My name is John Atkinson, and I am a stage IV lung cancer survivor.
Being diagnosed with the deadliest cancer in its final stage has a way of catching your attention. That news more than 16 months ago has changed my life. Since that day, my wife, Lori, and children, Machaela, Andrea and Christopher, have been pushed to the limits and forced to make incredibly tough decisions about our future.
This blog will allow you to understand the ups and downs of a lung cancer patient, a father, a husband, a golfer, an employee, a friend and a guy next door.
Whether you are dealing with lung cancer or you just had a bad day at work, being able to keep the perspective of life in constant view will help you deal with issues that come up. It is so easy to write these words, but much more difficult to live them. How do you put God first, love and support your family, keep your health in order, and enjoy the things that make life worth living? This is what I deal with every day.
During the past 16 months, I am proud to say that I have had many more ups than downs. I believe that is due to the support I have at home and away, a positive attitude, and the grace of God.
I hope that by inviting you into our lives, you will understand that no matter how many times you get knocked down you always have to pick yourself back up, put a smile on your face, and never, never, never give up!
Thank you for joining us as we continue Living with Stage 4.
Keep the Faith,
John
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John celebrates news that the cancer is stable in February.
He's sharing his story to raise awareness that people who don't smoke get lung cancer, too.
Source: Lung Cancer Alliance
2008
March 28 Selected as finalist for Golf Digest’s U.S. Open Challenge, a chance to try to break 100 in a round of golf with three celebrities at Torrey Pines. He beat out 56,000 others.
Photography:
John celebrates news that the cancer is stable in February.
John Atkinson was 38 years old when he was diagnosed in 2007 with inoperable, Stage 4 lung cancer.
He doesn't smoke.
He's sharing his story to raise awareness that people who don't smoke get lung cancer, too.
Donations
If you are interested in helping underwrite this multimedia blog, please contact: Peter Soby.
What is Stage 4?
Lung cancer is divided into four categories to determine treatment plans.
Stage IV is the most advanced form because the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Chemotherapy drugs are the most common treatment. Tumors typically cannot be removed by surgery.
Source: Lung Cancer Alliance
Lung cancer facts
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.
60%+ of newly diagnosed patients never smoked or quit smoking, many of them decades ago
More people die of lung cancer than breast, prostate, colon, liver, kidney and melanoma cancers ... combined
Lung cancer kills an average of 439 people a day
Source: Lung Cancer Alliance
What’s happened
2007
March 29 Diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer
April Starts taking Avastin intravenously every three weeks
April-June Has four rounds of chemotherapy drugs Gemzar and Carboplatin
June Starts taking Tarceva daily
Nov. 29 Celebrates eight-month anniversary since diagnosis
March 29 Diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer
April Starts taking Avastin intravenously every three weeks
April-June Has four rounds of chemotherapy drugs Gemzar and Carboplatin
June Starts taking Tarceva daily
Nov. 29 Celebrates eight-month anniversary since diagnosis
2008
March 28 Selected as finalist for Golf Digest’s U.S. Open Challenge, a chance to try to break 100 in a round of golf with three celebrities at Torrey Pines. He beat out 56,000 others.
March 29 Celebrates one-year anniversary since diagnosis
April 30 Wins U.S. Open Challenge contest by a landslide, getting 42 percent of 117,331 online votes
April 30 Wins U.S. Open Challenge contest by a landslide, getting 42 percent of 117,331 online votes
May Wins trip to New York City as top 10 of 10,000 employees at Bard Peripheral Vascular, where he sells medical devices
June 8 Plays Golf Digest round with singer Justin Timberlake, Today Show anchor Matt Lauer and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo
June 12 Learns cancer has spread to abdomen
June 8 Plays Golf Digest round with singer Justin Timberlake, Today Show anchor Matt Lauer and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo
June 12 Learns cancer has spread to abdomen
June 15 Celebrity round airs on TV
June 16 Interviewed on Today Show
July Starts treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston
June 16 Interviewed on Today Show
July Starts treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston
Mid-August Hospitalized for surgery for collapsed lung and lung fluid
Aug. 26 Learns cancer has progressed, Houston treatment ends
Aug. 27 Has surgery to remove blood clot in leg
Aug. 29 Learns of lung blood clots, remains hospitalized
Sept. 2 Starts chemotherapy in Omaha
Aug. 26 Learns cancer has progressed, Houston treatment ends
Aug. 27 Has surgery to remove blood clot in leg
Aug. 29 Learns of lung blood clots, remains hospitalized
Sept. 2 Starts chemotherapy in Omaha
Sept. 5 Goes home from hospital
Production crew
John used to be a videographer for an Omaha television news station. A team of journalists is helping tell his story through this multimedia blog.
Charles Coleman, Videobuzz
Photography:
Posts
17 comments:
Hey Big John. Jodi said Kevin got you the Nebraska football game on your laptop. I have pushed every button on this machine and I can't locate it. It said something like I need Adobe. Guess I will have to rely on the back page of the sports section tomorrow in the paper and read about it. Doni was suppose to call at half time but I have not heard from him. Down here Florida don't think there is a state of Nebraska little lone the Huskers. Hope you got the game loud and clear and cheered them on the victory. Love ya bud.
Dear Big John: Just had a thought. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, It's about learning to dance in the rain" Down here we have had more than our share of rain. Literally. Hopefully God listens to all our prayers and you and Lori can soon dance in the rain. Did you get birthday cake. I love white cake. Get better and COME HOME Love Barb and Don
John, you had your cancer a year before Donnie told me. From the moment he told me I have never once doubted that you would not beat this dis-EASE. I have never lost faith. This cancer may not be inoperable but it is certainly incurable. Remember when the fight gets tough, the tough get going. Trust in the Lord with all your might.
Hi Big John: I havn't forgotten you as I say a prayer each night for you to get well. I guess most of us don't really know enough about your cancer even tho I have dealt with different kinds of cancer several times thru both my grandmas, My mother Don's mother Jack and Don's brother Bob. Even, little Max is aware of it. He read and then said, "John needs to eat more strawberries" I hope you are doing better and better each and every day. Lori said you got to drive for the first time in a while. Way to go. You will be celebrating an anniversary soon. Go on a date. Just like kids. Cori and I were at the wedding and reception. Don was at Bob's second wedding to Lennie. Don't push it but just keep pluging away. Eat, exercise and maybe a little golf. I have a hugh picture of you and Lori and the kids sitting here right on top of my computer. You are never far from my mind. I have faith in you and God. They have a her drug, and maybe they will have a his drug. It is designed especially for you yourself. My friend Kitti's daughter is in research and she says they are on the cutting edge of cancer research. She is in Boston. Just Don't give up hope. Have a great week-end and root those Huskers on to victory. Love ya Big John. Lori and kids too. Barb and Don
John,
I just heard about your courageous fight you are going through. The article in the Warrior newsletter was great! I wish I could have watched the golf game, it must have been pretty amazing! I just wanted to drop a little note to say keep on fighting, your story is truly inspirational to us all. I will keep you all in my continuous prayers!!
KEEP FIGHTING!!!!
Dave Kluthe
Greetings John from across the river in C.B.! It's been a very long time since we've had the chance to see you- however, we see you at least once a year when we pop in our wedding video, and there you are dancing and waving at the camera and every year we laugh- we love that part!! We have been following you since hearing the unthinkable news- voting for you on the Golf Digest and saying lots of prayers for your recovery. My dad had lung cancer, also a non-smokers' cancer, and we know all too well how it suddenly brings to life a new perspective. We are so impressed with your courage and just how you're handing all facets of this disease. You have a beautiful family and a large support group- no doubt, much larger than you know. Keep your chin up- and as 2Timothy spoke to us during my dad's treatment, especially because he was so active: He fought the good fight, he finished the race, he kept the faith. God is giving you and your family strength for this battle- keep the faith, John and fight the good fight!!
Fondly,
Darin and Jami Devine (:
Happy Anniversary, John and Lori. 14 years yesterday. Amazing. I pray for you and your little family nightly. I was so glad to get you newest update. Keep up the battle. God won't let you down. You are both amzaing people I am glad to see you are back P/T at work. I'll bet everyone was thrilled to see you back. Hopefully you were able do do something nice for your aniversary. Even if it was out to dinner with the kids and your folks. Family is so important. Keep up the good work. Love to all the Atkinson family. You are so special and we love you. Barb and Don
Johnny-A!
Glad to hear you're feeling better!
Good enough to try and hit the links one more time before the snow flies?
Fire off an e-mail to me...
Peace to you, Lori and the family...
Rob McCartney
John,
From your Brother in Christ, PLEASE go immediately to: http://www.21DayCancerCure.com
Hey John. I caught the end of the segment this morning. My dad has been fighting this terible disease since Jan 2007 and I know what you and your family are going through. He was also a non smoker and is being treated with tarceva. So far, his scans have been pretty good. But it is one heck of a roller coaster ride. I applaud you for your courage and strength and will pray for you and your family. I can't wait to tell my dad about your story. It's been a rough couple of days for him and he could use a pick me up. This is definitely something that will give him the strength to keep fighting. So thank you for speaking out for all of the people who are stricken with this terrible disease and as we say in our house.....LIVE FOR TODAY!! Jeanine Shipp, Staten Island, NY. My dad also has a carepage if you would like to send him a comment. Its carepages.com and his name is John Tiplady.
Hi John,
I admire your courage and the way you are bringing your story to so many people. You are truly an inspiration. I am also in Omaha, so it really hits home. I have worked with people that are fighting cancer, and I know how challenging it can be. You are in my prayers.
If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. I would be happy to give you as much of my time as you need on me.
Keep smiling and Go Big Red.
Bill Cashell
Here is my link, and another from the National Cancer Institute.
http://www.betterlife-hypnosis.com/page17.html
http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/hypnosis0907
Hi John,
I admire you courage and the way you shared your story with all of us. I am also in Omaha, so it really hits home. I love your attitude, and I am praying for you.
I have worked with people that are fighting cancer, and I know how challenging it can be. If there is any way I can help, it would be my pleasure to contribute as of my time as you need.
Keep smiling and Go Big Red.
Bill Cashell
Her is my link and a link to a site at the National Cancer Institute:
http://www.betterlife-hypnosis.com/page17.html
We love your story John. I am in the same boat as you also. Never smoked and at 29 have been told I have stage 4 NSCLC. Check out my website I made because of how much your story inspried me.
http://whydoihavelungcancer.blogspot.com
John, I lost my beautiful man 3months ago from stage 4 lung cancer,he was diagnosed march 2007 also he was only 38 the most strongest man ever he was amazing,like you he never smoked and was so fit and was knocked down by this but please never give up WE need to put a new face on lung cancer its on the back burner with limited treatments because of lack of research. Lets get loud about this I want to help
Hello John,
I met you at Red Rocks Country Club in Morrison, CO. I'm a friend of Kevin's. I have never lost thought of your battle and have keep in touch with the situation the best I could with all going on in my life.
You are a strong man filled with life. You are famous on youtube - although the makeup artist for your film did a so so job. My family sends all our energy and stregnth to you to help get you through this battle.
I know I'll see you again on our course - you can ride in my cart! We'll let Kevin walk. You should know that you have helped many people - you don't even know. While you and your family have suffered so much emotionally and physically, your situation has brought attention to a condition that we all need clarity.
Grace is with you! Let's tee it up this spring!
John M. Birrenkott
what is johns fathers name?
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