Stories of Hope

Joanne Sanoian, California Diagnosed in 2002 at age 51 Adenocarcinoma, Stage IIIa “I've come to realize how useless an effort worrying about every little thing is.”

My journey into the world of lung cancer began in Fall 2002, when I complained to my doctor of a persistent cough that was very irritating. For ten months she treated me for allergies and asthma, to no avail. Finally I went to an allergist and he ordered a chest x-ray. At breakfast the next day my cell phone rang. The allergist told me I had a large lesion, over 8 centimeters on my right lung. He arranged for a CT scan the following day. I asked him what this "lesion" could be. He didn't say cancer but I knew in my heart that is what it was. After a needle biopsy, adenocarcinoma (the most common form of non-small cell lung cancer) was confirmed within a few days.

So much for the active life I knew. I was 51 years old, had a busy law practice, had just become engaged and was looking forward to a trip to Hawaii in a month and planning for a wedding. The surgeon I consulted said the tumor was "inoperable." I was devastated; an abundance of family and friends came to my aide. I was lost and feeling hopeless. I contacted a surgeon in a large medical center in southern California. He said he couldn't operate, due to the size and location of the tumor; that it would have to be reduced in size before he could remove it. I met with an oncologist in my hometown that has a reputation as an aggressive, no-nonsense doctor. He initiated very harsh chemotherapy. I was sick for weeks, lost 20 pounds, and have never been so fatigued in all my life. I had never experienced waking up in the morning and feeling just as tired as I had been the night before! My fiancé was wonderful, never leaving me alone, always providing the support and encouragement I needed.

After twelve weeks, the tumor had shrunk by almost 85%! I returned to the surgeon, who was still not optimistic about surgery because the tumor was very close to my windpipe. He said he would do another mediastinoscopy and bronchoscopy, then possibly remove the tumor. When I went under the general anesthetic I did not know if I would awaken to having the tumor still in place, part of my lung removed, or all of my right lung and a rib or two removed! It was at this point that I put the whole matter into God's hands. It was just too much for me to handle.

I awoke from the surgery in relative comfort. I had an epidural catheter for pain control and stayed relatively pain-free for the five days I was in the hospital. After a seven-hour surgery, the surgeon was very pleased to report that he removed the entire tumor, taking the upper lobe of my right lung only. The pathology reports returned negative! That was in March, 2003. I am feeling stronger and stronger. I will now undergo radiation and low dose chomotherapy for several weeks in order to hopefully forestall any further recurrence.

My journey through "Cancerland" has not been easy and I can't say that I am grateful to have had the experience. But I do believe there are no "accidents" in God's world and more will be revealed to me as time goes on. Why did I get this disease and recover so completely when some don't recover at all? I do know that the prayers and good wishes of many friends and family helped me get through the times when I couldn't pray myself, times when I felt hopeless and afraid. I've come to realize how useless an effort worrying about every little thing is. I have been given a new chance at life and I intend to make the most of it!