Samantha Mixon

When I mention to strangers that I have stage 4 incurable lung cancer, I can see the pity in their eyes. I mostly mention it to let them know that anyone with lungs can get lung cancer, because I know the first question they will ask is “Did you smoke?” to which I reply “no.”

I know this question makes a lot of people angry. I used to get angry when asked — that is, until I came to realize that it’s not the asker’s fault. I would have asked the same thing before I actually got lung cancer. Society often teaches us that the only way you can get lung cancer is from smoking. This isn’t true. There are so many contributing factors that people are unaware of, such as radon, air pollution, genetics and just good old-fashioned bad luck.

But in any case, no one deserves lung cancer. Most of us have bad habits, but I’ve seen some of the healthiest people I know acquire lung cancer and pass away from it. This month marks seven years that I’ve been living with it. I received my diagnosis less than a month after my 33rd birthday, during lung cancer awareness month. I wasn’t even aware it had its own month.

In the beginning, I had no hope and no faith. I felt helpless. I no longer had control over my body. I was told I had 12 to 18 months to live. Being the single mom of a 7-year-old little girl didn’t help with my depression. I quickly got on antidepressants. There is no shame in that; I had to be strong for my girl.

It’s now been seven years since that fateful day when I learned my life would never be the same. I’ve come a long way in personal growth and have learned that sometimes the best of God’s blessings can come from the worst of circumstances.

First, my appreciation for life was renewed. I had a second chance, and I could choose to be a better person. Before cancer, I was a workaholic. I never stopped to smell the roses, walk the beach at sunset, watch my daughter and her friends just be kids, and teach her so much by being able to be home with her. All the smells, the sounds, the beauty of this life I now appreciated.

Since the diagnosis, my child has become very empathetic of others, an advocate for lung cancer, and gave her life to Christ at the age of 8. We didn’t push her; the faith just bloomed. I love her more than anything in this world, and I couldn’t be more proud of the 14-year-old freshman she is now.

I’ve also made some incredible friends from all over the world through the lung cancer community. We are united in a hunger and new appreciation for a life that most take for granted. Yes, I’ve lost many of those friends. And yes, it hurts when I do, but that’s how I know I truly loved them and will see them again one day. No one can be replaced when they are a part of your heart.

Let me just say that getting lung cancer at such a young age was a humbling experience. I was so self-centered and uncaring before. I was cutthroat at my job. I’m happy to say I’m not that way anymore. I once was blind, but now I see.

I see that we have this one life, one chance to make a difference in others and maybe make this world a better place. Evil didn’t win. Cancer hasn’t won and will never win because I already have. I wouldn’t take it back for a second. This is my life and this is my purpose — helping others.

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How a cancer diagnosis leaves one woman feeling humbled.

Living with Lung Cancer: The Silver Linings

I received a diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer less than a month after turning 33. I was misdiagnosed for nearly a year. I actually told a co-worker in October, "I'm dying," and I meant it. Of course, he rolled his eyes and said, "You're not dying." But I was.

Once Christmas 2012 was upon us, I wanted to get my shopping out of the way early because I felt so bad. My headaches had gotten so much worse. I went to doctor after doctor only to be told it was my sinuses. I spent so much money on useless medications and equipment.

As I was leaving one of the stores, in my car at a green light, I totally lost my vision. I saw swirly colors and that was it. I knew where I was, so I went straight and blindly hit a curb before resting in a parking lot. Luckily, I didn't hit anyone or anything.

I stayed put until I could see again. I couldn't find my phone and it wasn't a great area. I made it home and was taken to the ER the next day. They diagnosed me with migraines and gave me so much pain medication. I was taking it every three hours and going to be sent to an ENT (an ear, nose and throat specialist) as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Thanksgiving came and I went to visit my parents on the outskirts of Atlanta. The same things began happening and my mother took me to a local hospital where they were savvy enough to do a CT scan of my brain. When the ER doctor came back in the room, she told me I had a tumor and was being transferred to downtown Atlanta, where a neurosurgeon was on standby.

I had to say goodbye to my daughter. She was only seven and I was in fear I may not wake up. I'm a single mom, which made this task all the harder. She screamed trying to get in the ambulance with me. They gave me medication to put me to sleep but I will never forget the screams and look on her face.

I was told the tumor came from my lung. I had stage 4 lung cancer and from what they could tell, I had approximately 12-18 months to live given the information they knew. Little did I know they sent a biopsy off for genome testing which has given me six years so far.

At the time, I was unaware and when I got to go home, my daughter's father and I sat her down and explained the situation. I don't make promises I can't keep. I told her I couldn't promise her I wouldn’t die, but I did promise to fight until I could fight no more. She is my world.

Armed with this information, I decided to make what is left of the time I have unforgettable. I took my daughter to Washington D.C. and New York over Christmas, Chicago and Disney World. I was no longer working my stressful job as the managing director at a luxury hotel and restaurant. I was on disability with limited funds and room on my credit cards. After all, you don't see a U-haul or debt collectors following a hearse.

I actually got married and went to London and Paris. We divorced in less than two years but have remained friends. I had to file bankruptcy in December 2017. Married, divorced, bankrupt and I wouldn’t change a thing. Cancer changed and humbled me. I stop to smell the roses. I live life on my terms. And my terms are to be there as long as I can with my daughter.

I just surpassed six years with no active cancer. I see my daughter more than had I continued to work. She was baptized at eight and we talk about heaven. This calms her fears, knowing she will be with me again.

I'm still on my first-line treatment after six years because I had one of the mutations that allowed me to take targeted therapy. My life is incredibly imperfect, but I love every single minute of it. I looked death in the face and realized I wanted to live.

I have stage 4 lung cancer and told I had 12-18 months to live. Little did I know they sent a biopsy off for genome testing which has given me six years so far. My life is incredibly imperfect, but I love every single minute of it.

Samantha Mixon

Living with Lung Cancer: The Silver Linings

Living with Lung Cancer: Silver Linings

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