In October 2025, my life changed in a way I never could have imagined. A CT scan revealed a mass on my lung, which led to a PET scan and then a biopsy in early November. That biopsy confirmed the devastating news that I had stage 4 lung and bone cancer, and that it had also spread to my lymph nodes. Around that same time, because of symptoms I was experiencing, doctors ordered a brain MRI. In November 2025, they found that I also had a brain tumor.
Everything moved so quickly, and my family and I were forced to make impossible decisions. Because of how advanced the cancer was, my doctors said I needed chemotherapy and immunotherapy right away. At the same time, the tumor in my brain needed attention, but surgery could not be done while I was in active chemotherapy. We were faced with choosing between starting chemotherapy immediately or delaying it to have the tumor removed. After being told that without chemotherapy I may only have had about six months left, we made the heartbreaking decision to begin chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Since then, this journey has been filled with fear, uncertainty, and hope. For now, I have been able to stop chemotherapy and continue with immunotherapy only, which has opened the door for the next possible step. At the end of April, I will be meeting with the neurosurgeon, and I am praying that surgery can be scheduled as soon as possible to remove the brain tumor.
My biggest hope is that I can have the surgery before chemotherapy has to begin again, because if treatment must restart first, the surgery may have to be delayed once more. Through it all, I am still fighting, still hoping, and leaning on the love and strength of my family. I spend most of my time in my living room. I have fibro and laying down makes my sides sore, so I sleep sitting up on our couch. Having a beautiful, comfortable space to spend my time means the world.
Recent Comments