“You might have two-three years left…..” - said the Good News Doctor

Imagine my surprise!!??   It was sometime in late December 2012 and I was talking to the third oncologist I had sought an opinion from after being told in early November that nothing could be done for me- since I had advanced stage lung cancer and it was inoperable.

I hate to admit this (not really) but I was getting pissed!   The city I lived in had no lung cancer specialist, which was ridiculous since it is a city of more than a quarter of a million people and holds three hospitals.   So, my first stop after I had regained my senses was to hop on the computer.

One of the best sites I came across at that time was WhatsNext.com   I poured my heart out to the good people on that site and they came running with advice, support, and empathy.  

They directed me to IU Simon Cancer Care Center in Indianapolis.   It was a great thing.  The first doctor who had told me the  I had lung cancer and that he was not the “ Good News” doctor had directed me to get a B12 shot, had me get a prescription filled at the hospital for folic acid that I paid an exorbitant price for and set me up for treatment.   He spent a total of five minutes with me.  

I never heard from him again, or from anyone in that hospital, when I didn’t make my next scheduled appointment.   

This was me on Halloween Night 2012 - a little less than 2 weeks before I was diagnosed.  I thought I was out of breath and worn out because I had just run my grandsons and their friends around the neighborhoods trick or treating.  

Note:  WhatsNext.com is a community forum for those affected by cancer.  It is brought to cancer survivors and their caregivers by the American Cancer Society.  It has been a great help to me.  


Read 'Fighting Cancer: 2013" Today!