Tina Hayden

It all started Christmas night, after feeling sick for a month, and thinking I had pneumonia again, I finally decided to go to the emergency room.   Being a smoker and having acute asthma, the shortness of breath and wheezing I had been experiencing, never made me think that my condition was more serious.   A chest x-ray indicated a suspicious spot and I was admitted into the hospital for further tests.   A CT Scan indicated the first sign of what the doctor’s believed was cancer, which led to more CT scans, a Bronchoscopy, and a MRI.  There were ups and downs waiting on the final results – what type of cancer was this, had it metastasized, what stage, and what were my options?  My head was spinning in disbelief that this was happening to me and researching on the internet without answers was probably not the smartest thing I could have done.

After 10 days in the hospital and the pathology results finally back, the diagnosis was “Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (adenocarcinoma), Stage lllA”.  Thankfully, the cancer had not metastasized, and was limited to only my right lung, but it had traveled to my lymph nodes. 

A part of me still wants to believe that this is a bad dream and I am going to wake up and suddenly be cancer free.  The other part of me is a fighter who has overcome many obstacles throughout my life, and I know I will fight this too.

Now the treatment journey begins, and I am positive about my options and possible cure.  Because I am young and in good health (besides the cancer), my doctors and I have agreed on an aggressive approach – chemo, radiation, and surgery, which we are setting in motion very quickly.

The best medicine I have is the love and support of my family and friends.  

Through this site I will do my best to keep all my friends and family updated on my journey and prognosis.  There is a long way to go, and treatment is just about to begin.   Your prayers are appreciated and if my story inspires or helps others, then I am grateful.

I love you all.