Introduction

September 25, 2008

Lori and girls, Grace, Kate, Aly and Emily

I have lung cancer. Stage IV lung cancer. I’m a survivor. This blog is about living with lung cancer– not dying from it. While in the end, I may die from it, probably will die from lung cancer; that is not what this blog is about. It’s about everything in-between. It’s about living and enjoying what life has to offer. It’s about what living with cancer does to all of us–patients, families, friends, loved ones, care takers, and cancer-fighters. It’s about real life-the happiness and the sadness; joys and trials.

I was diagnosed 7 years ago. SEVEN YEARS ago. I just celebrated my 7th year Sept 18th. My daughter Emily, called and left a message on my cell phone… “happy being alive and not dying from lung cancer day! I mean, happy still living day! or whatever, I don’t know what to call it, but I’m happy you’re still here and your my mom!!”. I saved the message, and have listened to it every day since the 18th. It will expire soon, and the joyful message will be lost.

Seven years ago, Sept 18th, 2001 I was given a horrible diagnosis of lung cancer, stage IV and along with it came the devastating prognosis of 6-8 months. Emily was only 13 then. Her younger sister, Alyson, was only 10. I clearly remember the desperate feeling I had of not having enough time with them. I wanted so badly to just be their mom. And, now, I’ve somehow been given more time with them.

Yes, it’s certainly a celebration in our house, even if we don’t have an appropriate name for it.