Advocate Spotlight: Diane

LungCancer.net shares the stories and experiences of people living with lung cancer. We are highlighting the story of our advocate Diane who was diagnosed with lung cancer at a younger age. In her interview, she talks about the positives that have come into her life since her diagnosis.

I was diagnosed at 30 years old

I was diagnosed with stage 3b lung cancer in April 2014. I was 30 years old and to say I was shocked would be an understatement. I started having a pain in my chest and looking back I also had a cough and a wheeze. I ended up in the emergency room on a Sunday night and I was admitted into the hospital. I got all sorts of tests and bloodwork. They thought that I had a blood clot so I had a chest CT and it did reveal a pulmonary embolism but it also showed that I had a mass in the other lung. More tests and a few days later I have a vague diagnosis of cancer. My local hospital knew that it was cancer but I didn’t find out it was lung cancer until I met with a thoracic oncologist.

From chemotherapy to radiation to targeted therapies

My tumor was tested for biomarkers right away even though I did not know what that meant at the time. It was found that my tumor was EGFR and I started on Afatanib. It, unfortunately, did not work, and I started Cisplatin and Alimta chemotherapy. I did both for four rounds and two rounds of just Alimta.

I had some radiation, but the cancer was growing. My tumor was sent out for more testing and it was found that it also had met amplification. I started a clinical trial in Boston and that worked for 11 months. I was then put on Cabozantinib and Tarceva until that didn’t work. I stayed on the Tarceva and started a second clinical trial. I stopped the trial because of severe neuropathy but continued with Tarceva. That is the treatment that I am on today.

Be in the company of your favorite people

I am a big believer in being in the company of your favorite people. I spend a lot of time with my family. When we are not in a pandemic, I also spend time with my close friends. We have lunch dates and craft nights. I feel as though my cancer diagnosis changed me in a good way. I love a normal day doing normal things. When I was at my worst it was hard to think that I would be going to work and taking care of my pups or cooking dinner for my husband and doing laundry. I value the weekends where I get to check things off my to-do list.

Something people don't often know...

I love live music! I have seen my favorite artist over 40 times live in 9 different states and two countries. He has done a wonderful job of being pandemic-friendly and doing live-stream concerts. He also did a drive-in concert and I attended the Chicago show.