Just Chel

I too am ALK positive. Although the surgery was successful in removing the cancer from my lung and lymph node, I had to have chemo and radiation simultaneously. I am currently cancer free, but still get checked every 3 months. I am also relieved to know there is another line of defence if it were to reoccur.   Keytrude has now been approved to 1st line for lung cancer. 
 

I too am ALK positive. Although the surgery was successful in removing the cancer from my lung and lymph node, I had to have chemo and radiation simultaneously. I am currently cancer free, but still get checked every 3 months. I am also relieved to know there is another line of defence if it were to reoccur.   Keytrude has now been approved to 1st line for lung cancer. 
 

Hello Everyone, 
A year ago I received the news no one ever wants to hear. You have Stage 3A cancer. To say my husband and I were in shock is putting it mildly since I have never smoked my entire life. I had absolutely no symptoms. My cancer was found by accident during a CT scan for a totally unrelated issue. Acid Refux saved my life. 
After going through surgery, along with chemotherapy and radiation treatment, I am happy to say to say that as of today I am cancer free! I continue to get checked every 3 months for the next 2 to 3 years, but that is okay, I'm alive to get checked.

Thank you, Tylalla!  I feel so very blessed and feel that I was meant to tell my story so that we can spread the word not only for early detection, but in help finding a cure as well.
Happy Holidays!
Chel

Hi Just Chel, it's so great to hear you are NED! I hope your good news continues!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

Hello Everyone, 
A year ago I received the news no one ever wants to hear. You have Stage 3A cancer. To say my husband and I were in shock is putting it mildly since I have never smoked my entire life. I had absolutely no symptoms. My cancer was found by accident during a CT scan for a totally unrelated issue. Acid Refux saved my life. 
After going through surgery, along with chemotherapy and radiation treatment, I am happy to say to say that as of today I am cancer free! I continue to get checked every 3 months for the next 2 to 3 years, but that is okay, I'm alive to get checked.

Hi Just Chel and again congratulations with your year of NED.
Did you receive radiation before or after your surgery? My mother just had VATS surgery and a lobe removed along with two infected lymph nodes. They classified her as 3a adeno-squamous lung cancer. They mentioned giving her radiation and chemo after she heals. She did receive neoadjuvant chemo which made surgery possible. She also never smoked.
Curious as to your experiences.
God bless.
 

Thank you so much Lauren!   I have signed up to be an Advocate for LunGevity.  I feel like the reason I went through what I did with cancer was to tell my story and raise awareness for early detection!  I can't wait to get started....actually I have been an advocate for the past year and didn't realize it.  

I am happy to hear your great news! That is something to celebrate this holiday season!
There are many opportunities to get involved with LUNGevity. Here are a few https://www.lungevity.org/get-involved If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at lhumphries@lungevity.org
Lauren
--
Digital Community Manager
LUNGevity Foundation

Simply wonderful news.  We indeed have something to be thankful for.  All victories against the beast are indeed worthy.
Stay the course.
Tom

Congratulations! That is indeed great news. Here's to many more years of NED.

Hello Everyone, 
A year ago I received the news no one ever wants to hear. You have Stage 3A cancer. To say my husband and I were in shock is putting it mildly since I have never smoked my entire life. I had absolutely no symptoms. My cancer was found by accident during a CT scan for a totally unrelated issue. Acid Refux saved my life. 
After going through surgery, along with chemotherapy and radiation treatment, I am happy to say to say that as of today I am cancer free! I continue to get checked every 3 months for the next 2 to 3 years, but that is okay, I'm alive to get checked.

I too am ALK positive. Although the surgery was successful in removing the cancer from my lung and lymph node, I had to have chemo and radiation simultaneously. I am currently cancer free, but still get checked every 3 months. I am also relieved to know there is another line of defence if it were to reoccur.   Keytrude has now been approved to 1st line for lung cancer. 
 

Hi Steph,
I was diagnosed last year with Stage 3A NSCLC. I had surgery first because they thought they could get it all by doing a lobectomy of the top right lobe. They were surprised when they found it in a lymph node outside the lung. Unfortunately, Keytruda was not approved for first line, so I went through Chemotherapy and Radiation simultaneously.  I am currently still cancer free. Coincidentally, my great friend happens to be the Pharmaceutical rep for Keytruda in the Baltimore area.  She said the results have been so amazing! God forbid that my cancer comes back, but knowing that Keytruda is available makes me better.  I wish you the best, and never lose faith!  Keeping positive is the key to recovery. 

Hello Everyone, 
A year ago I received the news no one ever wants to hear. You have Stage 3A cancer. To say my husband and I were in shock is putting it mildly since I have never smoked my entire life. I had absolutely no symptoms. My cancer was found by accident during a CT scan for a totally unrelated issue. Acid Refux saved my life. 
After going through surgery, along with chemotherapy and radiation treatment, I am happy to say to say that as of today I am cancer free! I continue to get checked every 3 months for the next 2 to 3 years, but that is okay, I'm alive to get checked.

Hi Steph,
I was diagnosed last year with Stage 3A NSCLC. I had surgery first because they thought they could get it all by doing a lobectomy of the top right lobe. They were surprised when they found it in a lymph node outside the lung. Unfortunately, Keytruda was not approved for first line, so I went through Chemotherapy and Radiation simultaneously.  I am currently still cancer free. Coincidentally, my great friend happens to be the Pharmaceutical rep for Keytruda in the Baltimore area.  She said the results have been so amazing! God forbid that my cancer comes back, but knowing that Keytruda is available makes me better.  I wish you the best, and never lose faith!  Keeping positive is the key to recovery. 

I too am ALK positive. Although the surgery was successful in removing the cancer from my lung and lymph node, I had to have chemo and radiation simultaneously. I am currently cancer free, but still get checked every 3 months. I am also relieved to know there is another line of defence if it were to reoccur.   Keytrude has now been approved to 1st line for lung cancer. 
 

I am one of those patients with the ALK mutation, and have been taking Xalkori (crizintonib)for the past 9 months - exceeding the predicted time before resistance sets in. 
Currently in complete remission....... watch this space.
 
Its so good to know there are second and third line defenses after this one stops working.......

FANTASTIC NEWS!!!  

Hi everyone,
I am new to the group but hoping to visit often. I was diagnosed with stage 4 nsclc Sept 15 of this year and started a clinical trial with Keytruda almost 3 weeks ago (2nd treatment is this Friday). I quit smoking Oct 1st after 38 years of daily smoking. So far so good! Glad to see so many long term survivors on here, gives me hope