What happened, in summary

At age 50, this patient was diagnosed with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer on August 5, 2015, only about 6 weeks after a persistent cough began. She had never smoked and had worked as a radiation therapist for more than 20 years, so she pushed for further testing when an initial bronchitis explanation did not fit. Chest imaging and a CT scan raised concern, and a biopsy confirmed Stage IV disease. Because the cancer had already spread, surgery and radiation were not options. She instead went through multiple rounds of targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy to slow the cancer. Some treatments worked for a time before the cancer adapted and developed resistance. The physical burden was difficult, but the emotional uncertainty of not knowing how long each treatment would work was equally challenging. She focused on her daughters, family trips, everyday routines, and writing letters for future milestones she might miss. More than a year after diagnosis, treatment was continuing. She remained hopeful that another therapy could give her more time while trying to value the life she had each day.