Kathleen L., WI

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, I had just completed a Master Yoga Teaching Certificate Course. I became a yoga teacher, was a swimmer, have strong friendships, eat healthy, am a textile and fiber artist that knits, quilts, and sews, and also love digging around in my garden.

I was on a statin which made me feel lousy at times, so I made the decision to take myself off of the medication. It was not without risk because I did have a slightly elevated cholesterol and blood pressure reading which is risky for heart disease. I mentioned my decision to a very good friend (hero) of mine, a retired nurse, who did not support my decision, but encouraged me to have a CT Scan to see if I had any arterial blockage in my heart which could indicate heart disease.

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. Many 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 chemotherapy or radiation was necessary. According to my cancer surgeon, 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, and to me, screening is important as I do have a good chance of re-occurrence over the next 5 years. And as research shows, re-occurrence happens so we need access to more cancer detecting devices to catch it as soon as possible.

If I hadn’t had that preventative CT scan (a $45 co-pay at that time but the co-pay jumped this year to $305) I would probably be facing more serious consequences. While it is a slow growing cancer, it does not go away on its own without intervention. What I can’t stress enough is that I was very fortunate because I had a supportive network of family and friends to help drive me to my numerous hospital and doctors’ appointments. I am also retired and 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. And as we know, in 2026 all co-pays have increased. Once I was diagnosed, I was on fast track for before surgery medical appointments, surgery scheduled and aftercare with a nurse navigator available on call for any questions I might have. I lived near and received excellent care from both the UW Cancer Center at ProHealth Pewaukee Wisconsin and hospital care from ProHealth Waukesha Hospital. But not everyone has all the opportunities that I had, and I don’t take it for granted. I am deeply humbled by others with less fortunate cancer journeys as I heard many stories in peer to peer cancer groups dedicated to helping share stories on how to survive and thrive with a cancer diagnosis.

I would hope anyone who develops lung cancer receives the quality of medical care that I received such as: access to early detection screening, access to excellent doctors and clinics, nutrition classes, physical therapy sessions, mental therapy help, survivor support groups, Tai Chi, yoga and/or any resource to 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 high-tech opportunities for cancer diagnosis, monitoring methods and treatments that are being developed and improved though the use of AI. My AI robotic assisted surgery offered the thoracic surgeon superior 3D visualization with wristed instruments for better maneuverability in the chest 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.

Step into the future of safe and effective medical care, and Have the Courage to Be the change to help others.