Did you know that November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month? Sadly, you don’t hear much talk about it. My Dad was a smoker. I hated it. Filter Kings, Super Long has been etched in my brain since childhood. In 2002 as I was preparing to graduate from college, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. This is something I never thought my family would ever have to face. When I first found out, it was quite numbing. I didn’t cry, scream, or get angry. I was just shocked. I just wanted to know how we could fix it.
Prior to Dad’s diagnosis he developed a form of ischemia and became an amputee. That was a big adjustment for him. He was not diabetic. I have to share that detail because that’s the first thing people assume. He finally adjusted to his new prosthetic limb. I remember telling him he was part of the cool club since he had a brand new leg. He would laugh! That was even more reason for me to remain positive for him during his new diagnosis. That’s a lot for anyone to go through. My Dad decided to quit smoking (cold turkey) and he never looked back. He faced chemo and radiation therapy treatments like a champ, and he always remained positive even after having major surgeries due to complications.
What I loved about my Dad was that he never complained. He was a true fighter! Doctors gave him six months to live, but God had another plan. My Dad lived well beyond six months. God has a way of making us believe in the impossible even when it overrides the opinions of medical professionals. He lived almost 2.5 years post-diagnosis. He was eventually placed on hospice and we were able to watch the Super Bowl together one last time. It took a while for me to get to a place to talk about it, and I’m now at peace knowing that he’s in a better place and no longer suffering.
We need to understand the dangers of smoking and the importance of educating ourselves about lung cancer. It affects everyone: family members, caregivers, loved ones, friends, and even strangers. I hope over the month of November we will all become more informed about this disease than we were yesterday.
Here are ways to lower your risk of lung cancer:
Don’t smoke. Cigarette smoking is linked to approximately 90% of lung cancers. You can prevent lung cancer by deciding not to start. If you do smoke, quit. Smokefree.gov has great resources to help you take the first step. Also, there’s nothing like hearing testimonies from real people and former smokers on how to quit. You can read those testimonials here.
Avoid secondhand smoke. Avoid other people’s cigarettes, cigars, or pipes to avoid secondhand smoke. Most establishments have become smoke-free, so why not make your home and car smoke-free, too.
Get your home tested for radon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. It is a naturally occurring gas that comes from rocks and dirt and can get trapped in houses and buildings. You can’t see or smell it. It can also have an impact on indoor air quality.
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It’s always hard to talk about this and I’m missing my Daddy today more than ever—but it’s necessary. Share with everyone you know that November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Spread awareness!
XO,
WOW great read my biological dad died of lung cancer in 1995.
Thanks friend. I don’t think I knew that.
I know that smoking really shortened my Father’s life as well. It is such a terrible thing. Great that you are sharing your own story and this important information.
Thank you, Elle. Yes, it’s terrible and can be prevented.
In spite of everything I’ve ever said about smoking, my oldest son started smoking e-cigs. Once in a while I smell tobacco on him. I hate it. It’s a stupid habit and a huge waste of money. I sure hope he figures it out.
I agree, Wendy. That’s a transition for him and I hope he can kick the habit. It’s so frustrating when you smell smoke after you thought they were doing so well. I hope he is successful. I hear those water vapors (faux cigs) are helpful, too!
I did not know that! My husband’s mother passed from lung cancer she was a life long smoker. It was an awful thing to watch.
Yes, it is awful. I’m so sorry to hear that.
Watching anybody suffer through cancer is always difficult, but its even more difficult when you know that certain habits helped bring it on. Hopefully more people will become aware of just how harmful smoking is, not just for themselves but for those around them as well.
I hope so, too, Kathryn.
I have done my best to put the fear of smoking into my kids’ brains. I know lung cancer doesn’t just happen to smokers, but why would you start something that has such a direct correlation? And once you start, it’s so hard to quit.
I will never understand. People need to understand how harmful it is. Hopefully LCAM will be a warning, especially for kids. Teach them early.
Thanks for sharing your story, it’s an important one that people read and really reflect on when making some life changes.
Thank you for sharing your story. Your dad would be super proud of you for spreading the message!
Quite a few years ago I was not the same healthy person I am now ;) and I smoked up until about 5 years ago (it will be 5 years in January). Now I can’t stand the smell of it and I can’t even imagine the thought of touching one ever again.