Help Me Fight Lung Cancer…one breath at a time

My New Year’s Message

The past few months have been consumed with investigating why I’m in so much pain and am having trouble breathing. A tricky biopsy (my pea sized tumor is almost hiding!) confirmed the diagnosis of Stage1A non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A PET scan last week brought great news- currently the cancer is confined to my lung, which is a huge blessing! Seeking treatment now, before it metastasizes, will give me the absolute best chance for a full recovery.

I will begin Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) in January; I’m determined-and nervous-about potential risks and side effects such as fatigue, trouble swallowing, persistent cough, skin irritation, permanent shortness of breath and a fractured rib because of the location of the tumor. I’m also mindful of holding a positive vision, despite how overwhelming this feels.

As some of you know, I have a complicated medical history. My body is pretty frail right now and my energy is scarce and sometimes fleeting, which is why focusing on healing rather than doubling down on more work to meet the financial costs associated with cancer requires a serious reset.

Practically, this means replacing the lost income I normally rely on with donor contributions in order to afford nutritional support, pain management, integrative medicine/bodywork/supplements, home health care and other out-of-pocket medical costs.

So I’m reaching out and asking for help. As hard as it is to be so public about something so private, this is one challenge that is going to require a team effort.

Thank you for helping me start 2024 with optimism and hope!

Love,

Ellen Sue/Elle