My lung cancer nurse specialist has been phenomenal! Nothing is ever too much trouble for her - Natasha
I’m Natasha, 51, and I love keeping fit and active. I spend as much time as I can outdoors - hill walking with my two dogs, mountain biking, or kayaking. I also practise yoga several times a week and have recently started going to the gym a couple of times too.
I was diagnosed with EGFR+ lung cancer in 2022, initially stage 3, but it quickly progressed to stage 4 with brain mets before I could start treatment. Before my diagnosis, I’d had a persistent cough, hoarseness, and fatigue.
My family and friends are my lifeline. They are there in so many different ways: giving me lifts when I need to go somewhere, cake and coffee when I need to chat, and just giving me the sense of normality. We laugh and life usually feels normal but they are also there on the heavy days when things get tough.
I feel very lucky and grateful that my body still allows me to be active and do the things I love. When I feel anxious, yogic breathing or walking my dogs helps me reset and calm my mind. Yoga, gardening, and being outdoors all help me feel grounded.
Connecting with others through social media who are going through similar experiences has made a huge difference. I find strength, inspiration, and hope in their stories - the power of connecting with people who truly understand can’t be overstated.
I try to eat healthily and cook most meals from scratch, choosing oat or almond milk instead of cow’s milk and avoiding heavily processed foods. I’ve learnt so much from online groups, specialists, and webinars. My oncology team also explain things in clear, simple language, which helps me take part in decisions about my care and treatment.
