never2late Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Hello, My name is Jerry. I'm a 54 year old male cancer survivor writing this today in hopes of presenting a positive story for others in dealing with lung cancer. When I went for a routine physical in January of 2006, I had no symptoms of any kind. I asked for a chest X-ray only because I had smoked for many years (I quit in 1999). The X-ray showed a mass the size of a lemon in my left lung. I was diagnosed with COPD and Stage 1B lung cancer in February of 2006. In March I had half of my left lung removed and had 4 rounds of chemo from June - July. In addition, I developed issues with my heart that required medication to control. At the end of my chemo, I could barely walk up and down a short flight of stairs or go to the mailbax without difficulties breathing. Knowing that I needed to do something to improve my aerobic capacity, I came up with the goal to "run" a 5K race by the end of the year. I did my first race in October of 2006 (3.1 miles in 35 minutes). Another race followed in November and running became easier and more enjoyable. My breathing improved, my heart got stronger (I am no longer on any medications) and I changed my goals to include a 10K (6.2 miles) race. I never found a 10K to run in but my running improved to the point that in March of 2007 I came up with an insane goal of running in a half marathon (13.1 miles). I did a 10 mile race last month (1 hour 58 minutes)and will run in the Outer Banks half-marathon in NC this coming weekend. I also lost 45 pounds. Quite a journey from where I was a little over a year ago but one achieved through hard work, a positive outlook and support from many others. I hope this serves to give others hope and inspiration to fight this terrible thing we call lung cancer. Despite my physical improvements, there are still a lot of emotional issues that are dealt with daily. Putting them in writing helps. Thank you for letting me put these words on paper for you to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsC1210 Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Jerry Hello and welcome! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderfully inspiring story here with us. We LOVE stories like this as it give so much HOPE! I hope you will stick around and help add even more encouragement to this community Warm regards, Christine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Welcome Jerry, Glad you found us, great story and I hope you stay with us and continue to offer inspiration to many. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Hi, Jerry, welcome, and thanks for joining! You're in a perfect position to give hope and determination to many of our "newly diagnosed" new members. And doing that will help you as well! Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Hi Jerry and welcome to LCSC. I too hope you'll stay with us and offer inspiration to others. I am a 12+ year LC survivor. (see my profile below) I'm very happy to hear your doing so well. Continued good health to you for many years to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernrol Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Jerry, Welcome to the site. It sounds like you are doing the right things. Those are good times. Good luck on that half marathon. I ran one last year and I may run it again this year. My goal is just finishing. At 45 I ran the Miami marathon in 4:17, but now I am 25 years older. Somehow it makes a difference. Keep us posted. Stay positive, Ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trish2418 Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Welcome, Jerry. I look forward to more posts from you. Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolhg Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Thank you for posting. Your message is very encouraging to me. Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Thanks for giving us a little more hope! All the best to you, Wendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
never2late Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 Thank you, all, for the warm welcome. It is nice to know that there are others who understand what I am going through. I speak freely to others about lung cancer and my experiences in hopes of educating them on the disease but I don't find many survivors who can relate to what I go through. It is nice that I have now found a group who can relate! I like to run and I think about how fortunate I am to be able to do so. I am running in a half marathon this weekend and, in addition to running for myself, I will be running for all survivors who can't. Report to follow the race.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsC1210 Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Jerry Best of luck with the race this weekend. We will be waiting to hear how it goes! Will have you in my thoughts and prayers.. Christine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Welcome Jerry; I am currently trying to get rid of a cancer in my remaining lung. Once I get off the prednisone and get cancer fee, I am going to build my lung back up. You certainly give me hope. I have read that playing the harmonica is a good pulmonary therapy. I used to play it rather often some years ago. I will take it up again. I fooled arond with it a littel bit last night. don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlemike Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 welcome jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaze100 Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 Hi Jerry, Your story is very inspiring especially for those of us with heart disease. Good Luck on the run. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 Wow Jerry, thanks for sharing your story. I'm originally from NC--my family is in Wilmington and I have a niece at State. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbara5452 Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Welcome Jerry, what a story of hope. Thanks so much for sharing. Good luck with your next marathon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
never2late Posted November 13, 2007 Author Share Posted November 13, 2007 Thank you, again, for your warm welcomes and support. Ernie (ernrol) - we have both now done a half-marathon!! I'm thinking of doing another one. Let me know if you decide to do one. Susan (fillise) - tell your niece that NC State is a great college to attend. I graduated from State in 1976. Go Wolfpack!! Don (Don M) - I think playing the harmonica is a great idea! Let me know how it goes. I look forward to possibly hearing you play it one day. I did run in the OBX Half-Marathon this past weekend and had said that I would post a race report here. However, during the race it occured to me that the true report I need to write deals not with the race itself but with the journey it took to reach this goal and the reasons I did it to begin with. I don't think I fully realized what the true reasons were until I actually ran the race. Therefore, my report will have to wait until I sort it all out myself. Look for it within the next week under the MY STORY thread. By the way, I really wanted to finish this race under 2 hours and 30 minutes. My time was 2 hours, 23 minutes and 24 seconds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernrol Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 Jerry, I am planning on doing one in January. My goal is to finish standing up. Stay positive, Ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsC1210 Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 Jerry Congratulations on your accomplishment with the marathon! Looking forward to reading more about your experience. Warmly Christine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.