 months of chemotherapy, I was given a clean bill of health. The original plan included pinpoint radiation but after consulting the tumor board, my oncologist told me the group decision was to stop with chemo. Now I could plan my wedding and get on with my life. My oncologist and nurse even attended my wedding. Years later at a follow up, my oncologist told me that we dodged a bullet by not doing the radiation as many patients were now being diagnosed with leukemia or breast cancer. I remember feeling a cold shiver at the thought that I could have been in that position. We were blessed with a daughter even though I had been told I most likely would be sterile. Fast forward to 2017, I had a cold early in the year but could not shake the cough. I was given a couple of rounds of antibiotics, then was referred to the pulmonologist. I had a thoracentisis. The pulmonologist told me not to Google, but I did, not about pleural effusions but about long term effects of MOPP ABVD. The following week, he gave me the diagnosis and I admitted my transgression. Maybe the lung cancer is just the hand that I was dealt, but I can't help but tie it back to the treatment for Hodgkins. I have been very fortunate to have wonderful support from my family, friends, and co-workers. I have also had incredible medical care from physicians, nurses, and support staff. If any Hodgkins survivors who only had chemo and have also been diagnosed with lung cancer reach out to me, I would love to correspond and discuss histories. Thanks for reading my story.

Hi, Butterfly, Welcome to LCSC. I'm glad that you've already connected with Susan. She is a great resource! Please let us know if you have any other questions or would like more information/resources about lung cancer. With gratitude, Lauren -- Lauren Humphries Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Sarah, I don't think it's corny at all! I think that is a great mindset! You have been through a lot, but I'm glad you're able to find so many silver linings and that you've found solace in running. Hoping for good news on May 22! Please keep us posted. With gratitude, Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation P.S. We'll be your back up singers!

Hi, Carolyn, Welcome to LCSC. I will reach out to some of my support and survivorship team members to see if we can provide you with more information. With gratitude, Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Hi, Julie, I'm glad to hear your surgery went well! I'm happy you're recovering at home. Please continue to post updates when you can and know that we're thinking of you! With gratitude, Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Hi, Michelle, Thank you for the update! That is great news! Please continue to keep us posted. We're hoping for great scans next month! With gratitude, Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Hi, Laura, Just wanted to check in and see how you're doing? Please post an update when you can. Hope to hear from you soon! With gratitude, Lauren -- Digital

Hi, Lisa, Just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. Please let us know if we can help you find any information/resources specific to your diagnosis or if you'd like more information about LUNGevity's support and survivorship programs. Hope to hear from you soon! With gratitude, Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Hi, Mommy's Girl, Welcome to LCSC. We are glad that you found this community too. Just wanted to check in and see how you and your mom are doing? Hope to hear from you soon. With gratitude, Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation