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Real members of MyLungCancerTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
April 2, 2025
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Answer Summary

Members responded to a question about life expectancy with stage 4 metastatic lung cancer by sharing their own journeys and rejecting the idea... Read more

Members responded to a question about life expectancy with stage 4 metastatic lung cancer by sharing their own journeys and rejecting the idea of living by a timeline, with many emphasizing that only God knows how long anyone has. Several members described their own diagnoses, including metastasis to the liver, ribs, skull, and brain, and shared hopeful stories of stable scans, effective treatments like Tagrisso, and one member celebrating ten years as a stage 4 survivor. A recurring theme was the shift in mindset from viewing stage 4 as terminal to treating it as a chronic condition, with members encouraging each other to stay strong, take good care of themselves, refuse to give up, and enjoy life fully despite the uncertainty.

A MyLungCancerTeam Member

What a tough question to ask and then listen to the answer. I understand some need that...but not me. When I was first diagnosed w/ Stage 4 NSCLC and Stage2 Lymphoma, I told everyone I did not want to know / hear about life expectancy. I refuse to live my life by a calendar. I know I can't be cured but as Kathy said I can live with a chronic disease for a long time and I intend to . I take care of things that must be done by all us old fogies and enjoy the hell out of everything else.

April 3, 2025
A MyLungCancerTeam Member

Wow what a tough question. I have stage 4 NSCLC rt lung, liver, ribs and lesions in my skull. I was diagnosed May 2024. My last 2 scans showed stable after about 50% reduction afyer chemo. I'm hoping with tagrisso and other medical treatments to be around for a long time. I'm 63 a non smoker, organic vegetarian over 95% of the time. I like when I was 1st diagnosed my doctor says he no longer considers stage 4 as terminal it's a chronic health condition so I'm living my life that way.

April 2, 2025
A MyLungCancerTeam Member

I am ten year Stage IV Survivor. I was diagnosed back in March of 2015 and started with a lung tumor and brain tumor! I know several long-term Stage IV survivors. Best wishes to you.

April 3, 2025
A MyLungCancerTeam Member

I like your answer Cathy. Nobody knows how long someone has. I believe God decides that.

April 2, 2025
A MyLungCancerTeam Member

Thinking what the Dr said 2 years ago with mine it has metastasis through my body and 5 years of life. Well it didn't take the wind out of me I'm trying to stay strong and take good care when I can. Never gave up helped me get here today. Good feelings about this.

April 2, 2025

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