What happened, in summary

Laura was 38 when a persistent cough, fatigue, congestion, and occasional coughing of blood led to imaging during a routine Veterans Administration visit in April 2023. A chest X-ray appeared to show a 6 mm nodule in her right lung, but a CT scan showed that the mass was actually almost 6 cm. A biopsy and comprehensive biomarker testing confirmed Stage IV ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer.

Laura began ALK-targeted treatment with alectinib. The cancer responded, but side effects and elevated liver enzymes became difficult to manage. She later changed to lorlatinib, which restored much of her energy and quality of life.

Learning to live with metastatic cancer required emotional adjustment as well as treatment. Laura found support through other people with ALK-positive lung cancer, returned to horseback riding and mahjong, and began opening a mahjong studio. Three years after diagnosis, she remained active in research and policy advocacy and encouraged newly diagnosed patients to take decisions one step at a time.