I had a routine annual CT scan due to previously being a smoker. That’s what led to my diagnosis with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

I remember feeling fearful and sad when I first found out I had cancer. The fear came from the words "metastatic adenocarcinoma." The sadness was that I was aware of the 5-year survival percentage.

I opted for chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy for the following reasons:

• Based on my own research
• My oncologist was optimistic that she could eradicate it since it was caught early enough to consider it a "curative" treatment, so it was her recommendation
• Financial reasons

I received infusions with Carboplatin and Pemetrexed every three weeks, four times, over a period of two months. I began radiation treatments the same day as my first medication infusions, which were five days a week, with a total of 30 radiation treatments for a total of six weeks. Three weeks after my final chemo infusion, I began immunotherapy treatments every three weeks.

Although the cancer medications eradicated my cancer, the immunotherapy caused pneumonitis after two treatments. The treatment was paused for two to three months then restarted. It lasted for three more treatments, when I again developed pneumonitis and immunotherapy treatments were then canceled. I was previously hopeful that the immunotherapy would be effective at keeping me cancer-free. So, when the side effects made me stop treatment, I was sad and disappointed.

Ten months after my last immunotherapy treatment, a surveillance CT scan showed that the cancer had recurred. I again went through the same chemo/radiation regimen, after which no active cancer was found, although my oncologist would not declare me cancer free. I am now receiving "maintenance" treatments every three weeks of just the Pemetrexed, of which I just received my first treatment of a week ago. The oncologist is unsure of how many Pemetrexed treatments I will receive. It’s pending a three month CT scan. In terms of financing treatment, I am covered by insurance.

The most severe side effect I had was pneumonitis from the immunotherapy, causing shortness of breath. It made it difficult to perform normal daily activities. Besides that, I also struggled with fatigue and peripheral neuropathy. To cope with them, I restarted my resistance weight training and walking programs. Plus, I used oxygen treatments at home and took prescribed medication, namely Gabapentin.

Honestly, I was unaware of all of the possible side effects from chemo and radiation treatments, although I was fortunate that I didn't experience many of the worst possible side effects.

The biggest change is that I’m less active. Before cancer, I was always busy, including doing physical labor. Since beginning treatment, I have cut way back on physical activity and take more frequent breaks.

In terms of future plans, I’d like to continue to enjoy my retirement by spending time with my wife and continuing my volunteer work with the Simon IU Cancer Center, promoting cancer screenings (especially lung cancer) and reviewing cancer research grants as a patient advocate. I also plan on continuing my hobbies of gardening and fishing.

Talk therapy and the palliative care team at my cancer treatment center are some things I found particularly helpful.

I retired as I turned 65 the same month my first chemo treatment regimen was completed. I had planned on retiring then anyway.

My day-to-day life has been affected the most by my cancer diagnosis. I had to cut back on physical activities and take more frequent breaks when I do work hard. I resigned myself to working slower and taking more breaks.

My biggest fear was that the treatments would not work and that my cancer would spread faster than my treatment team could keep up with it. After some therapy, I am now in a good place with the understanding that my oncologist is using her best judgement in giving me treatments that will produce the best possible results, and that's as good as we can get.

I was optimistic after my first chemo and radiation treatments showed no sign of cancer. But I was sad when it recurred a year and half later.

Maintain a positive attitude, follow the doctor's orders, and try to stay as active as possible during rounds of treatment. Don't let cancer keep you from living your best life, however that may look.