jls4913

I've been following Tom's posts for years and have read his book. I met him personally at a Hope Summit. I have seen that he really does, as you said, make the most of his life and he's been an inspiration to a lot of us here, including me.  You can have a good life. It may look different than what your life before cancer, what we call " a new normal." 
My lung cancer was Stage 1a and I only needed one lobe removed. Neither the loss of the lobe nor the surgery affected my life much. But an earlier non-lung cancer did affect me a lot. Actually it wasn't the cancer itself, but the treatment-- a big surgery that took out a whole load of lymph nodes as well as other things, some of which I didn't even know I had (what's an omentum?). Then concurrent chemo and radiation that damaged a lot of what was left. And additional chemo that left me with some neuropathy.  I for sure have a new normal! But it's a good normal. It continues to change with age. (I'm 77).  I didn't think I would live this long. I'm grateful for survival. 
I can still travel, one of my great joys. But the style of travel has changed.  I'm working part time at a job I enjoy and which is really flexible. All is well in my life. Who woulda thought?
Rooting for you to have successful treatment and find your new (good!) normal.
Bridget O
 

Tom, 
 
I can’t begin to describe how relieving it is to hear that someone else with 1 lung (leave alone 20 years survival!) is doing well. This itself has just made my day a whole lot better!
 
if you don’t mind, do you mind sharing what your daily life is like? Do you go for walks and hikes without problems? 
 
if you don’t mind, can I private message you?
 

Thank you so much for sharing your experience Tom - it sounds like even after your surgeries you were able to make the most of your life, which is very reassuring. Me, having been diagnosed in my 30s, the fear is that i only have a few years left of “the good life” before my lungs start limiting me. And I want so much more. But it sounds like age is starting to play more of a limiting factor…which oddly gives me a sense of relief, at least for my myself (I do hope you’ll be able to travel again though!).
 
btw I just noticed your book on your profile. I think I’ll spare you the constant blogging and read it instead to address the many follow up questions I had for you😂
thank you again and if there are any 1 lung survivors out there…feel free to post and wish you the best!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience Tom - it sounds like even after your surgeries you were able to make the most of your life, which is very reassuring. Me, having been diagnosed in my 30s, the fear is that i only have a few years left of “the good life” before my lungs start limiting me. And I want so much more. But it sounds like age is starting to play more of a limiting factor…which oddly gives me a sense of relief, at least for my myself (I do hope you’ll be able to travel again though!).
 
btw I just noticed your book on your profile. I think I’ll spare you the constant blogging and read it instead to address the many follow up questions I had for you😂
thank you again and if there are any 1 lung survivors out there…feel free to post and wish you the best!

Tom, 
 
I can’t begin to describe how relieving it is to hear that someone else with 1 lung (leave alone 20 years survival!) is doing well. This itself has just made my day a whole lot better!
 
if you don’t mind, do you mind sharing what your daily life is like? Do you go for walks and hikes without problems? 
 
if you don’t mind, can I private message you?
 

Thank you Lou! Yes, I’m doing my best to avoid searching “Dr Google.” The data on my specific cancer is very old and fortunately we know much more about it now…I’ve been told the goal of my surgery is to achieve prolonged long term control so I will probably live with this cancer for the rest of my life…however, I’m counting my lucky stars that this was caught before it spread to my other lung. And I have a supportive family and network to guide me through the process. 
 
looking forward to hearing from others and their experiences!

J,
Yes, there are other survivors with one lung here and I'm sure you'll be hearing from them soon.  In the meantime there are three things I'd like to share with you.  The first so you can educate yourself on this disease and the second to help you through your surgery.  I'll also let you know that you SHOULD NOT go searching for prognosis and survival data on Dr. Google.  The data there is based on five-year averages and do not consider new treatments and individual outcomes.  Stick around, educate yourself, and know that we will be here to support you.
"Lung Cancer 101" has volumes of information on this disease with everything from the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and survival. The best primer I've seen on this disease is a blog titled; "10 Steps to Surviving Lung Cancer; From a Survivor" (from a survivor with one lung) and it can be found here. Last is an article titled, "Tips and Trick for Thoracic Surgery".  It has information to help you through pre-surgery, hospitalization, and post-surgery.   Know that there is hope, there are many survivors here (I'm one) as a group we've been diagnosed at all stages, with all causes, and varied treatments, so we have a great amount of knowledge and experience to share with you.  You're not alone in this.
Lou

Hi All,
Not technically "lung" cancer, but here goes...
I'm in my 30s and was recently diagnosed with a stage IV invasive thymoma. It's a rare tumor of the chest and it is currently invading my right lung. Currently on chemotherapy right now to shrink the size of the tumor before surgery, but the surgeon thinks I definitely need to lose my right upper lobe. On my last CT scans, there were also signs of it invading the other lobes of my right lung...so it is very possible that I will need to have my right lung removed with the pleura. Leaving me with just my left. 
 
I've been a jogger pretty much my whole life, jogging every day. I also do weight lifting and try to "keep in shape." Knowing that I'm going to probably lose my ability to keep this up is quite devastating, but I want to live. Any other survivors with 1 lung here? Mind sharing your experiences? How's the recovery and are you able to still keep an active lifestyle?
Thanks,
J