Written October 5, 2003 by Matthew

[memoriesofmatt]

Originally published at Memories of Matthew. Please leave any comments there. All comments posted on LJ will be screened and cross-posted.

Aunt Lizzie has lung cancer. Grampa said the prognosis is not good. I am still in shock just as much as I was last night. Who would have thought a 38 year old could get lung cancer? She doesn’t even smoke.

Comments

[cathyam]

Hi,

I can relate to your aunt - I have oesophageal cancer which has an equally bad prognosis as your aunts cancer and am only 32. I never smoked, am not overweight, ate healthily for the most part, was not a heavy drinker, execised every day (only walking but it counts) - in the end of the day these things do happen.

I just finished very heavy chemo 4 weeks ago and am waiting for an operation to remove my oesophagus which should happen on the 9th, it has very significant risks...

I would love to get in contact with your aunt - people with really bad cancer have a different outlook. I have no doubt that your aunt will fight this cancer, I am fighting it and want to live I got married in the middle of this and am living every moment. I am actually having some of the best moments in my life going through this, you learn to appreciate things and live every second.

Best wishes,

AC

[cathyam]

Just reading your post again - aggressive chemo is good, that means that they think that she can beat this. Most people with my cancer are just given paliative care. Your aunt is young and will be better able to fight this. I do not know what chemo your aunt is getting, I know that mine was very severe but you can get through the symptoms, I did. My heart goes out totally to you and your family. My biggest regret is that I did not have children, I have been with my now husband for over 9 years but I never wanted to settle, now I face possible infertility...it may not sound like much of a consolation, but at least your aunt has children.

If I can help in any way let me know,

AC