Mel’s still living with va-va-voom after her lung cancer diagnosis

Investigations for Long COVID revealed a tumour in my left lung

I'm Mel, I'm 58 and live my life with va-va-voom despite having stage 4 EGFR+ lung cancer.

I’m a patient advocate for three lung cancer charities and this September I rode in Sir Chris Hoy's Tour De 4 cycle fundraiser.

In 2020 I experienced crippling fatigue and generally felt very unwell. My GP sent me for an x-ray and blood tests suspecting Long COVID. The x-ray revealed a 3 centimetre tumour in my left lung. I was diagnosed at Stage 2a and had half a lung removed, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The symptoms related to Long COVID saved my life.

The three essentials for me are good nutrition, exercise and keeping emotionally and mentally well. I have a therapist and she really helps me remain positive and live in the moment. But above all of this... love. Love is the drug as Roxy Music once sang! My advocacy work with lung cancer charities gives me purpose, and taking on cycling challenges like the Tour De 4 keep me physically and mentally strong.

"I believe that hope is our rocket fuel and there are so many reasons to be hopeful. Research is moving on in leaps and bounds. I plan on living for decades!" - Mel