Sue BB

I love that you are focusing on living! And I need to offer some caveats as you continue your lung cancer experience, perhaps for other folks who might be reading your blog than for you. (You sound like you are working your way into understanding that can sustain you and I'm glad for that.)
I want to say that your friend's comment enters into the zone we call toxic positivity. It's often what some folks offer people with cancer when they don't know what else to say to show love or support. You're lucky to have such a stalwart friend who has given you something to hang on to that you value.  
What I want to emphasize is that toxic positivity is also what many lung cancer folks use to beat themselves up (in the privacy of their own minds) if they have a recurrence of cancer after initial treatment.  That goes something like this: "Oh, I must not have had enough hope/eaten enough kale/taken enough vitamins/fill in the blank."
What I've observed is that you can have all the hope in the world and lung cancer can still recur or spread or kill you. Or, you can have no hope and live for decades. You can eat a totally vegan diet and do all the other stuff you read about and have cancer recur or spread, or you can eat sugar and processed meats and live for decades. 
Some of us find our way to hope swiftly. Others of us take a longer time to understand what hope means for us, or how different kinds of thinking can affect the quality of our days. Some folks don't relate to the discussion of hope at all, and that's OK too. 
As you say, each person's experience is so individual. I am so glad you are finding your way to equilibrium. 
Karen

Oh Tom, at the time, all I could do in the middle of the night was write… it eased the pain and numbness I felt because I still cannot believe this is happening to me. I am so glad I found this site. Good information indeed, but I what I see is hope that I might too live more than a year.  

I agree. I recently posted on Facebook about this.  I am a many year breast cancer survivor and always appreciated the support. Now I have a separate lung cancer and feel isolated. I have a lot of support from my friends and family but I agree that the lack of public support is troubling.  I know that it affects funding as well. I’ve read that one of the reasons for lack of events,etc is because there are not as many survivors to promote them. Sad 

Wow, I can hardly believe this. I find that when I tell someone I have cancer, they automatically think it's breast cancer. It's like lung cancer doesn't exist and yet it kills more people. How can that be? They have breast cancer support groups here, but nothing but a general session for all other cancers. I am finding tho that there are people out there in my situation coming out of the closet.  

No, no-- not a broke-down body. A body that has been strong enough to bear you up-- look at what you've been able to do, even as your body has been under the burden of this terrible intruder! You are strong and courageous. Terrified and shell-shocked, yes, but also strong. You can do this.
I've been writing about my own situation for more than 2 years. If it helps, take a look. 
And, be sure anything you read on the web is fro a reputable source. The Lungevity info is top-notch. It will give you lots of info that can inspire some questions. 
Writing a blog is so therapeutic. As you move through these early days, as questions arise, you will also find the forums great for addressing specific questions.  
Welcome.
Karen

A lung cancer diagnosis hits like a ton of bricks....
Stay the course.
Tom

Oh Tom, at the time, all I could do in the middle of the night was write… it eased the pain and numbness I felt because I still cannot believe this is happening to me. I am so glad I found this site. Good information indeed, but I what I see is hope that I might too live more than a year.