June 2024
It was October 2019, and Suzanne felt sluggish on certainly one of her morning runs. She usually ran 5-7 miles each day and had collected her share of race medals. “I assumed it is likely to be bronchitis brewing, so I visited my physician for a fast repair as I had a race that weekend,” she mentioned. He took a chest X-ray on a Monday. “By Thursday, after further scans, I acquired the prognosis: stage 4, terminal lung most cancers.”
Suzanne was decided: “I don’t bear in mind being scared, simply able to struggle. And I had an awesome need to guard my household, particularly my husband and daughter.”
A blood biomarker check got here up detrimental, however a tissue biopsy revealed Suzanne’s tumor had the ALK mutation. She began alectinib as her first line of remedy on Thanksgiving that 12 months. Issues had been steady for nearly 4 years earlier than her most cancers progressed in mid-2023. She had one other complete tissue biopsy, and a brand new variant was recognized. “I’m now on Brigatinib, completed one spherical of radiation, and on my solution to stability as soon as once more,” she mentioned.
At first, “I didn’t need to know something about my most cancers,” Suzanne recalled. “I let the oncology group lead me. I’m now educated about totally different trials, analysis, what to do in case of development, easy methods to deal with uncomfortable side effects. I added an ALK specialist to my group, which was essential since she is the one who detected my development first. Right now, I’m the chief of my struggle. It took me a 12 months to get there. I love those that take the reigns proper from the start.”
A part of her schooling was connecting with different sufferers by means of the #TogetherSeparately Lung Most cancers Group group on Fb, in addition to utilizing LCRF’s instructional supplies. She additionally discovered different ALK+ sufferers. “We have now shaped an incredible group – ALK Constructive – which is an enormous a part of my struggle. The connections I’ve with ALK-positive fighters have supported me all through this journey. They ‘get it.’ When I’m going by means of one thing, I simply have a look at those that have had related experiences. Their braveness provides me braveness.”
“When worry creeps in (and it does), I attempt to make my religion greater than my worry. Additionally, the superb analysis being executed provides me hope.”
> Find out about genetic mutations and biomarker testing
> Discover a affected person help group
> Donate to fund lung most cancers analysis