Hi, I’m Timothy from the USA, I’m a father of 3. I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer less than a year ago.
I found out about the cancer after noticing I had chest pain and coughing up blood. After first hearing the news, I still went for a second more experienced opinion, especially as my first doctor didn’t give me sufficient information.
When I first heard the news, I felt frightened, helpless and worried. It made me feel infuriated, resentful and numb. I also felt withdrawn.
After the news, I made changes to my lifestyle. I smoked less and cut down from six drinks a week to two, and started eating healthier most days.
I chose to do a lobectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy, after doing my own research and listening to my doctor’s recommendations. I felt anxious and scared, and a little bit angry and discouraged at that point. Still, I had to change treatment plans as the initial plan wasn’t working effectively. After adjusting them, I felt a bit less angry, scared and anxious. Beyond all that, I also added on to my treatment with nutritional supplements.
Financially, I faced some difficulty as my insurance doesn't cover immunotherapy. I might change insurance plans.
In terms of side effects, the ones that affected me the most were: fatigue, nausea, vomiting and peripheral neuropathy. I manage them by eating better, relying on prescribed medication, and doing self-medication when needed.
After starting treatment, I tried to make adjustments to my lifestyle permanent, including:
- Eating healthier most days
- Cutting down on smoking
- Exercising more
- Drinking less
Before I knew I had cancer
- Spent time with my children 3 times a week
- Was intimate with my partner 1 time a month
- Went on 0 family trips a year
After knowing I had cancer
- Spent time with my children 6 times a week
- Was intimate with my partner 0 times a month
- Went on 1 family trip a year
I plan to go on a short trip to see family in Missouri, but other than that, I have no plans for myself. My biggest dream is for my Vietnamese restaurant to be more successful, it motivated me to come back to work soon. With my loved ones, it’s to spend time with my kids and wife.
It’s the fear of side effects from treatment and fear of death. I’m worried about leaving my family behind, and if my children want to take over the restaurant. To deal with it, I try to talk to my wife and children, and go to temple and pray.
I feel the same as before, a mix of anger and fear.
To others, I would say: “It can be stressful and painful, but be patient. Spend more time with family if you can.”
This patient's story is published and shared with their full consent. Any personal data that can be used to identify the patient has been omitted.
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