Lesley’s lung cancer was found by chance during tests for something else

That phrase "it's probably nothing but we'll just refer you to Respiratory" still rings in my ears

I’m Lesley, and I’m 65. I’m retired and starting a new chapter after losing my husband shortly after my surgery in 2024.

When I was first diagnosed in 2018, it was stage 2 EGFR+ lung cancer. I had no symptoms and it was found by chance during tests for something else. I didn’t know anything about the EGFR+ mutation then. The second time, in 2022, at my four-year check-up, doctors noticed ground-glass changes that were put down to COVID. By my five-year check, it was confirmed to be cancer again, now at stage 3.

I’ll never forget hearing the words, “It’s probably nothing, but we’ll just refer you to Respiratory.”

Now I’m on adjuvant treatment and in remission, I want to do the travelling that Cliff and I didn’t get the chance to do. I’ve already been to Italy and hope to see more of the world while my health allows.

I’ve joined a local cancer community in Bath, where I’ve made new friends and discovered so many activities. I take part in regular wellbeing sessions in the woods, a visual journaling course, and soon, an art therapy class through a local museum. I’ve also joined the Lung Choir run by the South West EGFR+ group and applied for Nordic Walking with a hospital cancer group.

After the devastation of losing Cliff and having surgery last year, I’ve made it my mission to take care of myself and live the life I have left as fully as I can.

“The eye opener for me has been connecting with nature through regular wellbeing sessions in the woods.” - Lesley