I Have LC, But It Doesn’t Have Me

On September 5th, I was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma. A few days later, at the hospital, they informed me that it was already at an advanced stage and inoperable.

I went home, sat on the sofa and heard on some news program that an out-of-control truck had hit a mother and daughter who were on a terrace in a city in this country. I thought that they had not been lucky enough to say goodbye, to leave things in order, to say everything that one does not say out of shame, fear of seeming like a whiner. Right away, I thought that no one had an expiration date written on their forehead; I could be one of the survivors.

Fighting Through the Pain: Strength in Small Acts

After that, I was always “hard to crack”, and I never liked “losing”… I decided to live, always smile, take an active role in this process, keep myself informed and eat healthily. The watchword was to get stronger to follow the therapeutic Lung protocol that my dear doctors had established. I realised that with a smile and a joke, everything was easier. It was hard. I had been warned that I might have to be intubated to be fed. I didn’t want my children to see their mother with a tube in her nose. So, I held on until I was desperate. Every time I returned from chemotherapy, I tried to make something: a cake, bread, anyway… I fought against that weakness that you know.

During this process, I went to bed for three days. During those three days, I hit rock bottom. I looked in the mirror and stopped seeing that bald little thing, without eyelashes or eyebrows, with a pale but upright face, always made up and with an artificially healthy look, with a sparkle in her eyes and ready to fight. I saw a rag that had once been a person.

Thank God the NSE situation turned around. I stopped vomiting, and I was myself again… Whenever I could, I walked to school to see my classmates… I needed to feel all that energy and talk about everything except about the disease. Saying “I’m here. We’re getting through this” was very important.

A New Beginning: Returning to Work and Embracing Life

In July 2013, I started working! After-effects? Yes, but I’m alive! Tumour? That’s getting quieter and quieter. Food is a weapon, and I’m in a gym! I have cancer, but it doesn’t have me. It never did, and I’m happier today! I’m not leaving anything unsaid. I have a wonderful husband, parents who held on and golden children! It’s because of them that I made it we made it. This fight wasn’t or isn’t just mine; it’s all of ours!

A Journey Through Challenges: A Personal Story of Determination and Hope

At 56 years old, I was dealing with slightly high blood sugar, a tendency towards type 2 diabetes, and being overweight at 98kg for my height of 1.72m. I also had a sedentary job at a bank, was an ex-smoker, as I stopped smoking about 10 years ago, and there’s a history of tumours in my family.

So, I decided to have a thorough check-up for the first time. I started with the usual procedures: NSE and tests for everything and anything. Apart from slightly high blood sugar and triglycerides, everything was normal. I then had a colonoscopy, which again showed nothing, but to be more certain, I had another one—a virtual colonoscopy.

The First Suspicion

During the exam, they asked if I had any problems. I said no, apart from the usual colds, some of which had not been properly cured. The truth is, I had a small discolouration at the base of my right lung, but it was barely noticeable.

Knowing this, I decided to speak to some doctors. Some didn’t think much of it, while others thought I should investigate further. I decided to dig a little deeper…

I then spoke to a pulmonologist friend, and we started doing several tests. All the results were negative, but the doctor never gave up trying to find out what was happening. The penultimate test I had at the Royal Brompton Hospital, a bronchoscopy with tissue collection, came back negative.

Everything pointed to a benign lesion measuring around 7 centimetres. Even so, I wasn’t convinced—neither was the doctor. We decided to go ahead and do the last test available… a biopsy. A short time later, the results came back: Grade IV adenocarcinoma that was encapsulated in the base of the right lung. Then, everything in my life fell apart. I felt angry, scared, and uncertain. At that moment, everything was called into question: what we believe, feel, our lives, our work. I kept asking myself what I did wrong to deserve this.

Despite everything, I faced the situation head-on. I fought, I cried, and I suffered a lot. I never hid anything from anyone; everyone around me got involved: my family, friends, and colleagues. It’s very important to share what we feel because keeping it all inside only worsens it.

Treatment Journey: Chemotherapy and Experimental Agents

That’s how it all started. Initially, they suggested surgery. However, because the lesion wasn’t very well defined, I started chemotherapy with the introduction of an experimental biological agent. The idea was better to define the lesion during the initial six cycles and see the result. It wasn’t easy—I managed it, but there were some challenges. It’s not easy, and not everyone reacts the same way.

After these cycles, the NSE tumour became more visible and shrunk slightly, which made me think surgery would follow. That wasn’t what happened…

They suggested more cycles of chemotherapy. After a frank conversation with everyone involved, I got a second opinion. I consulted several doctors, including imaging specialists. They gave me two recommendations for treatment centres:

  • The Royal Marsden in London
  • Christie Hospital in Manchester

I chose The Royal Marsden because my health insurance agreed with them, and my eldest son lives in London, which made everything easier. I made an appointment, brought all my test results, and completed the additional tests they requested. After several meetings, they concluded that everything I’d discovered before was accurate, but they believed surgery was the best course of action.

And so it was. They removed the lung. The adaptation wasn’t easy, but that’s okay—it’s part of life.

New Challenges: A Heart Attack and a New Lesion

Later, a new lesion appeared on my left Lung. As a precaution, I immediately underwent radiosurgery, and it was contained. In 2018, I had two heart attacks. They told me it was due to smoking and being overweight, but my cardiologist believed chemotherapy also played a role.

Today, I live one day at a time, dependent on oxygen.

But I’m alive.

I lead a very regular life because my oxygen saturation is low and has started to affect my brain. It’s called hypoxemia.

I’ve managed to stabilise despite some minor injuries. I’m doing well, considering the circumstances. I’ve controlled my weight and lost about 25 kilograms. My blood sugar levels and triglycerides have returned to normal.

With this testimony, I would like to urge you to be vigilant. Pay attention to your body and have Lung check-ups every year. Insist with your doctors because they often downplay test results, saying: “What you have is a cold that wasn’t cured properly… It’s not important.”

Don’t take it lightly. Be cautious—it’s very important. Always seek a second opinion.

Best wishes!