Support means having people around to talk to, going to counselling, and taking walks in nature - Samantha
I'm Samantha, in my late 40s from Ireland. I’m married with four beautiful children and live with an EGFR mutation. I love chatting to people, walking, and running. I’m an area manager and I love my job. I try to stay positive and enjoy spending time socialising with family and friends.
I was diagnosed in 2023 with stage 2 EGFR+ lung cancer after experiencing shortness of breath and hoarseness. Now I’m learning to adjust to a new normal - navigating the new body and person I’ve become.
Saying goodbye to the old version of me was hard. I know I can’t do everything I used to, but I can try my best to do things in new ways.
My family and friends, who never left my side, have been my lifeline through all of this. My husband and children keep me positive - I want to show them I’m strong and that I can get through this. Counselling and journalling have helped me come to terms with who I am now.
Mindfulness, walking, and talking to loved ones help me cope day to day. I’ve also been reaching out to others with lung cancer and sharing my story to help them. Breathing exercises and music bring me calm alongside my medical treatment as I continue learning to accept and adapt to life as it is now.
