Kathleen L., WI

An accidental find…my Cancer Story!

Hello my name is Kathleen Lestina and I live in Lake Country, Wisconsin.

My two Senators are:  Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson and Scott Fitzgerald is my Representative. 

A diagnosis of lung cancer was never on my radar.  I quit smoking over 30 years ago, was feeling very healthy and at 77 years old, had just completed a strenuous Master Yoga Teaching Certificate Course.  I became a yoga teacher, was a swimmer, have strong friendships, I eat healthy and consider myself a fiber artist who knits, quilts, and sews and also love digging around in my garden.   

At the time, the only medication I was on was a statin to lower cholesterol which generally made me feel lousy, so I made the decision to take myself off of the medication.  It was not without risk because I do have a slightly elevated cholesterol and blood pressure reading which could be risky for heart disease and stroke. I mentioned my decision to a very good friend (hero) of mine, a retired nurse, who did not support my decision to quit statins, but encouraged me to have a coronary calcium scan (or heart scan) which is a non-invasive CT scan that measures calcified plaque deposits within the hearts artery walls to assess heart disease risk.

In mid-June of 2024, the radiologist report on the CT scan indicated my arteries were fine but he noticed a “lesion” on my right upper lobe that looked suspicious. A subsequent biopsy indicated I had non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Stage 1.  A Next Generation Sequencing Solid Tumor Panel showed my lung biopsy tissue was positive for EML4: ALK fusion. After many additional tests and several weeks later I had robotic surgery to remove my right upper lung lobe. Thankfully, knowledge from previous lung cancer research offered me a very optimistic outcome especially since it was Stage 1 and neither follow up of chemotherapy or radiation was necessary; however, I do have to have CT scans without contrasts to monitor any changes in my lungs for the next several years. 

If I hadn’t had that preventative heart CT scan and a radiologist’s sharp eye, I would probably be facing more serious consequences.  While it is a slow growing cancer, it would not have gone away on its own without intervention. Early detection gave me options and hope. 

I am retired so have Medicare with supplemental coverage, which covered many of the expenses although I had co-pays and out of pocket expenses that were over $4,000 -which was a strain.  Once I was diagnosed, I was on a fast track for before-surgery medical appointments, surgery and aftercare with a nurse navigator available on call for any cancer related questions I might have. I live nearby and received excellent care from both the UW Cancer Center at ProHealth Pewaukee Wisconsin and hospital care from ProHealth Waukesha Hospital.  The good luck of my cancer path was that most things were already set in place by my medical cancer team and I could pick and choose from a bounty of options and treatments such as cancer nutrition classes, physical therapy sessions especially for lymphatic drainage which releases swelling and toxins, mental health therapy, survivor support groups, Tai Chi, yoga which help recover and stay healthy in Mind, Body and Spirit!

My cancer path was a traditional medical treatment model; however, I do appreciate the many recent and ever developing opportunities for cancer diagnosis, monitoring methods and treatments that are being developed and improved. My AI robotic assisted surgery by the thoracic surgeon offered her superior 3D visualization with wristed instruments for better maneuverability in the chest and with small incisions that allowed for precise dissection of tissue and lymph nodes, reduced pain, less bleeding, fewer complications and a faster recovery with shorter hospital stays compared to open chest surgery

According to my cancer surgeon, as of this time, chest CT scans without contrast remain the only screening tool available to monitor for cancer disease recurrence in patients with history of early-stage lung cancer.  Screening is very important to me as I have a good chance of recurrence over the next five years. And as research shows, recurrence happens so it would be advantageous to have more cancer detecting options to catch it as soon as possible. 

My story is one of good fortune, timing, the many doctors, nurses, technicians, staffing personnel in the medical community, help of many “heroes” and courage. I encourage everyone to advocate for broader access to preventative screenings, and research to create more state-of-the-art care options, so others can share in the same good fortune of early detection and healing in mind, body and spirit. 

Step into the future of compassionate care along with high-tech medicine and treatments and have the courage to be the change that helps everyone. Recovery isn’t just medical, it is also emotional and spiritual.