A few weeks ago, you may remember I was in Beijing and then Thailand. In Beijing, I really struggled with the dust, and was coughing and felt like I had an allergy/ hayfever. It settled down when I went to Thailand, but I was still having coughing fits several times a day, and also waking up coughing at nighttime. So, when I got back home, I went to the Dr to get it checked out. After a chest xray, CT scan and biopsy, we discovered I have lung cancer. I'm 42 (and 11/12th!), and I've never smoked a cigarette in my life!! (not even a puff!!)
The cancer is in both lungs, lymph nodes and is a particular aggressive cancer, which spreads quickly, but usually responds to chemo well. The average age of onset is 71 years old, and less than 3% of cases are seen in people under 45 yrs. The particular type of cancer I have (small cell lung cancer) is almost never seen in a non-smoker, unless they are a passive smoker (which I'm not), or have a family history of cancer (which I don't)................ so I've come to the conclusion that I'm just special!!
I found out the biopsy results just over a week ago, and had my first bout of chemotherapy today. I'm feeling quite positive and determined to do all I can to fight this thing.... I'm going to kick butt! But it is quite a shock, and a chance to re-evaluate life, the universe and everything! The good thing about it is I can see the strength of friendships I have all around the world.... I have an army of people supporting me and cheering me on.
One of the things I've been thinking about is how the personality traits that get me into trouble in day to day life - determination, strong will, stubborness, pragmatism - are all perfectly combined to get me through a situation like this.
Its going to be an interesting journey ahead in the next few months. Its likely to delay my investing journey for a while. But that's life, and my main "job" in the next few months is to beat this thing.
Its certainly a curve ball in my nice safe little existence, and it will make a good story once we are through it all!
cheers
Pen
The cancer is in both lungs, lymph nodes and is a particular aggressive cancer, which spreads quickly, but usually responds to chemo well. The average age of onset is 71 years old, and less than 3% of cases are seen in people under 45 yrs. The particular type of cancer I have (small cell lung cancer) is almost never seen in a non-smoker, unless they are a passive smoker (which I'm not), or have a family history of cancer (which I don't)................ so I've come to the conclusion that I'm just special!!
I found out the biopsy results just over a week ago, and had my first bout of chemotherapy today. I'm feeling quite positive and determined to do all I can to fight this thing.... I'm going to kick butt! But it is quite a shock, and a chance to re-evaluate life, the universe and everything! The good thing about it is I can see the strength of friendships I have all around the world.... I have an army of people supporting me and cheering me on.
One of the things I've been thinking about is how the personality traits that get me into trouble in day to day life - determination, strong will, stubborness, pragmatism - are all perfectly combined to get me through a situation like this.
Its going to be an interesting journey ahead in the next few months. Its likely to delay my investing journey for a while. But that's life, and my main "job" in the next few months is to beat this thing.
Its certainly a curve ball in my nice safe little existence, and it will make a good story once we are through it all!
cheers
Pen