In November 2016, I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer after a trip to the emergency room and an extended hospital stay at Strong Memorial Hospital. The full diagnosis was metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung, with metastases to the brain, lymph nodes, liver, and bone. I was also diagnosed with acute DVT in both legs, which is likely related to an increased likelihood of blood clots from the cancer. The cancer tested positive for an abnormal ALK gene, which means that I can take chemotherapy drugs orally that target this specific mutation. These drugs have been working very well so far and they allow me to live as close to a normal life as possible with rare and manageable side effects. I completed radiation therapy to treat the metastases in my brain, and I am continuing to take my chemotherapy drugs as long as they keep working.
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