I went to see a doctor after noticing chest pain.

After my diagnosis, I felt both angry and fearful. I felt helpless, nervous and worried, while still numb, resentful and withdrawn sometimes.

I cut down my drinking from 3 drinks a week to none and ate healthier most days.

Initially, I was offered lobectomy, chemo and radiotherapy by my doctors. However, genetic testing revealed my diagnosis was ALK+, so I’ve started on targeted therapy instead. I felt less angry and discouraged after the change, but felt a bit more scared. For now, I’m still receiving treatment.

In terms of side effects, the ones that affected me the most were: fatigue, vomiting and peripheral neuropathy. I got by with eating better and medication.

I tried my best to commit to eating healthier every day. I found myself spending more time with my children, although intimacy with my partner fell.

I hope to spend more time with my son in the next few years, and survive cancer. My biggest dream is to see my son graduate high school and college. It motivated me to do as much as I can during treatment.

It’s the fear of leaving my son behind, he’s only 13 and I want to spend more time with him. What kept me going was talking to doctors and therapists, and spending as much time with my son as I can.

Sad, mostly. I’m feeling empty, grievened and powerless.

To others, I would say: “Life is cruel but love the ones you got.”