The knowledge gap could have cost me my life and this is something that needs to be changed.

by Vasilis Drolias, Patient, 65 years old

It was November 2022 when I had a cold with some cough, some fever and the usual symptoms of a flu. Antibiotics were immediately prescribed to me by my doctor and old friend, who then recommended me to do a chest CT scan, as I had been a smoker for a long period of time. I was afraid, yet he insisted. My fears were confirmed, because the exams’ results made him deeply concerned. “You need to be immediately examined by a pulmonologist”; these were his first words. I remember that at that moment I was drinking coffee and smoking. When I hung up the phone, I threw away with rage the cigarettes into the nearby bin. The adventure with lung cancer was just beginning.

I was then referred to a doctor who saw the exams’ results and told me not to worry at all, to do absolutely nothing and to pay him a visit after one month for re-examination. His words sounded reassuring to me, it was certainly just what I wanted to believe at the time and I followed his advice for some days. Further to the urge of some people, I made an appointment with a second pulmonologist, who recommended me to do a lung PET scan which showed the severity of the condition. The medical diagnosis was to proceed to immediate surgery, as the disease was detected at its early stages. On December 2^nd I underwent surgery, followed by four cycles of chemotherapy and continuous monitoring by my pulmonologist. During this whole adventure, I remember that I was so cool like hell and that really helped me a lot. Perhaps the serious car accident I had in the past contributed to my familiarity with the idea of a surgery and hospitalization. I needed of course to be absent from my work until today, what I retain though is the support of my family and my social milieu. I did not feel lonely and probably didn’t feel the need of any emotional support, I used to say “I am fine”.

It was my partner’s idea to turn to FairLife L.C.C., who also made the first contact with the organization. I admit I was hesitant at first. I was afraid that the other patients would make me feel emotionally stirred up, I was afraid that I would be faced with the miserable point of view of the disease. After starting group therapy, I soon found out all the benefits of psychotherapy. The opinions’ exchange within the group, the sharing of each life experience, the personal thoughts, the emotions, everything proved to be a very positive experience for me. We all know what we want. We are informed through the experience of the rest of the group members. I realized that people need help and support when faced with a life-threatening disease.

Psychological support is useful for ourselves but it also helps our fellow human beings, because it’s a give-and-take process for everybody. Personally, I highly recommend it. I move on with my life finding my balance again and repeating my med exams every trimester. I have quit smoking and now it even bothers me when I see other people smoking. The fear that med exams caused me and the guilt I felt, just because I was smoking for so many years, is an element of stigma that accompanies lung cancer. What we need as a modern society is more briefing concerning such frequently occurring and life-threatening diseases, such as lung cancer. I personally didn’t know of the existence of the cancer screening programme, I learned about the LDCT(Low Dose CT for Lung Cancer Screening) exam by the site of FairLife L.C.C. That knowledge gap could have cost me my life and this is something that needs to be changed.

We are moving on. We are optimistic.

We ask for and receive the help that will help us move forward.

The disease needs braveness!

Finally, I would like to thank the doctors of “Sotiria” (= Salvation) hospital, the pulmonologist Mr. Zervas, the thoracic surgeons Mr. Potaris and Mrs. Panagiotoglou as well as Mrs. Pateli for the conception of creating FairLife organization and her enormous contribution concerning Lung Cancer disease. Unique and worthy of many congratulations!

May 16^th, 2023