Stage IV KRAS Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Wyatt's Patient Story

What happened, in summary

Wyatt was 33 when worsening migraines led to an unexpected Stage IV lung cancer diagnosis. He had been born with hydrocephalus and had a shunt, so the early symptoms were treated as a neurologic problem. The headaches became debilitating, lasting 1 to 2 weeks at a time, and he later passed out, lost vision in 1 eye, and developed hand cramping. During a hospital visit to replace the shunt, imaging extended into his chest and showed lung lesions. At first, he was told the findings looked like an infection, not cancer. After 2 weeks in the hospital and a biopsy, the results were delayed and difficult to track down. His primary care doctor eventually found the report and told him it was Stage IV lung cancer. Wyatt later learned he had non-small cell lung cancer with a KRAS G12D mutation. His care continued through thoracic oncology follow-up, second opinions, and scans about every 3 months, while his story centered on diagnostic delay, insurance barriers, finding an oncologist he trusted, and learning to advocate for himself with doctors who listened. As of July 2025, Wyatt was living with Stage IV KRAS-mutated lung cancer and ongoing monitoring; remission or treatment response was not described.