And counting. I’ve been so busy LIVING that I have neglected to note that we just zipped on past the eleven year anniversary of my diagnosis with lung cancer. That’s right–ELEVEN BEAUTIFUL AND BREATHTAKING YEARS that I didn’t think I was going to have.
Ever mindful of what a miracle waking up is, I continue to marvel at the fact that I AM ALIVE. Today, this day–and maybe tomorrow too. And you know what? It never gets old. The good, the bad and the ugly alike–it is a privilege to be here and something I shall never take for granted (and if you are reading this, neither should you).
Several days into year twelve (!), I vow to honor the memory of those who had to leave this party far too soon. Your departures hurt and anger–but death cannot tear apart the connections we made in life.
My personal goal going forward? To shift my focus from surviving to thriving. If you run the numbers, I’ve now known I had lung cancer for almost 1/5 of my lifetime–much of that lived on hold.
No longer. It’s full throttle from here on out as I plan to see and experience all that I can possibly cram into this life I call mine. To adventure!
life and breath: outliving lung cancer 
As always you are an inspiration.
Marguerite
Thank you Marguerite. Could not have done it without you—one of my guardian angels.
xo Linnea
Amen to that!! I just past 6 years can totally relate on all levels! Ive also been reading you blog since diagnosis and you keep me going Linnea! Thank you for sharing always your a blessing to many!
Thank you Chrissy and congrats on the big six!
xo Linnea
Congratulations – Love it – Good inspriration
Hope I get that far – Surviving ->Living -> Thriving
Thriving is a good place
xx
tom
Tom, all those ing words are good ones.
xx Linnea
On to year XII! You go girl! May you have blue skies and a strong tailwind!
Peace, Love, Joy & Happiness
Thank you Elizabeth–I will ride that wind 🙂
xo Linnea
I am 2 years thank you for your update it gives me hope.keep fighting.
Alison, it is one day, one month and one year at a time. Keep the hope.
xo Linnea
To adventure! To you, Linnea! You inspire us all. Much love and health to you.
Thank you. And know how much it means to me that you continue to read and comment. It turns my story from a monologue to a conversation and that is so much more meaningful.
xo Linnea
As I enter my 9th year of Stage IV lung cancer survival, with unknown treatments coming up, you are my inspiration as you have been living in the unknown quite well. You give me hope that I have many more years of quality living. Thank you for sharing your journey so intimately. I look forward to getting together in May.
Laurie
Laurie, eight down and counting! I look forward to meeting up again and comparing notes. What a strange trip it has been—taking us places we never could have imagined.
xo Linnea
A VERY good message & so inspiring! Cancer has taught me to celebrate every day. Thank you for sharing your journey. Faith, hope, courage, strength & love= Linnea.
Katie, you made me cry. Thank you and much love to you.
xo Linnea
Congrats to you – my role model and inspiration even though we have never met. I am at five and one – half years now and still learning to “thrive”. It seems I am still living my life in three month increments.
Geaux (Cajun for go) girl-wish you could mail me some of your zest 😀😀
Mary, I love the Geaux girl. Congratulations on five and 1/2 and know that it takes time. Three months was as far as I could see out for a long, long time. The farther I go, the more confident I become in tomorrow (as odd as that may seem). Perhaps it is my contentment with today.
xo Linnea
I feel exactly the same…starting my 11th year and am so thankful. I am amazed daily of this beautiful fulfilling life I have been given and continue to be grateful each and every day. Congratulations to you, my friend, and here’s to many more.
Roni, I noticed that my last three posts all used the word beautiful in the title but I think that is reflective of my overriding viewpoint. It is indeed a beautiful world and we are so very fortunate to enjoy each new day.
xo LInnea
Congratulations to you – bigtime! I didn’t realize your dx was 2 years before mine!
Thank you Dave, and congrats on your keeping on keeping on as well!
xo Linnea
And11 is your big number! Here’s to a magical, thriving and blooming year XII !!!
Thanks Chica!
xo Linnea
I just hit 1 year in March! We are all rebels! Haha
Yes to one and counting Dave! Rebel on!
Linnea
Linnea dear I just stumbled on this sight because I was researching Carbo and Alimta treatment. I am coming up on 2 years and on Tarceva. Didn’t do the chemo treatment at first. Now doc wants me to do C&A every three weeks for the rest of my life. I am having a very hard time deciding what to do. Are you still on chemo? Would you go through it again if you had the choice?
Katie
Katie, the short answer is yes. I will march through hell if there’s something good on the other side. In my own case, chemotherapy has never been effective, so in hindsight, perhaps it wasn’t worth it. However, I would definitely do it again if I thought there would be some benefit. I hope that helps. And keep in mind that buying time is the important thing. There may be no options other than chemo now (although what about Keytruda?–I think that’s what the second gen EGRF+ inhibitor is called), but there may be something new tomorrow.
Best,
Linnea
Linnaean I just wondered why Lorlatinib seems to be moving through the trial stage very slowly, we have been hearing about it for ages but it seems still to be in small/early stage trial e.g. By comparison with ceritinib/alectinib now licensed thanks Alma from the UK
Alma, I can’t really answer that. It is frustrating that access to drugs–both those that are in trial and those already approved–is not equal. In this age of social media the disparity quickly becomes obvious. I would suggest that you inquire with both your oncologist and possibly even the sponsor of the trial (Pfizer).
Linnea
Mmm thanks Linnea just really curious, don’t think my onc will know, don’t think it’s in P trial even in Europe at mo, seems slower to me than the other alk drugs to progress, not currently an issue for me as I am doing ok on 300 mg of ceritinib – low dose cos I got pericarditis on 600 mg , 3.5 plus years post diagnosis now, had crizotinib for 2 .5 years, here’s hoping …hope your neuro doc is helpful to you .Alma
Pingback: Alk mutations | life and breath: outliving lung cancer – Demo