Realizing the Risk

[tessaarg]

Today we found out that my Mother has lung cancer. We're not sure yet how far it is, but the shadow on her chest xray that first caused alarm is the size of a fist. 

She's smoked almost her entire life. 

I never even considered lung cancer. It's probably normal conceit to believe yourself out of reach of cancer, but now I'm scared. I've had 3 people within the last 5 years in my family (just on my Mother's side) die of lung cancer. All died within 3 months of being diagnosed. I don't know how it wasn't a wake up call until now. 

[lucky5]

have a nice night k!

[hwc]

Awww. I'm sorry tessarg. I lost my father this past year, six weeks after he was diagnosed with liver cancer. The only advice I have is that my father told me it drove him crazy when people kept asking how he was doing and all that. He just wanted to live the rest of his life (whether it was six weeks or six months or six years) as normally as possible.

It's wasn't a wake up call for you just like it wasn't a wake up call for any of us. That's all part of the trap of nicotine addiction. We will do anything to keep getting our precious drug, even ignoring the obvious damage we are doing to our health.

[ohiosheltielady]

I am so sorry to hear this.  Try not to compare your mother's diagnosis with anyone else, and remember we are all individuals with unique systems, personalities, body chemistries, etc.  Everyone is different and just because one person had one kind of an experience doesn't mean the next person will follow those footsteps.  Try to remind in the moment if possible, I know it has to be very hard to do that, and will take some practice.  Just learning this news has to be shocking.  My heart goes out to you and your mother. 

[edith2]

Excellent post.  Thank you for sharing.  I'm sorry to hear about your mother.

[onelasttime]

I am very sorry I lost my mother to lung cancer. She had small cell she was a life long smoker also. It didn't make me quit either. I have i believe finaly beat the addiction  at lest I am believing that. My thoughts and prayer are with you plese if you need a friend please feel free. It is a very difficult time to get through the illness of cancer in a loved one.I will make you a friend good luck and I will put you your mother and family in my prayers.

[lucky5]

WERE ARE YOU?