One Year Living With Matasticised Stage 4 Lung Cancer

It is good to still be alive a year after recieving my diagnosis. Each day is a gift from God as I have not been given the date that I will Join my Holy Father in Heaven. Every day I wake up to a new day and each night I close my eyes and store the days memories in my mind for replays on request. Each day is a gift and if you feel differently then I feel really bad for you.

This year was a wonderful year spent with family and meeting goals I set for myself. We did a family vacation to Cape Cod and spent random weekends renting houses in Ct to get away and relax spending time together. It was the time we all needed together to help us work through our situation the best way possible as a family.

You see, my family and I are actually very fortunate that God extended me this time to prepare for my death vs me dieing suddenly on the 7th of October 2021. There are so many things that need to be settled when you pass and it is easier on your spouse if you can participate in the decision making process. I was able to create my Will and discuss my decisions with my family. Everyone knows what to expect and who determines the distribution of what may be left when I pass. Any questions have been answered. We had times this was awkward and emotional but we were able to work through them.

I was very fortunate to see ongoing shrinkage in the size of the mass in my lung with scans that were performed every three months. The shrinkage allows me this extra time with my family. As the cancer is metastcised, shrinkage remains my goal as a cure does not appear in my future. One of the chemos I was on I was allowed up to 4 treatments I the first year. I had 3 and rejected the 4th for all who remember I did survive a stroke and blood clot in my leg. My second chemo, Kaytruda, I have had a treatment of this chemo every 3 weeks for the past year. I am only allowed to have the one year of treatments with this chemo and then I must come off it for good. For my remaining year of treatment as it is a two year plan only, I will be off the chemo and building up my immune system with treatments every 3 weeks till November 2023. At that point treatment is done and I will then rely on my body for as long as it holds out. Treatments have been difficult at times providing many other conditions for me to face. I cannot complain as I was too close to death a year ago and have been fortunate enough to survive a full year since.

Everything changes when you have a brush with death. Material items become just that , material and time with family and friends becomes the priority where they belong. The sun shines brighter and and the sky is bluer than ever. I appreciate every day I wake up and can open the blinds to my surroundings I no longer take for granted.

I have lived life more in this past year than I have in my whole life and appreciated time as never before. I would not really stop to absorb the life that was happening in front of me in the past. Now I have learned to slow down and actually see all that is happening around me. I take the time to listen to the background sounds in life. I am amazed at what is missed when the hustle and bustle of our daily demands is allowed to run our days.

One year later my life has turned around 360. My appreciation for each day I live has grown and my love for my family and friends remains so strong. My faith and trust in God has been my strength. Without my trust in God I would not have been able to face death or my family knowing my destiny. People say “we are all going to die some time” which is true. My reality is knowing approximately when I will be dieing and preparing with my family to do so.

6 thoughts on “One Year Living With Matasticised Stage 4 Lung Cancer”

  1. I am happy that you are living life to the fullest. Good for you! I hope that your immune system kicks in and kicks the cancers butt!

  2. Lylean Orlando-Thomas

    Laurie, I’m so grateful you have been given this year. I’m keeping you in my prayers! May your immune system strengthen! Love, Lylean

  3. Lindsey Aduskevich

    What a year it’s been! I am so grateful for all the time we have spent together and for all the time we will continue to spend together. Thank you for sharing this, Mom. ❤️❤️

  4. Thinking of you all Laurie. I’ve always looked up to you as being a woman of incredible strength. Your faith in God is an inspiration to others. Praying for you all as you continue this journey.

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