What happened, in summary

Rhonda Martin was diagnosed in March 2018 with Stage IV non-small cell adenocarcinoma lung cancer. At diagnosis, the cancer had already spread to her brain, spine, hip bone, and lymph nodes. Her first treatment was whole brain radiation. While biopsy results were pending, she received 1 round of immunotherapy. The biopsy then confirmed an EGFR-positive mutation, and Rhonda switched to daily osimertinib, also named Tagrisso in the story. She described the targeted therapy as allowing her to keep living with relatively few challenges for a long stretch. In early 2020, she needed another round of radiation, this time to a midhilar lymph node. In July 2021, the daily Tagrisso dose was doubled after active cancer cells were found in her cerebrospinal fluid, a condition described as leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. Despite Stage IV disease, Rhonda continued long walks, hiking, kayaking, baking, travel, fundraising, and advocacy. Her husband attended every appointment and provided steady support at home. Rhonda passed away on January 9, 2023 from complications caused by Stage IV lung cancer. Rhonda’s story remains an in-memory story, with treatment details specific to radiation, immunotherapy, and Tagrisso.