Pat's Story
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On Friday Nov. 10, 2006 I found out I had lung cancer. I was at work and coughed up a
small amount of blood. I didn’t have a cough, it just happened. Then it happened again. I
went to an urgent care and had a chest x-ray. They found a mass in my right lung and
sent me to the hospital for a CT scan. They found not only the spot in my right lung, but a
couple of smaller spots in my left lung. Needless to say, my husband Tim and I left the ER
devastated.
On Monday I met my oncologist and was scheduled for many tests. After all the results
were in I was told I had stage IV non small cell adenocarcinoma lung cancer which had
spread to my lower back, rib, hip and right adrenal gland. I started on a chemo type pill
called Tarceva which after 2 months was determined to not be working.
In early January I ended up in the hospital with unbearable back pain. It took a week to
get the pain under control. The day I left the hospital I had my first of ten radiation
treatments. That was a very difficult time. The Tarceva and back pain had really taken a
toll on my appetite and what was left was destroyed by the radiation. My esophagus was
so sore from the radiation I could barely swallow for a few days. But slowly, with much love
and prayers, I gained my strength back.
On February 16, 2007 I began the first of 6 treatments of chemotherapy. I lost my hair
and much of my appetite, and had to have one blood transfusion. After 2 treatments I had
a CT scan and found that the chemo was doing it’s job. After the last treatment on June
27th, I decided to take a break and get strong for a dream trip we were given to Ireland.
On Oct. 10 after my CT scan I found that the cancer was growing again and have since
started a different chemotherapy. After 2 treatments we’ll see how things look. Until then
I’ll do my best to stay strong and raise awareness for this silent killer.
2008 UPDATE - All of the chemotherapies have been ineffective. In Feb 2008 we
discovered the cancer had spread to the brain and had to undergo whole-brain radiation.
I received 14 radiation treatments that left my head hairless again. In April after searching
for clinical trials I discovered one at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. It was a
phase 1 trial so little was known on the dosages and reactions. It was similar to Tarceva, a
pill you took everyday. It left me with skin 'acne' (I called leprosy), fatigue, mouth sores
and loss of hair still. The treatments were rather difficult, but better that some others.
After 3 months of this and numerous trips to Boston, they discovered progression in the
liver. This disqualified me of any further treatments. We have had to turn it all over to God
for our strength and healing. We have had opportunities to travel most recently to
Washington State and be able to have quality time with my family. Unsure of what lies
ahead we trust that God has it all worked out. This is the first of October and looking
forward to the changes in the season...this is my favorite time of the year.
Please visit the links listed here to find out more about lung cancer, and what you can do
to help fund research for early detection and more effective treatments.
I want to thank my husband Tim, for his incredible strength, support, love and faith.
Without him I wouldn't be able to fight this battle. He’s the most compassionate person I’ve
ever known and I’m so thankful to have his love.
My children, Noah and Molly, deserve a thank you for their adaptability, optimism and
compassion. I’m so happy to be their mom!
Thank you also to my family and friends. I’ve been blessed in so many ways through your
prayers, words of encouragement, gifts and desire to help in any way. You’ve helped to
take some of the stress out of our lives, and Tim and I greatly appreciate it.
Last but not least, I’m thankful to have Jesus Christ in my life. We all have challenges in
our lives, big and small. If we turn to him with thanks and praise, we can face anything. I
know that pain and suffering is only temporary. One day we will be reunited with Christ in
a perfect world.
Holding onto HOPE!
Pat
small amount of blood. I didn’t have a cough, it just happened. Then it happened again. I
went to an urgent care and had a chest x-ray. They found a mass in my right lung and
sent me to the hospital for a CT scan. They found not only the spot in my right lung, but a
couple of smaller spots in my left lung. Needless to say, my husband Tim and I left the ER
devastated.
On Monday I met my oncologist and was scheduled for many tests. After all the results
were in I was told I had stage IV non small cell adenocarcinoma lung cancer which had
spread to my lower back, rib, hip and right adrenal gland. I started on a chemo type pill
called Tarceva which after 2 months was determined to not be working.
In early January I ended up in the hospital with unbearable back pain. It took a week to
get the pain under control. The day I left the hospital I had my first of ten radiation
treatments. That was a very difficult time. The Tarceva and back pain had really taken a
toll on my appetite and what was left was destroyed by the radiation. My esophagus was
so sore from the radiation I could barely swallow for a few days. But slowly, with much love
and prayers, I gained my strength back.
On February 16, 2007 I began the first of 6 treatments of chemotherapy. I lost my hair
and much of my appetite, and had to have one blood transfusion. After 2 treatments I had
a CT scan and found that the chemo was doing it’s job. After the last treatment on June
27th, I decided to take a break and get strong for a dream trip we were given to Ireland.
On Oct. 10 after my CT scan I found that the cancer was growing again and have since
started a different chemotherapy. After 2 treatments we’ll see how things look. Until then
I’ll do my best to stay strong and raise awareness for this silent killer.
2008 UPDATE - All of the chemotherapies have been ineffective. In Feb 2008 we
discovered the cancer had spread to the brain and had to undergo whole-brain radiation.
I received 14 radiation treatments that left my head hairless again. In April after searching
for clinical trials I discovered one at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. It was a
phase 1 trial so little was known on the dosages and reactions. It was similar to Tarceva, a
pill you took everyday. It left me with skin 'acne' (I called leprosy), fatigue, mouth sores
and loss of hair still. The treatments were rather difficult, but better that some others.
After 3 months of this and numerous trips to Boston, they discovered progression in the
liver. This disqualified me of any further treatments. We have had to turn it all over to God
for our strength and healing. We have had opportunities to travel most recently to
Washington State and be able to have quality time with my family. Unsure of what lies
ahead we trust that God has it all worked out. This is the first of October and looking
forward to the changes in the season...this is my favorite time of the year.
Please visit the links listed here to find out more about lung cancer, and what you can do
to help fund research for early detection and more effective treatments.
I want to thank my husband Tim, for his incredible strength, support, love and faith.
Without him I wouldn't be able to fight this battle. He’s the most compassionate person I’ve
ever known and I’m so thankful to have his love.
My children, Noah and Molly, deserve a thank you for their adaptability, optimism and
compassion. I’m so happy to be their mom!
Thank you also to my family and friends. I’ve been blessed in so many ways through your
prayers, words of encouragement, gifts and desire to help in any way. You’ve helped to
take some of the stress out of our lives, and Tim and I greatly appreciate it.
Last but not least, I’m thankful to have Jesus Christ in my life. We all have challenges in
our lives, big and small. If we turn to him with thanks and praise, we can face anything. I
know that pain and suffering is only temporary. One day we will be reunited with Christ in
a perfect world.
Holding onto HOPE!
Pat
