Nancy S

Nancy S., MS

Hearing the word cancer is scary – hearing the diagnosis of lung cancer was terrifying. My story started in the fall of 2014 with a dry cough, fatigue, shoulder pain and shortness of breath. After several months of symptoms, I knew something was wrong. My initial tests included chest X-rays, treatment for pneumonia, a CT scan, a lung biopsy and a pet scan. And in February of 2015 I received the life changing news – I had stage 2 non-small cell adenocarcinoma and a five-centimeter tumor on my lower left lobe.

We are never ready for these types of curve balls, but we face them, get a game plan together and move forward. My journey included biomarker testing, chemotherapy and two lung surgeries. Recovery was hard and living with one lung is sometimes a challenge, but I am happy to say that I have been cancer free since 2016. I have developed a strong sense of community through my diagnostic journey and one reason I volunteer is to honor those friends and family I have lost to this disease.

I work part time at Southwest Regional Medical Center as a grant writer and at Mississippi Community College in McComb, where I teach First Aid, CPR, and communication classes. I am married to Scott, and we have two college age sons Quentin and Oliver. I will continue to advocate for other cancer survivors, and I think it is very important to mentor those who are a lot like me, moms who want to raise their children and not just survive but thrive. I share my story often and volunteer at local cancer events like Relay for Life and Nights of Hope. I enjoy serving on the Mississippi Board of the American Cancer Society, the national ACS patient advisory panel, and the Mississippi Lung Cancer Round Table. I was excited to attend the Night of Hope Across America this past fall in Washington, DC. In December, I received the Cancer Society’s Champion of the Year award and will represent Mississippi for the 3rd time as our Lung Force Hero.

When I’m not volunteering, I enjoy reading, painting, exercising and traveling. I am delighted to share my story and give hope to others who are in the midst of their cancer journey.

I am grateful to the American Lung Association for continue to advocate for early detection and better treatment options so we can all continue to live long and fulfilling lives.
Freedom From Smoking Clinic - Richmond, VA
Richmond, VA | Oct 29, 2024