Cancer Survivor Story: How I Got Diagnosed with Lung Cancer (1/3) | Montessa Lee | The Patient Story

Diagnosed with small cell lung cancer at just 28 years old, Montessa Lee shares how she navigated getting diagnosed, undergoing treatment (chemo, radiation, brain radiation), and finding support through it all.
As a lung cancer patient advocate now, Montessa also talks about what other lung cancer patients and caregivers should be on the lookout for, including upcoming treatments.
Video #1: How I Got Diagnosed
Video #2: Treatments - Chemotherapy, Radiation, Brain Radiation
Video #3: Finding Support, Community & Advocacy
Find her full story here: www.thepatient...

[@janelleschlosser1490]

I'm 39 just diagnosed with SCLC. I pray everyday that I can tell my story of survival 🙏 I'm still going through chemo and radiation simultaneously. Fighting so hard 💪 EVERYDAY

[@claudianeymour63]

Pray and trust Christ

[@godschild3640]

@@claudianeymour63 🩸Stage 🩸four 🩸lung 🩸cancer🩸 there’s no cure you could go in remission for a while, but it will always come back because it’s in the lymph nodes or your blood 🩸 AND IF YOU GOT CORONAVIRUS LIKE ME, THAT’S WHAT STARTED IT AND THIS IS THE REASON WHY MILLIONS DIED IN DEUTERONOMY 28:43 to 44 you didn’t listen to God

[@lynnelee4390]

My friend who was 78 at the time, had a 4cm sclc, they did 3 treatments of chemo and immunotherapy, and she is fine now 2 years later

[@dhanapatidahal]

I am also a lung cancer patient and willing to share my survival story

[@darrellbarry3402]

I found out I had lung cancer (and a seperate kidney cancer) after a motorcycle crash, would not have known otherwise. There was no spread so no chemo, just kidney removal and left upper lobectomy. In recovery now and feeling well. At 51 I realise I am damn lucky. My heart goes out to people much younger than me who are facing much worse situations with cancer.

[@Mickydee773]

How big was the tumour in your lung ?

[@darrellbarry3402]

@@Mickydee773 about 29mm. I had a nagging pain that would come and go, right over the tumor site for years, its gone now, i was under the impression lungs had no nerve pathways.

[@sensimania]

@@darrellbarry3402 I'm glad that it was caught early and you're still with us Was the tumor seen on a simple chest x-ray, or did they also need to do other things (such as autopsy and CT scan)?

[@darrellbarry3402]

@@sensimania I'd had chest x-rays in 2015 which never picked it up. The CT scan to check for internal injuries picked it up.

[@martinlutherkingjr.5582]

@@darrellbarry3402Was it small cell or large cell lung cancer?

[@thrivermedias1880]

Nothing like a big close living family for strengthening someone’s faith.

[@direfranchement]

A young pharmacy technician that I used to work with was diagnosed with lung cancer that spread to her brain in 2015. She was also in her 20s and it ultimately claimed her life. Such a tragedy.

[@nickywilks7928]

What an amazing woman....good luck to you.

[@JAYBARS85]

God bless you! Hope everything going well

[@andrehanderson]

What a sweet person.

[@kvdme]

My sister's lung was full, no air going in. She was diagnosed during her yearly medicare check. She is on double immunotherapy now.

[@melissabrister933]

Almost same thing happened to me just like you. I was treated for upper respitory and pneumonia but never got sent for exray from Urgent Care. Thing about the whole thing was I was never sick I had just lost my voice. When 2 months went by and still no voice I knew something bad was wrong so went to ER and low and behold the Dr on call was familiar with what was going on. ER dr referred me to my primary care and she got right on getting me appts with pulmonary. Actually I left her office and got home 20min later and before I open my front door my pulmonary dr was calling. So dealing with Stage 4 lung cancer that has moved into my brain. In my brain that is only 4mm so chemo first to see if it will respond.

[@hotcocoa00]

I'm glad it got caught and you're getting help. Wishing you all the best ❤

[@godschild3640]

@@hotcocoa00 🌼Radiation 🌼works 🌼really 🌼good🌼

[@danikat6129]

I’m 28 and was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. Your story was for me🙏🏾 I thought surgery would be enough but now they’re saying it’s in 1 lymph node

[@danikat6129]

Have never smoked or anything. I have a genetic mutation.

[@phillipevans1152]

I hope you achieve your treatment goals and get well soon. You’re not alone when people are rooting for you.

[@anglophils645]

All cancers are as a result of genetic mutation. It does not mean that you were born with it, it is most likely not an inherited genetic mutation. We do not know, for the most part, what causes genetic mutations, and thereby cancer. If we did, we could prevent cancer. We do know that smoking accelerates the rate of genetic mutations in the lungs, but there are many non-smokers who also develop these genetic mutations. Asbestos exposure can cause genetic mutations in lung tissue. Beyond smoking and asbestos exposure, we do not know what causes the genetic mutations that result in lung cancer. Some studies are indicating that fetal cells may cross the placenta during pregnancy, and end up in the mother's lungs, and develop into cancerous tissue at a later date. It's possible that this is what has caused your lung cancer. Unfortunately, we still do not know what causes most cancers.

[@anglophils645]

Good luck with your treatment. At your young age, you are very likely to have a positive outcome. One positive lymph node is not too bad, your cancer has been caught early. Thinking of you, and wishing all the best for you!

[@danikat6129]

@@anglophils645 that makes so much sense…Thankyou for that breakdown. they confirmed that I had a EGFR Mutation to develop but of course was not inherited. They believe the Li- Fraumeni syndrome I have allowed the mutation to take effect.

[@ronak6873]

Do u undergo chemo? My father got cancer stage 3.. may I ask some idea about how u survive and I can apply to him🙏🙏😢

[@cathalodiubhain5739]

What a lovely lady. I wish her well. I'm just wondering if I have lung cancer myself. I have clubbed nails and no other symptoms apart from a little burning sensation on my right shoulder blade. I exercise daily and have no cough or shortness of breath even when exercising. I do have sarcoidosis since 2001 and I'm hoping the nail clubbing maybe from that. I also have an ostomy bag and maybe that might case the nail clubbing. I hope I don't have lung cancer as I don't want to put my parents through more misery.

[@ThePatientStory]

Thinking of you. If you're able to get yourself checked out, that may be the best way to get answers. All my best. -Stephanie

[@cathalodiubhain5739]

@@ThePatientStory Thank you very much

[@sharondrake5119]

This is no joke 😓 save yourself and loved ones from this painful monster, visit Dr Uromi herbal home on KZbin, natural herbs can heal you, i was saved too.

[@anglophils645]

Sarcoidosis can, indeed, cause nail clubbing.

[@lalaland4028]

Right shoulder pain is a symptom, go early before complications

[@cherylmosley5750]

The only issue I have with this channel… Is although the content is so informative, I am a relationship sort of person… I want to know what happens to the people being interviewed! Very rarely do I ever see any follow up what happens to the people being interviewed, unfortunately.

[@ThePatientStory]

Cheryl, thank you so much for this feedback, we do understand how this can be. We are trying to figure out how to do follow-ups!

[@Wanderingsoul520]

I am really scared. It started as chest tightness around November 2023 then proceeded to dry cough. I jave been to 3 doctors all said bronchitis or asthma but Bronchitis never lasts this long does it? Its April now and I still have the cough however now the cough is productive. So my current symptoms include productive cough with shortness of breath and wheezing. My shortness of breath is not thta bad as I can do my daliy work without worrying much its the cough I am scared of. This just wont buldge it comes suddenly with extreme itching in throat and is especially bad during the night time. I have no idea what I am dealing with I never smoked a day in my life but now I am s*it scared that I am going to die.

[@itsAnisaedits]

I concern about lung cancer because I have the symptoms of. Similar story I have and I am scared because the doctor said let’s see if will go away even I had accident with bike. And 5 operations and now I’m worried. For anything that will happen to me. Cause I am 15 years old.😢😩😩😬😬😳☹️

[@mysteryegg340]

If you have the symptoms, go to a doctor.

[@daydreonmckinney]

You show animals in the shelter because of unaffordable housing. You also should mention the over crowed juvenile facilities. Or why we have so many homeless. So many families are torn apart because of ridiculous housing and unlivable wages.

[@boraborabob1]

Heavy smoker for 40 years. Quit for 21 years. Thought it was enough. No. Stage 4 lung cancer now.

[@infolegal-zb5qm]

Any update? A nice lady

[@user-yh9gm3eu6l]

🙏

[@sensimania]

I wonder which part of her back was she experiencing pain (lower, middle, upper)? I've been getting pain in my spine (halfway up my back) which only troubles me either when I slouch or touch that part of the spine. I have also been getting rib pain in the cartilage of the ribs rather than the bone, and it differs from each side (never at the same time). I've had an ultrasound and chest x-ray, but the only thing that was found was atelectasis (partially collapsed lung) and chest infection. A few months after antibiotic treatment, the discomfort is back again

[@danikat6129]

Please always get a second opinion and investigate more.

[@sensimania]

@@danikat6129 I will do. I have another scan in 2 weeks. I wish it could be sooner. Can't stand the waiting game 🙁 Thanks for responding

[@imeldacordova7908]

@@sensimania how are you now?

[@tequilabumbum4373]

@@sensimania hey how are you doing? 🙏🏽❤️

[@sensimania]

@@tequilabumbum4373 Hi, thank you for asking. I had a followup x-ray a few weeks ago, which shows that the chest infection and atelectasis is gone (after taking antibiotics and doing breathing exercises). Not sure what caused those things. It's a chicken/egg type of situation (atelectasis can cause a chest infection, but a chest infection can cause atelectasis, but which one started first, and what started it??) It seems as though the rib pain was caused by acid reflux. I thought this was weird, because it's a different type of feeling compared to the usual type of discomfort one would get from acid reflux or indigestion. At times it was quite intense cramping of the ribs and breastbone, and other times it was a dull ache. But sure enough, the Omeprazole (indigestion meds) prescribed for me has taken care of that pain. The spine pain only started when I was taking the antibiotics to get rid of the chest infection. I didnt make the connection at the time of writing the original comment, but bone pain is one of the listed side effects for the particular brand of antibiotics I was taking. Again, it's weird that I still periodically feel discomfort in that part of the spine considering the fact that side effects are only meant to last while taking the meds that caused it (I took a 7 day course which also made me throw up on day 2). Apologies for the long comment, but hopefully my experience can help others rule out certain things and get tested for other things. Thankfully my symptoms were explained away by non-threatening factors.

[@sheliasims5786]

I had breast cancer about 1 yrs ago

[@marykelly9698]

I really hope you contacted those other doctors and told them of your cancer maybe they should xray lungs more often

[@boraborabob1]

I have not shared my stage 4 lung with family. Why burden them with my problem?

[@SheliaRPierre]

You could have support to help you through the journey...so you won't feel alone. Prayers for your complete healing.

[@tequilabumbum4373]

Poor girl😪 anyone knows how she is doing now?

[@shahnawazkhan6771]

ist stage non small lung nodules cancer.survival live age .....plz rply my answer......

[@ThePatientStory]

Hi, I apologize, I don't understand your question. If it's medical, please reach out to medical professionals. Sending you my best. -Stephanie

[@didotbusu4178]

@@ThePatientStory May I know what food / drinks/supplement did you take before,while and after chemotherapy. Tq.

[@godschild3640]

@@didotbusu4178. SEE YOUR ALL DEMOCRATIC PARTY. You will never tell us how long we have to live with stage four non-small cell lung cancer ADENOCARCINOMA .. I HAVE SPENT THREE MONTHS OF MY LIFE, TRYING TO FIND OUT HOW LONG I HAVE TO LIVE YOU WERE ABUSIVE IN EVERY WAY IN EVERY SINGLE WAY HIDING SOMETHING IS A LIE AND NO LIAR GOES TO HEAVEN YOU’RE PRETENDING THAT. KEYTRUDA WORKS WHEN IT DONT .. YOU WON’T TELL US ANYTHING WE HAVEN’T LEARNED A DAMN THING NOT ONE THING NOT ONE THING HAVE I LEARNED IN THE THREE MONTHS THAT I HAVE WATCHED ALL THESE VIDEOS. I STILL DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER, TO METASTASIZE TO THE BRAIN OR ANOTHER ORGAN THAT’S MY QUESTION AND MY ONLY QUESTION, BUT YOU CAN’T SEEM TO ANSWER THE QUESTION non-small cell lung cancer how long does it take to go to the brain or another Oregon? that’s all I wanna know and then I could go on with my life. I hate the Democratic Party you always hide something. You always lie. You can’t tell the truth and you waste peoples time.

[@Bambotb]

She wasn't a smoker or regular drinker ?

[@dragonladee3721]

Lung cancer affects as many non-smokers as smokers. 6 people I have known that have died of lung cancer, never smoked and weren't around smokers compared to only 2 smokers. There are more and more young adults and children getting lung cancer from smoke-free homes. It is baffling to say the least.

[@kermitthefrog3632]

@@dragonladee3721 That is simply not true. Smoking cigarettes leads to 80-90% of lung cancers.

[@danikat6129]

@@kermitthefrog3632 No - depends on the type of lung cancer and a Google search or any doctor would confirm this. The majority of people with Non Small cell lung cancer are non-smokers. Like myself.

[@cm1133]

@@dragonladee3721 VOCs are the reason.