Hope is Essential in the Journey to Health
By Shannon McGowan

Shannon McGowan offers Life Style Health Coaching in our Coaching category. Thank you, Shannon, for sharing this poignant story. You show amazing strength and courage, truly an inspiration to anyone facing a health challenge!

When a routine brain scan in February of 2002 showed three small brain tumors. my HMO Internist said, "It is time to call Hospice." My family and I were shocked! I have worked as a therapist with cancer patients and their loved ones for over twenty years and had dealt with metastatic Lung cancer two years, it wasn't the first time I'd had Hope jerked away!

My cancer battle began with trouble breathing. When it got worse, I had a lung x-ray showing a tumor the size of a large avocado in my left lung.

A needle biopsy confirmed lung cancer. I was numb—was this a nightmare? Remembering all I learned from my work and became an active participant in my fight for recovery. I talked with doctors while my sister did research on the internet.

Three weeks later my left lung was removed.The consensus of three oncologists was hopefully surgery removed it all, metastatic lung cancer did not have great recovery statistics. I was hopeful and determined, leaving the hospital early.

In a month I was having trouble breathing again. I convinced my surgeon to drain the fluid from my chest. This and a body CT scan showed metasticies to liver and fluid. The surgeon gave me the first "death sentence," "Sorry, there is not much we can do but you might see an oncologist."

Delivering the next hopeless message, the oncologist said, "You have 6 to 12 months without chemotherapy, 12 to 18 with." I knew they were quoting statistics and I was not a statistic but it was still devastating! A doctor I turn to for advice felt my best chance was to go to an oncologist in Illinois.

This oncologist had the first hopeful message. Several of his patients with my kind of cancer were in remission. With chemotherapy, ablation to the liver, proper diet, supplements, exercise and a positive attitude, I could be, too.

I asked my HMO to pay for chemo drugs, they refused. I refinanced my house, got a grant and drugs through a compassionate use drug company program. I later took my HMO to arbitration and won reimbursement.

Seven rounds of chemo and I was in remission. I continued scans and blood tests. In eight months brain tumors appeared, my greatest fear! My new, cooperative HMO oncologist, sent me for directed beam radiation, agreeing that the Hospice suggestion was premature.

This appeared to "kill" the tumors. However, a year and a half later they were not dissipating, and we removed them surgically.

After an easy recovery, I feel better than I have in 3 years.

I am working again!

I have seen our children married and having babies, in happy relationships, as am I, after ending an unhealthy marriage. Priorities become very clear when you are faced with a threat to your life.

These gifts I would not have experienced had I listened to the first doctors and given up hope. Each day is a gift and I have done the best I could to help myself and thank my family, friends and doctors for continued love and support.

Life is good—love is healing—don't give up HOPE!