Since I last wrote, we’ve jumped through a lot of different hoops. Some of those hoops have led us to more clarity and some of them have led to more confusion.

It has been confirmed that Lindsay has Stage 3 lung adenocarcinoma. As a young, otherwise healthy “never-smoker” (one of the many new terms we’ve learned) we have wondered and theorized countless times what might have caused this in Lindsay. From hereditary predisposition to environmental factors (such as radon and asbestos) to just pure rotten “luck,” we may very well never know what the causation was. To be honest, Lindsay hasn’t really wondered too much about this; it’s preoccupied my mind quite a bit, however. I suppose that’s a distinct difference between her and me and something I am beginning to learn from her: you need to focus your energy where it is needed and let go of the things that you cannot control. Trying to chase the past is a dangerous game that redirects good energy needed in moving forward, spending it frivolously on things you realize you can’t change regardless.

We have had appointments with our radiation oncologist, our medical oncologists, and our thoracic surgeon. We’ve been introduced to the Cross Cancer Institute and have gone through chemo and radiation schools, learning about all of the “do’s” and “don’ts” when it comes to going through treatment. We learned about two aggressive treatment plans, focused on “curative intent,” that were an option for Lindsay:

• radiation and chemotherapy followed by surgery (most likely a full lung removal); or
• radiation and chemotherapy followed by immunotherapy

Lindsay had to make the tough call on which option to take. She’s decided on the second option. Although longer in duration (it is projected to last a year after chemo and radiation have finished), it is the less invasive choice and has had some proof-positive results in other patients.

Lindsay‘s radiation regiment will be five days a week for the next couple of months. Her chemo will be once every three weeks for three cycles.

We are currently sitting in Systemic Therapy Unit B at the Cross receiving the first round of chemotherapy. This will probably take around 5 hours and we will go from here to her first radiation treatment (also at the Cross).

This whole experience has been nothing short of surreal. To say neither of us expected our world to be turned upside down in this way would be an understatement.

Lindsay has been strong—incredibly strong—through this whole experience. She shed a couple of tears this morning in the chair which tells me she’s feeling quite rattled. The staff here at the Cross are amazing people who have done their best to comfort and console but I really don’t think one can know how this all truly feels unless they are the patient in the chair. I can watch on from my perspective of good health and hold her hand but it’s not the same. Yes, this experience is taxing on me as well, but it’s simply not the same. I truly wish that I could take this away from her. I know many people in her life feel the same way and to have that empathy and compassion from others is one of our many blessings.

Today marks the start of what will be a long and challenging journey to remission and good health. We have a wonderful team of doctors and supporters who have given us hope, strength, wisdom, and guidance. We know that many hands make light work and are eternally grateful to you all for their continued support!