Sara Armstrong 0 Report post Posted January 31 Hi i was diagnosed with lung cancer Oct 6 2017. I have never smoked I am 47 years old with two teenage girls. I am wanted to connect with someone I can relate to such as a non smoker with lung cancer. I have the Alk rearrangement. Thanks ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rower Michelle 262 Report post Posted January 31 Hi Sara Greetings from a fellow ALKie. I am a 51 year old never smoker-competitive althlete. Diagnosed on 9-21-18. ALK Positive on 10-23-18. I’m on Alectinib & doing very well. Unfortunately I don’t do Facebook, however there is a vibrant ALK Community. ALKpostive.org. There are over 1400 in 40+ countries. There are some other non FB ALKs here on the forum too. Let me know how we can support you. I went into the deep end of the pool with cement shoes but I learned how to swim real fast. Its nice to meet you. This support group is an awesome lifeline! Michelle Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CIndy0121 64 Report post Posted January 31 A smoker, former smoker or never smoker can get lung cancer and those patients will all be just as helpful to you. Other ALK patients may be helpful. 2 PaulaC and LexieCat reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sara Armstrong 0 Report post Posted January 31 I am fully aware anyone can get lung csncer. Personally, I think I can relate better with non smokers. Sorry for any confusion my post might have caused. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rower Michelle 262 Report post Posted January 31 I understand what you are saying Sara. Life as a lung cancer mutant presents a different set of challenges. I’ve been with group since October & it’s great source of wisdom & support. Glad you found us. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sara Armstrong 0 Report post Posted January 31 Thanks !! Glad to be HERE Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sara Armstrong 0 Report post Posted January 31 2 hours ago, Rower Michelle said: Hi Sara Greetings from a fellow ALKie. I am a 51 year old never smoker-competitive althlete. Diagnosed on 9-21-18. ALK Positive on 10-23-18. I’m on Alectinib & doing very well. Unfortunately I don’t do Facebook, however there is a vibrant ALK Community. ALKpostive.org. There are over 1400 in 40+ countries. There are some other non FB ALKs here on the forum too. Let me know how we can support you. I went into the deep end of the pool with cement shoes but I learned how to swim real fast. Its nice to meet you. This support group is an awesome lifeline! Michelle Thanks so much for the information. I have felt so alone for a long time now. I would like to hear other stories that are similar to mine. Sound like alk.org will be a good start. I am on Alectinib also and doing well. Nice to meet you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rower Michelle 262 Report post Posted January 31 You might also want to check out the peer support request on Lungevity’s web site too. I have a peer support mentor, ALKie. She’s awesome. We meet once a week to talk about life, cancer & how to figure this journey out. I had to wait a few weeks but it was so worth it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sara Armstrong 0 Report post Posted January 31 Thanks you have been a big help!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites