I have stage 4 metastatic lung cancer. There. I said it and now everyone knows. It is not curable, but it is treatable. I have hope and a plan. Let me tell you how I got here.

In the last year I have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, had my left knee replaced, and now have been diagnosed with lung cancer.  On April 5th, I was sent for a CAT scan to try and determine the cause of ongoing hoarseness in my voice.  At first, I thought the hoarseness was caused from my being intubated during my knee replacement surgery. My doctor confirmed that I was not intubated during the surgery and that we should have the scan done to try and help figure out what was going on. Well, we got the results and found out that I have cancer. The cancer started out as a tumor in my left lung. The cancer has spread to by bones and my brain. I learned something new; the way that cancer works is that if it spreads, it is still the same cancer as the original tumor. So I do not have bone or brain cancer, I have lung cancer that has spread to my bones and brain.

I have already begun treatment. I learned something else new; the treatment for stage 4 metastatic lung cancer has advanced greatly in recent years.  I have been blessed with a great doctor and nurse. They have been nothing short of amazing. I had my first appointment at West Clinic on Wednesday April 10th.  I had my first biopsy on April 11th. We found out that my tumor has an EFGR mutation and that the mutation can be treated by a new drug called Tagrisso. That was good news because that drug has some pretty good success rates. Tagrisso is a pill that I take once a day. I am not taking chemo or radiation as most people assume you would do with cancer treatment. Tagrisso is easier on the body and more successful than normal, traditional treatments. Tagrisso passes the blood barrier on the brain and will also attack the cancer on my bones. I have a spot on my upper leg that is causing pain. I had a rod implanted in my femur to help stabilize that area. I will have targeted radiation done to specific spots on my leg and shoulder. This is being done to help alleviate pain in those areas. When that is done, I should regain some my mobility. The radiation starts next week. I will have a follow up CAT scan in about 6 weeks to see how the cancer is responding to treatment.

We are scared and nervous, but we are also strong, hopeful, thankful, and prayerful. We ask that you be the same. We need your prayers and positive thoughts. We need and want you to be hopeful.

My family will help me keep this updated as we go through the process. I love you all. God Bless.