A random flyer in the mail, in 2016, advertising “Body Scans” for a reasonable price started my cancer journey. The scan detected a fuzzy spot on my right lung and my Primary Care Doctor suggested we keep a close eye on it. Eight years later, when my doctor retired and I started with a new physician, I went for lab work, tests and scans. After a biopsy of the now calcified spot, lung cancer was confirmed.
I started chemo in October 2023 with four treatment three weeks apart, finishing on December 26, 2023. The delay moving forward eight years ago was beneficial to my journey because the current treatment protocol (2023) is to have chemo first with recovery and then surgery and it is less than two years in use. Prior to that, the treatment plan would have been the reverse, surgery first and then chemo. After more tests and consultations with a surgeon at KU Cancer Center, I was scheduled for surgery in February 2024. There was a small complication during surgery and a chyle leak was discovered which lengthened my hospital stay and slowed my recovery.
I never expected to hear that my gene mutation, EGFR, would be good news. However, the drug, Tagrisso, which had been a general use cancer drug, was specific to fighting this mutation. I started taking Tagrisso in late May and have managed the side effects well. My current treatment plan is three years of the oral pill with lab work and scans every three to six months. I am very, very fortunate that the doctors encouraged me to pursue further tests and treatment. One doctor, in particular, argued with the insurance company for hours on my behalf because they had denied a PET scan since I had one within a five-year period.
The random flyer for the body scan started this medical journey, which probably afforded me life-saving information. I am a 72 year old, very healthy woman and had never been in the hospital except for having children, 40+ years ago. I was symptom free and totally unaware that something foreign was growing in my right lung. I am a survivor of lung cancer due to early identification.
I am participating in the Lung Cancer Support group at KU Med sharing my story as opportunities present themselves. I have joined The Lung Action Network and I would be honored to be considered for the Missouri Lung Force Hero for 2025.
