Teresa D., KY

Hello, my name is Teresa I am a 55-year-old Kentucky resident, mother of two, grandmother of three. I am former cigarette smoker and a registered nurse for 32 years. I quit smoking cigarettes September of 2022. My family and I have lost multiple family members to an array of different types of cancers over the years.  My father being one he passed with lymphoma in 1977. As you read my journey keep in mind, “cancer does not define me or you, what cancer has done it has called us to action.” 

During a community health forum December of 2022, I learned that the age for low dose CT screening for lung cancer was reduced to age 50 from age 55 for those with risk factors. 

In January 2023 at age 53 I met with my primary care Doctor. She reviewed my risk factors and determined that I qualified for a low dose CT screening. I think it is important to say that I was symptom free. I did not have a cough, shortness of breath, no pain.  I had no health problems, I worked out and had energy.  On February 14th, 2023, I received a low dose CT screen which showed a 11 mm nodule in the upper lobe of my left lung. Because a nodule was found a 6 month follow up CT was recommended. August 1st, 2023, 6 months later, I had a repeat low dose CT which showed the nodule had grown to 12.6 mm and changed shape. The following week I had a Pet scan on August 7th which was clear.  August 8th, I had a CT guided needle biopsy which was positive for adenocarcinoma. It is my understanding that the cancer was too small to be picked up by the PET scan. On August 31st I was admitted into the hospital to undergo a left upper lobectomy. September 5th I was discharged home status post lobectomy. The picture I submitted is me and my husband, Mike, on the day I was discharged from the hospital holding the lung pillow given to us by the hospital.    

All the cancer was contained within the left upper lobe except for a small invasion abutting the visceral pleura. All the surrounding lymph nodes that were biopsied were cancer free. Because of the visceral invasion the cancerous mass was given a stage of 1b.  The mass was identified as non-small cell adenocarcinoma with a 3% PDL-1 and there were no mutations identified. 

Because of the 1b staging diagnosis I am at high risk of the cancer returning. Recently 1b lung cancer I was prescribed treatment with chemotherapy followed by immunotherapy. October 2023, I started 4 rounds of chemotherapy which was completed in December 2023. I am currently receiving Keytruda (immunotherapy) every 3 weeks through December 2024.  

Not only did I begin chemotherapy in October 2023 I was invited to participate with the Kentucky Department of Public Health (KDPH) Lung Cancer Taskforce meetings. I am an active participant in this committee as well as recently (August 2023) I have agreed to assist the KDPH in developing a committee that focus on survivors. This program is currently in its infancy. The KDPH is using my story for early detection awareness campaign for our state in 2024. October of 2023, I participated in a lung cancer awareness video with Lifepoint Health for early detection.  When I speak publicly regarding this journey, I like to remind everyone that “cancer does not define us but cancer has called us to action”    

Because of the early detection through screening my cancer was caught sooner than later. I am thankful to God for this disease being found in a curable stage. I am currently cancer free and taking the recommended treatments to stay cancer free. I hope that by telling my story others will be motivated to request a low dose CT screen and are made aware that you can receive your screening at age 50. I often think what my outcome would have looked like if I had waited to receive my screen at age 55.