Lung Cancer. Enough.

I’ve been a long time reader, never commenter, of your blog and just 3 months ago my husband was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer at age 36, also a non-smoker. I remembered reading some of your posts on your brother-in-law and have since re-read them all and read his article and book. Thank you so much to you and your family for sharing this experience. From the book, I am in awe of the grace with which your sister handled everything. I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old and just managing to get through each day is a feat. My heart goes out to her and your whole family.

Joanna. I just read the article and it was heart breaking. I am praying for your brother in law and your sister. Despite what his results said I hope they have many many wonderful years together.

Sending love ♡

Jill Costello and (too many) other young cancer patients inspired the following study.

I’m with the Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALCMI, voiced as “Alchemy”, partner foundation to the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (ALCF)–ALCF supports ALCMI with funding and more).

This past July ALCMI launched a one-of-a-kind clinical study called the “Genomics of Young Lung Cancer” to help us understand the causes of lung cancer in the young, and to steer patients towards individualized treatments. Patients can participate from anywhere in the world; to learn more: https://www.openmednet.org/site/alcmi-goyl.

Thank you so much for raising awareness of this devastating disease. My father passed on Thanksgiving Day 2012 at 57 after a brief but brave battle against non-smokers lung cancer. Wishing strength and health to your sister and brother in law.

Thanks for spreading awareness about lung cancer, Joanna! You shared a staggering fact about lung cancer – that it kills more people each year than breast, cervical , and ovarian combined – but did you know the INSANE other half to that statement? Lung cancer also receives the least amount of research funding compared to any one of those diseases. It’s not the science that is holding back progress on lung cancer treatments, it’s the funding. So happy to see that you’re helping to open people’s eyes. Great post. (Also, like many other readers, I’m sending positive thoughts to Paul and the rest of your family.)

I hope all goes well. Also, you are a great sister to respect her wishes. my prayers go to your family for many healthy family outtings and visits.

My heart goes out to anyone that has to face a life threatening or life changing illness/disease. As for the idea that being a smoker or non smoker is relevant, I don’t think that it matters either way. We all make choices that aren’t always the healthiest. I am not a smoker, but sometimes I splurge and treat myself to a burger and fries…I don’t think that I deserve to suffer from heart disease someday. I think we all need to realize that smoker or not…lung cancer is life changing and heartbreaking for everyone involved. I wish all the best to your brother-in-law, and to everyone near and dear to him.

This hit very close to home for me and my family right now. My father in-law was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer this Fall and was given a 6 month to 1 year timeline. He’s recently been switched to a 3rd line of medication because the first two rounds of chemo didn’t work. Within the past week they have found tumors on his spinal column and have started daily radiation treatment. The kicker in all of this? My husband and I are expecting our first child this December (their family’s first grandchild, too). It’s been such a bittersweet time. He has openly said that this baby has been the biggest motivating factor for him to get up and out of bed every day. As much pressure as that puts on me, I feel so incredibly blessed that I’m able to provide him some hope and something to look forward to.
As for right now the doctors “think” he will make it to meeting his first grandchild. I hope they are right and pray every day for anyone who may be going through a similar experience.
Sending prayers and positive thoughts to your sister and her husband.

Wow – even having lost a grandparent to lung cancer, I wasn’t aware of most of the facts you shared. You’ve educated at least one person with this post, and I will share this with others :)
Love and courage to your family Xx

I always wondered about your BIL I’m hopeful that he and your sister are doing as well as it can possibly be. I lost my mother to pancreatic cancer in 2004. We were told a week before. Thanks for sharing with all of us once again. xx

I have followed your blog for a long time but have never left a comment. My good friend Jill Costello died of lung cancer when we were 22, just 4 years ago. During her battle with lung cancer she became involved with ALCF, and now I’m party of the advisory board to the foundation called Jill’s Legacy. Thank you so much for sharing! We are on a mission to beat lung cancer BIG TIME and it’s great to have you as one in our army. Love the work you do, Joanna!

My mother recently died due to lung cancer. She was a smoker. Perhaps her cancer could have been prevented, perhaps not. No one “deserves” cancer! I think making the distinction between smokers and non-smokers with lung cancer only hurts the cause. My heart goes out to your family. We must always keep hope alive!

Cancer is the worst. I heard the news yesterday that my favorite teacher from high school passed away from brain cancer yesterday morning. He was an amazing person who left an impression on everyone he met. He actually wrote a book about trying to make a difference in his students lives called The Priority List, and long story short, it’s now being made into a movie with Steve Carrell playing my teacher. The whole thing is incredibly surreal, and ultimately, just heartbreaking. Here’s a little write up on him. http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2014/11/david_menasche_local_author_and_teacher_with_brain_cancer_dies.php

Anyway, thanks for the info on this campaign. I’ll definitely be supporting it. All forms of cancer are terrible. I hope your brother in law stays strong and keeps on fighting!

Thanks, Jo. I’m sending lots of positive vibes toward you and your family. My grandfather died from lung cancer, and my father is a big smoker (and smoked inside our house while I was growing up…), so this is a topic that hits close to home.

For me, this is also a timely post. I just found out yesterday that I have skin cancer (I’m only 32! and it still feels so weird to say that). Fortunately, it should be easy to remove, and it’s a type that doesn’t spread to other body types. That said, it’s still a scary word.

Hugs and love to everyone out there who has been touched by terrible disease.

I’ve been thinking about him! My good friend is a fundraiser for the American Lung Association and she has shared with me the same information that you just did. She get’s rather frustrated the lung cancer lacks the funding despite it’s huge impact. You should start a walk team for the closest walk near you!

I have been thinking about your brother-in-law quite a bit lately. I hope he is doing well and that he and Lucy are finding strength, support and lots of love during his brave fight with cancer.
Thank you for these links to educate ourselves on lung cancer. Many prayers, thoughts and love to Lucy and Paul.
xoxo

Hugs for your family! I lost my grandfather to lung cancer. He was a pastor, never smoke or drank. We strongly suspect his cancer was due to radon because his office was in the basement. Radon is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer. It’s easy to have your house checked and fixing the problem is relatively inexpensive. Here’s more info: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/radon

Thank you for sharing this. My mother also has lung cancer, and the stigma associated with it really does irk me. She has the same oncologist as your brother in-law (unless he has changed), and she is awesome. My mom was diagnosed in 2009 and has just reached 5 years, though is now very sick, but I know she would have been gone a long time ago were it not for Dr. Wakelee & her team :)

Love to you and your sister, brother in law, and all of those who you touch every day Joanna. Thank you for sharing this. You always do so in such a tactful, gracious way.

I’ve lost several of my friends in their early 50’s to many cancers including lung cancer where my friend was not a smoker. Thank you for bringing awareness to this dreadful disease. Sending love and prayers to your family. xxoo

Sad. smoker or not. I hope that some wonderful new developments and treatments come soon.
Dr Paul’s article was wonderful.

Thank you for sharing this on your blog. My father was diagnosed in 2009 with lung cancer and he was a non smoker too. He passed away 2 months ago. I’m heart broken. He had 5 good years thanks to treatment at MD Anderson in Houston. I had no idea that lung cancer was the number one cancer killer nor that it was so underfunded. I’m so glad that we are bringing more awareness to this dreadful killer. My dad was only 61. I’ll be keeping Paul in my thoughts for strength.

As someone who has seen many family members and friends battle cancer, Paul’s article (and your post) left an indelible impression on me. Sending love and strength to your family.

I have two cousins fighting lung cancer. One smoked all of her adult life, the other never did. I pray for them both and grieve the suffering they both endure. May we never be so self-righteous that we fail to weep with those who weep and comfort those that need comfort.

I love this. I lost my mom to lung cancer just before her 45th birthday. She was a never-smoker. When people would ask what kind of cancer she had I would always feel a need to quickly clarify: “she has never smoked!!” It angered me that someone so healthy would end up with a terminal disease…she didn’t ‘deserve’ it.

After her death, I went to nursing school and ended up working in oncology as a chemotherapy infusion nurse. I realized that no one ‘deserves’ cancer, not the young, the old, those who are healthy as can be, or those who have weaknesses like smoking.

I appreciate seeing awareness and fundraising for all types of cancer. Thinking of your sister and her husband!

Oh, Joanna! Thank you SO much for sharing this with us. I actually have been wondering quite a lot how Lucy and Paul (I feel like I know them, from following your blog all the way back since 2007! :o) have been lately but of course, asking felt like I’d be infringing on your family’s privacy… Your posting really made my day (as usual)! Thank you and all the best to Lucy and Paul!

Thank you so much for a little “update” sliver. Lots of love to you and yours.

Hi! I’m just 31 and lost my father this March due to lung cancer. He was diagnosed when it was in stage 4, so nothing could be done. For a while he was super good with quimio but in January he started going down so fast I didn’t see it coming. I live in Boston but I’m from Spain and was just able to see him 2 days before he died, and it broke my heart.
As I write this I’m crying, but I cannot help it. :(

Think about your brother-in-law and your family often. Paul’s column left a lasting impression on me and so many others as made clear in the interview. Thank you for sharing this critical information about the disease, as well as an opportunity to donate. I’ll continue to hold good thoughts for your family.

A few years ago, there were lung cancer advocate ads all over the DC metro. They emphasized that ALL people can be susceptible to lung cancer, not just smokers. I thought it was a really effective and well-done campaign that really opened my eyes for the first time to this issue. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you so much for sharing, Joanna! What a wonderful, worthy campaign. Sending lots of love and strength to your family! xo

Prayers are going out to your sister and her hubby! We lost my father in law last year due to stomach cancer.