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Stage IV lung cancer from symptoms to diagnosis | Jaymie shares the beginning of her cancer story.

Chronic Love・18 minutes read

Robin, a psychologist, details her battle with breast cancer and chronic illness, from initial symptoms to diagnosis and treatment with pills for ALK-positive lung cancer. Despite the severity of her condition, Robin maintains a sense of optimism and gratitude throughout her journey.

Insights

  • Robin's delayed diagnosis of ALK-positive lung cancer highlights the importance of proactive healthcare and advocating for oneself when symptoms persist, even when initial tests are inconclusive.
  • The individual's positive outlook and ability to maintain a sense of normalcy despite a stage IV cancer diagnosis underscores the resilience and gratitude that can emerge in the face of adversity, showcasing the power of mindset in navigating challenging circumstances.

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Recent questions

  • What health challenges did Robin face?

    Cancer and chronic illness

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Summary

00:00

Robin's Journey: Battling Cancer with Optimism

  • Robin, a psychologist in New York City, shares her journey with breast cancer and chronic illness.
  • She developed a wheeze in April 2018, initially only at night, which later became more frequent.
  • Robin attributed the symptoms to allergies or bronchitis, leading to a doctor visit and an inconclusive breath test.
  • Despite using an inhaler for two weeks, her symptoms persisted, prompting a cough suppressant prescription.
  • Feeling unsupported by her doctor, Robin continued her daily life, including high-intensity kickboxing workouts.
  • A turning point occurred when she struggled to run on a treadmill, realizing something was seriously wrong.
  • After a delayed appointment, a chest X-ray revealed fluid covering her left lung, requiring immediate hospitalization.
  • Two and a half liters of fluid were drained from her chest, with a subsequent test revealing malignancy, indicating cancer.
  • Robin underwent a lung biopsy, discovering she had ALK-positive lung cancer, leading to treatment with pills.
  • Despite the shocking diagnosis, Robin left the doctor's office with a sense of optimism, unaware of the severity of her condition.

11:11

"Stage IV Cancer Diagnosis: Managing ALK Mutation"

  • The individual experienced shortness of breath, leading them to seek medical help between Christmas and New Year's.
  • They discovered they had stage IV cancer from their pulmonologist, who mentioned it casually during the appointment.
  • The individual has ALK-positive mutation lung cancer, managed with eight pills daily, which has reduced tumors except for the main one on their left lung.
  • Monitoring for medication effectiveness involves scans and watching for symptoms like fluid in the lungs or back pain.
  • Despite the diagnosis, the individual feels normal and sometimes forgets they have cancer, expressing gratitude for their journey and the ability to forget their condition at times.
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