Christina Hessler

On November 22nd, after an amazing European cruise, I took mom to urgent care since she had a cough and was feeling under the weather. We learned that her cabin-mate was diagnosed with pneumonia, so we knew it was critical that she get checked as well. The urgent care doctor told us that a mass showing on the current x-ray that was not on her x-ray from a couple years ago. She recommended a CT Scan with contrast in order to get a definitive answer. Her primary care physician treated her for pneumonia even after the CT Scan report detailed the mass was there. 


On February 9th, mom was admitted to the hospital after months of discomfort in her back the left side of her chest. After months of treatment for congestion, her PCP sent her to the ER in order to check what was going on. She went through a number of tests and procedures because the doctors could not understand how a perfectly healthy woman continued to produce so much fluid in her lung. 

On February 14, 2017, mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Adenocarcinoma-Lung Cancer. Because the tumor is located in the lining of the lung and only treatable, not curable, it is considered Stage 4. She consulted with several doctors and decided to work with Dr. Gabriel Domenech-- an absolute ANGEL of a man.  Since then, it has been a battle.  The cancer has spread to her spine, brain and the lungs (the organs).  After months of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation, mom has decided that she no longer wants chemotherapy or radiation treatment.  She is tired, rest and wants to be kept comfortable.