Jill F., MO

In April of 2018, after a 10-day trip, I experienced wheezing and shoulder pain. As a smoker at the time, I would often need steroid treatments for bronchitis. My doctor prescribed the treatment and after two weeks I was still suffering from shoulder pain. This worried me but I honestly thought I pulled a muscle when I was traveling. The Doctor requested I come in for an office visit. He was surprised to find that I had fever and decided to have me get a chest x-ray right away. This was ultimately a decision that saved my life.  After a few hours I received a phone call from my doctor to meet him at the hospital because they could not what I had outpatient.  As my now husband drove me to the hospital, I nervously smoked my last cigarette, and my mind immediately went to the C word.  Although I smoked, I was still shocked to be diagnosed with Stage 3, non-small cell lung cancer upon arrival at the hospital.

My parents, friends, and boyfriend rallied around me, and I surprised myself by being in Fight Mode. 

Then a few weeks later came my first appointment with an oncologist. I went with my parents, who were at every appointment and treatment I had, we were an inseparable team. I was ready to face whatever I had to do to beat this. However, the oncologist sat there, with no emotion, and told us I would most likely die. There was no hope. We walked out crying and my fighting mode disappeared.  

Ironically, and i think miraculously, my parents happened to have dinner with some cousins they hadn't seen in at least 10 years.  As they shared my situation one of the cousins announced that he did a lot of fundraising with a world-renowned Lung Oncologist in my area, and that he would happily call him for us.  The Oncologist's nurse called me immediately the next morning and seemed very positive. They wanted to see me in a couple days.

Feeling defeated, my parents and I were on our way to see the second Oncologist. While in the car, his office called and told me they wanted me to see the Surgeon he works with first. We were a wreck; I didn't want to hear any more bad news.

The surgeon sat my parents and I down and drew a picture showing me and explaining to me that the Cancer had actually spread into my trachea.  More bad news! But not to the surgeon.  He looked us straight in the eye and said we can help you!  We couldn't believe our ears. Between tears, I listened to the Surgeon explain that he and the oncologist agreed that I should two rounds of Immunotherapy first prior to surgery. The surgery would be difficult, as my situation was rare. In addition to taking out two thirds of my right lung, he would have to remove the cancer from the trachea and pull it back together like a sleeve.  This surgery had only been done a couple of times before, but he felt confident he could do it and would have people on speed dial during surgery in case needed advice.  For some reason, I trusted this team to save me. 

I proceeded to have Immunotherapy, which compared to other treatments was a breeze. It just made me extremely tired. Then came the six-and-a-half-hour surgery. I have never felt so much pain in my life but there was a silver lining. I'll never forget the day after surgery, I woke up to my Surgeons beaming smile. He couldn't wait to tell me that there was Cancer in my lymph nodes, but the Immunotherapy killed it! Unbelievable news! 

But the fight had just begun.

I was lucky enough to be part of a research program.  I received 4 very difficult rounds of Chemotherapy. No one really prepares you for all the side effects. I had it all. I couldn't eat, sipping on slushes became my go to for months. Certain smells made me sick, my fingers were numb, I was freezing, my brain was foggy (and still is), my face blew up, and it affected my kidneys.   I wound up getting fluids almost every day in before each treatment every four weeks. Through it all I clung to the fact that I was still alive. I also ended up having to be put out eight more times to stretch my trachea.  As it healed, it would close and make it hard to breathe. My surgeon didn't mind, he was determined to make this work.  Lastly, I had Immunotherapy for a year.  As I rang the bell after my last round of treatment I broke down. I felt like my team of doctors and support were a miracle.  I indeed was also lucky to be a part of research that can help save others.

Due to being part of research, having a rare surgery, and being so young, my oncologist and surgeon tell me they often share my story. It makes me proud that my journey can help others. I am elated to be cancer free for six years! It really makes me grateful, and I look at life in a different perspective. 

If my body had not given me signs that something was wrong, and my doctor insisted on a chest x-ray, I would not be here today. If my parents hadn't seen our cousin for dinner, I would have also had a different outcome.  I truly feel all this happened for a reason. I am here to help others.  I believe people should have the opportunity to do scans for prevention, much like mammograms. There is hope for lung cancer survival and it gets better all the time. I am living proof.