Welcome to the Lung Cancer Support Community

Hey Laura, I'm stage 3b NSCLC in the right upper lobe. I've had invasion of the chest wall but, thankfully, nothing in the lymph nodes yet. I lost my wife in 2003 to the same disease. She had mets to the bone, lymph nodes and brain. She was also a non-smoker. During that process, we learned that approximately 10% of lung cancer patients are non-smokers. We were also stunned. Unfortunately, the treatments we have available today weren't around back then. I have since found a new family. We have been together for almost 20 years now. I had radiation treatments and have been on immunotherapy for a little more than a year with the expectation for two years of treatment planned. I feel extremely fortunate that I haven't required chemo yet. The side effects of immunotherapy aren't as severe as chemo. The immunotherapy makes me very fatigued and I think it also contributes to the depression. I really want to help with chores and I love doing yard work, flowers, etc but I can't do it for very long now. I'm thankful that I can do it in short times. I try to stay positive and remember how fortunate I am for my family and friends whenever I catch myself concentrating on the negativity. I wish you strength to fight like a warrior for peace in your journey. Nice chatting with you! Take good care, Garey

Garey, Im so sorry for your loss and that you now struggle with the same diagnosis as your late wife. The fatigue is very real, as is the associated frustration with physical limitations. What i want to do just isn't what I can actually do. It's very frustrating. Thanks so much for the well wishes. Take care and keep thinking positively. Laura

Welcome to this supportive community where connecting with others who understand this journey can make such a difference. It's encouraging to hear about the positive response to treatment, and this community is here for any questions about managing side effects or navigating the challenges that come with treatment. Many members find it helpful to share experiences and learn from each other's approaches to handling various aspects of their care.

Hi Laura, in July 2023, I was also diagnosed with stage four non-small cell long adenocarcinoma positive for the EGFR Exon 19 mutation. The cancerous nodule is in my left lung. At the time I had mets in my lymph nodes, spine and my right lung. My treatment started with Osimertinib, but it’s stopped working in July 2024. That’s when I started coughing up blood and the continuous coughing caused rib fractures. I started radiation and chemo that month. I have been doing chemotherapy every 3 weeks since. We started with carboplatin, Pemetrexed, and Amivantimab. After four rounds, we dropped the Carboplatin. On Tuesday, I will have my 19th round of chemo. I’m 54, living with all the side effects of the Amivantimab, and raising two little kids under four. I’m glad you’re here.