LUNG FORCE Heroes

Search by keyword

June B

My name is June and my journey with cancer has been going on for 14 years now. It all started in 2002 when I was diagnosed with Stage II Uterine Cancer. In 2007, when I should have been celebrating 5 years "cancer free", I learned that the cancer had metastized to Stage IV Lung Cancer. The next 7 years was a battle that included two 6-month rounds of chemo therapy, two rounds of Cyberknife treatment sessions, and then I finally went into remission. However, in September 2015 during a routine follow up scan, I discovered that the tumor had latched on to my ribs and the cancer had returned.

What followed was a very aggressive course of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. My attitude from the first day I heard the words "You Have Cancer" have always been to beat it, not let it beat me. I was extremely fortunate in having an amazing oncologist, a very supportive husband and a group of friends and coworkers who lifted my spirits every day.

In December 2015 my family came to visit for the holidays and attended one of my appointments. I had scans done a few days before and the results showed that the cancer had disappeared! My treatments stopped immediately, but I'm still being closely monitored. I had my own special Christmas miracle.

I advocate that when facing something like this you must be strong and determined to fight. You need a doctor that you trust and no matter what, you cannot give in. You also need a strong support system of family, friends, co-workers and organizations such as the American Lung Association that are always there and fighting to make things better.

First published: September 27, 2016

---