Six years this week, y’all. It was on April 5th, 2005, that a chest CT scan hinted that my unresolved pneumonia might in fact be a neoplasm. I didn’t actually know what a neoplasm was, and I certainly didn’t think there was even a remote possibility that as a nonsmoker I was a candidate for lung cancer.
Several days later a needle biopsy provided confirmation and I heard the unthinkable words “you have cancer”.
The rest is not quite history.
As someone who has never been NED (No Evidence of Disease), I would once again like to propose another acronym: NDY, or Not Dead Yet. There is, in my opinion, far too much emphasis placed on cure, life after cancer, and being a survivor. Many of us will never be able to speak of our cancer in the past tense, as we are instead been there, doing that.
Just as cancer has invaded our bloodstream, it is also integrated into our daily lives. We are living with cancer.
Another way of looking at it: every day we do something death defying simply by surviving.
Six surprising, at times difficult, but absolutely wondrous years. And counting.
life and breath: outliving lung cancer 
Beautifully stated!
Susan
Thank you Susan!
Linnea
Congratulations on your sixth anniversary. I am so happy for you. Continue the good fight and continue to celebrate life.
Lots of hugs,
Me
Sally, the good fight is all I know at this point 🙂 Oh yeah, and how to celebrate!
Linnea
Linnea- I wish the best of the best, creme de la creme, Windsor watercolour tubes, and Sennelier soft pastels. And champagne. Keeping kicking cancer keister.
Joan Z
Joan, best of the best would certainly include some quality art supplies. And champagne. Cheers!
Linnea
NDY indeed.
Thanks for the reminder and many more anniversaries to you.
Stephanie, indeed. And you as well.
Linnea
Dear Linnea,
Heartfelt wishes for your continuing NDY. Thank you for all your wonerful thoughts, pictures and insights. I so look forward to reading your encouraging words.
See you on Blueberry Hill toward the end of May.
Kathleen
Kathleen, hey, you picked the right winter to miss. It’s been unbelievable. I’ve talked to my parents and know you’re already in bloom out west. See you soon.
Linnea
And we’re all blessed to have you! Here’s hoping for 90 more…ya know, give or take 🙂
Blessings to you, dear Linnea!
Tracy, 90 may be a bit excessive, but why not shoot for the moon.
Linnea
Dear Linnea…………..I am so please to have found you! I misplaced your email address when you moved from #3 JNR. I had purchased a new computer and the transfer was a loss. I think of you so often and I am positively thrilled to learn about your journey and your success. I have no doubt that your zest for life is in a large measure responsible. A friend suggested I google you and there you were. You look beautiful as always and your story is a one of positive encouragement against any obsticle. Give my love to your family and consider yourself Hugged! My very best, Jane
Jane, you did your homework. Must have been your realtor’s radar, as we are just getting ready to move again (kidding!) Good to hear from you; we really miss our friends in Ipswich. Hugs back,
Linnea
You go gir – I have one for you KCA – Kicking Cancers ASS!
Amy, you go gir? I thought you wanted us to stay 🙂 KCA is good…I’ll give it a go.
Linnea
Congratulations, Linnea! Keep on going! I have a feeling that cancer will soon be regarded as chronic illness that just needs to be managed.
Yuki, it would certainly seem to be moving in that direction. And we are part of that trend, no? Hope you are doing well.
Love, Linnea
Certainly NYD! Great slogan!
Up to 7!
Caroline, 7 and counting–both of us!
Linnea
Linnea, you continue to amaze me. Happy, happy, happy 6th anniversary to you!! Thanks for being out there, another light in a sometimes long night. I’ll be keeping an eye on your updates on the mutation issue. I’m considering an HSP-90 trial soon (at City of Hope) too, as acquired resistance to erlotinib is setting in. Mutations be damned!
Best wishes for another fabulous year. Praying to the research gods for divine intervention and breakthrough!
Jazz
Jazz, thanks so much. Let me know how that HSP-90 inhibitor goes (I’ll be thinking of you). May innovation stay one step ahead of our cancer.
Linnea
Linnea,
You are so FOL, Full of Life. Keep on fighting and writing!
Paula
Yay! What great news! Wishing you many more delightful springs.
Ellen
Had to come back to this post and ask if you have heard the song “Not Dead Yet” from Spam-a-lot, the Musical? One of my friends sang a bit of it to us today – and showed off her button. Here’s a link:
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