Gail Chapman GiGiLicious

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Here's the deal: Gail was dx w/ NSCLC (non-small-cell lung cancer)... Stage IIB ... in Spring of 2013. I believe she did have the EGFR+ , L858R gene mutation. I will update when i get my files. She underwent Left Upper Lobectomy of lung (Dr. Force) on May 23, 2013,  followed by Chemo (4 cycles of Cisplatin and Alimta). From the time of her initial dx, until Feb 12, 2018, she was CANCER- FREE!! In that time, she welcomed a new granddaughter and met her sweet Wayne, who has made her so happy. On Feb 13, 2018, routine CT Chest showed probable recurrence of lung cancer with tiny spots in both lungs and a left adrenal mass. This would, of course. be considered a metastatic lung cancer. This was quite the surprise, and we were all quickly brought back to reality. A follow up PET scan on Feb 27, 2018 did recognize the adrenal mass but nothing lit up in the lungs. Her Cardiovascular Surgeon, Dr. Seth Force, believes this is because these areas are too small to uptake any dye. 


The plan now is to have a wedge resection of the largest (8mm) spot in the right lung via VATS on 3/8/18. We will have a dx at that time. I am assuming we will then see what to do about the adrenal issue...probable CT- guided needle biopsy of left adrenal gland. I don't know if resection of the mass or adrenalectomy are options at this time. 


Mom's Oncologist is Dr. Ramalingam and he and Dr. Force are at Emory in ATL. Her Cancer treatments, etc are at the Winship Cancer Institute on Clifton Rd, ATL. 


Regardless of ANY situation, we are with her every step! Surgery, chemo, immunotherapy, gene-testing, targeting drugs..whatever we need to do, we do. Cancer is a CHRONIC condition, nothing else. It's a trip, whether that be a nice quick jaunt or a road-trip. I was born ready!!