We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars. --- Oscar Wilde

About Me
This is a website created by a young lung adenocarcinoma patient, documenting the journey from someone who spent their days immersed in work and neglected their physical well-being. The progression unfolds as they transitioned from a lack of understanding about self-care to engaging in research on diet, exercise, and treatment. Ultimately, the narrative leads to the pursuit of spiritual growth.
Everything Started from a Cough

In February 2023, I began to frequently feel phlegm that I couldn’t cough out. Despite trying over-the-counter medicine from the pharmacy with no improvement, I followed a friend’s suggestion to see an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist. The doctor used a stethoscope to carefully listen to the front and back of my chest and assured me there was no issue. After three days of medication without improvement, a colleague recommended traditional Chinese medicine for recovery, emphasizing that cough improvement takes time. Despite visiting several traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, the cough persisted.

It was only when a doctor sensed complications that I urgently went to a large hospital’s respiratory department for a chest X-ray. The preliminary diagnosis from the respiratory specialist was pneumonia. Even after a month of antibiotic treatment, the pneumonia symptoms persisted. The doctor urgently advised hospitalization, where they performed a lung biopsy and tested lung effusion. The results revealed cancer cells in both the lung biopsy and effusion, leading to a direct diagnosis of stage IV lung adenocarcinoma.

At that time, with limited knowledge about cancer, I naively asked the doctor how many stages cancer has, only to realize that I had accelerated into the advanced stage. Subsequent MRI and full-body bone scans confirmed metastases to my brain and bones. In an instant, my life entered another realm…

The Past Me
About ten years ago, I began experiencing intervertebral disc issues. My body often suffered from lower back pain and stiffness, but I paid little attention. Being inactive, the only exercise I engaged in was walking during work. My dietary habits were even worse. Due to a predisposition to obesity, I intentionally ate sparingly, consuming minimal vegetables, meat, and protein. I favored foods like noodles and bread. The final straw that broke the camel's back was my sleep. In the years leading up to the onset of my condition, I faced a low point in life, resulting in autonomic nervous system imbalance and severe insomnia. My body lost its regulatory mechanisms. Nationally, statistics once indicated that individuals under 44 constituted only 10% of cancer cases. I happened to be part of that 10%.
Hospital Treatment
On May 4, 2023, I confirmed being diagnosed with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma. Initially, the hospital conducted a biopsy, but during the outpatient consultation, the doctor informed me that they couldn't detect any genetic mutations. I was then informed that I could opt for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) at my own expense to explore other possible mutations. After transferring to another hospital, the new doctor initiated my chemotherapy with [Alimta + Carboplatin]. However, after just one session, the doctor informed me that the pharmaceutical company Dongshenghua had detected a ROS1 gene mutation. Consequently, the treatment plan shifted to the targeted drug Entrectinib, with a daily dosage of three capsules. Additionally, I chose to self-fund the administration of Avastin, receiving it once a month. There were no further sessions of chemotherapy or immunotherapy. After becoming resistant to Entrectinib, I returned to chemotherapy several times, and then began trying another targeted therapy drug, Rozlytrek.
Diet and Exercise: A Major Transformation
Since being diagnosed with cancer, my awareness of my body has undergone a complete 180-degree turn. I've started prioritizing my health above all else, making adjustments to my diet and exercise routine. I've been gathering various health information from the Internet and books, avoiding blindly following trends, and have begun researching healthy foods to cook for myself. Additionally, I've engaged in various exercises beneficial to my lungs. I understand that simply undergoing passive medical treatment, even if successful, without adjusting my body's constitution, may lead to a recurrence in the future. Therefore, I believe that only by taking care of the fundamentals of my body can I truly stay cancer-free for life.
A New Circle of Friends
During my initial hospitalization and examinations, I encountered new friends who introduced me to the first Line group for cancer warriors, consisting of around 100 members. In the early stages of my cancer journey, a heart filled with "ignorance, fear, and resentment" consumed me. Fortunately, the group leader of the Line community accompanied me, advising me to slow down and seek guidance from fellow patients with similar conditions to dispel the ignorance-induced fear. Later, I also joined a Facebook community called lung longevity. The Facebook lung longevity community stands out for its comprehensive knowledge, and many of my questions can be answered through searching.
Elevating Spirituality
Towards the end of the year 2023, serendipity led me to explore Buddhism. I began reciting Buddhist scriptures, and in the process of reading, my mind gradually slowed down. I started feeling the compassionate vows of the Bodhisattva and planted seeds of goodness and a spirit of helping others in my heart. Besides listening to explanations of Buddhist scriptures online, I also sequentially read books like "Illustrated Heart Sutra" and "Illustrated Diamond Sutra," hoping to seek more spiritual enlightenment and elevation. For me, the uncertainties of health, the fluctuations of emotions, and the heavy economic pressures are all arenas for spiritual practice. With a heart full of repentance and gratitude, I accept everything in life with equanimity, appreciating all the beauty within it.
Compassionate Care
After my first round of chemotherapy, my immune system dramatically weakened, leading to my first encounter with Covid. Without understanding why, I suddenly developed phlegm and unexplained wheezing. Quickly rushing to the hospital, the outpatient physician, noticing my alarming condition, urgently transferred me to the emergency intensive care unit. Upon examination, they discovered a slight pneumothorax caused by the previous day's lung fluid extraction, coupled with a confirmed infection of the novel coronavirus. Through their attentive care, I swiftly recovered from the illness and was discharged. The efficiency of the medical team and their unwavering dedication to each patient filled my heart with deep gratitude and warmth.

Pay It Forward

On the journey of fighting cancer, I look forward to your support, helping me with my ongoing treatment. This enables me to continue sharing more information to assist others, spreading love. ♥️
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