Lung Cancer Journey: From Stage 1a to 2b After Surgery

Hey Susan, I just wrote this very long post for someone else in this group and I thought it might be appropriate for you as well. 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.

Thank you for sharing this update with the community. Staging changes after surgery can feel overwhelming, and it's completely understandable to have many emotions about this news. Many others in this community have navigated similar experiences with lymph node involvement, and their insights might be valuable as you move forward. Consider discussing next steps with your care team, as they can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation.