The tests began. There were CT scans, PET scans, bronchoscope, biopsy and more x-rays. I still remember the day I called home to tell my sister; my sickness now became theirs. I could not get through this alone and the support was unlimited.
On November 12, 2008 I woke up from my second worst nightmare. I'd had a lobectomy. The lower lobe of my left lung had been removed along with the tumor. The tumor that was 3 cm in September had grown to 4 cm by November. Tubes were everywhere. There were oxygen tubes to breathe with, tubes in my lungs to help them drain, a catheter, an IV, and a morphine epidural implant for pain control. It took 44 staples to close my wound.
Those days in the hospital are blurred because I had pain issues and needed lots of medication which was causing a reaction. The medication was stopping my body from digesting food and I couldn't eat for 10 days. I turned into a skeleton, my once-fit body was atrophying; I was losing muscle and every movement was an effort. After this type of surgery, patients are encouraged to not lie in bed but take as many walks as possible in order to help the lungs drain properly. I was finding this difficult and extremely painful. I can't imagine going through this major operation not being in reasonably good shape and still smoking. In my ward at the hospital there were people going into this operation who were still smoking. Age, profession and social status mean nothing to this disease. Three quarters of lung cancer deaths occur in people over 65...and here I was, only 49, fit, and, according to me, invincible.
I am, and have always been, an active individual. Over the years I had worked through most of my bad habits and today make my living helping others find optimum health and wellness. I thought my healthy lifestyle would always protect me from any serious illness caused by past evils. I was very wrong.
The statistics on lung cancer are depressing, especially for women. There is an increasing incidence of lung cancer of all stages, even among nonsmokers. I seem to be one of many facing today's cancer epidemic. The latest around-the-world statistics on cancer show that there is one new case every three seconds and one new death every five seconds. Cancer is responsible for the deaths of thousands of people every year, regardless of the progress in surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
The struggle with any harmful addiction is too large a topic for me to attempt. Let my experience be your incentive to quit. This disease is nasty. It puts your life on hold, it strips the joy from your very soul, and it affects everyone who loves you. While you are standing in the freezing cold, or sitting alone in a cold garage having a cigarette and the party is going on inside, remind yourself how silly this all is and that you should quit -- now! Taking preventative measures will stimulate the immune system to its fullest potential which will ward off disease, or, since this disease is indiscriminate, will give you a better fighting chance. Cancer can be thought of as a "tap on the shoulder" by God (or the universe) saying, "the path you are on has become dangerous, consider taking another."
Only three months after my surgery I am back in control. This morning I did a 30-minute workout, heart rate working at 80 percent, and my lungs were just fine. It felt so nice to breathe without pain. I once again practice what I preach and actively seek mental and emotional well being. I am always amazed at how quickly our bodies respond to the right conditioning. This sickness had unknowingly stripped me of joy for many years and once again I am now finding my bliss. I am grateful for another chance and I am indebted to all those people who helped me.
~Dee
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States today, with more people dying from it than of colon, breast and prostate cancers combined. However, it is also the most preventable form of cancer, with upwards of 90% of lung cancer cases being attributable to cigarette smoking. As hard as it is to read accounts like Dee's, for the person who is trying to quit smoking, the dose of reality a real-life story like this provides is a cessation tool like no other.
If you've never smoked, don't start.
If you do smoke, quit now.
