We skip stigma. We run from our health.

Christos: Hello, my name is Christos Apostolakos, I am 66 years old, and about a year and a half ago I was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, stage IV, adenocarcinoma.

Since then, I have been receiving a series of treatments, starting with chemotherapy, then immunotherapy and now I receive targeted therapy, based on a biomarker revealed  by molecular testing, which is very important and should be performed in my opinion, to every patient. At the moment, I am successfully pursuing this molecular therapy.

And when I got over the initial shock, I decided to stand up and fight, and not just give my 100% but even more. Not just do what I can, but do more than I can to win and stay around for the sake of my family, my beloved ones, everyone I dearly care about.

Vassia: I am Vassia, Christos’ daughter, my father is very important to me, I don’t want to lose him. I am worried about his health, but I know he is a fighter and he will be OK.

My father saw the disease as a challenge, an opportunity to get stronger. He works out every day, watches his diet and tries to stay optimistic.

Christos: Yes, optimism is a very important key, because lung cancer is a marathon, not a race.

Vassia: And we run this marathon together!

Christos: Just like we ran the 5 km marathon route, together, back in November. Of course, not all days are the same in this marathon, but I run to be able to live, I run to be around my family as long as possible. 

Vassia: Physical exercise helps the immune system and generally works as prevention for any disease.

Certainly, in the lung cancer journey there are quite a few obstacles, such as the smoking stigma. Fear and negative emotions often associated with the smoking habit weigh us down emotionally.

Christos:  I skip the stigma. I have never been a smoker. I have always been an athlete. And this is why I recommend  sports, contact with nature, positive psychology.  I stand on those things that will help me live, move forward in my healing and never backward!