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In September 2014, I developed a cough that would not go away. It seemed to get worse at night. From that September until March 2015, I tried to relieve my cough by taking antibiotics. I also underwent several allergy tests and saw an ENT specialist.

When none of that helped, my primary care doctor finally suggested that I have a CT scan. That¡¯s how I learned I had stage III non-small cell lung cancer, adenocarcinoma in the lower lobe of my right lung.

This diagnosis was surprising. Besides the cough, I did not have any other lung cancer symptoms. I¡¯d still been exercising, lifting weights and doing yoga.

Limited lung cancer treatment options led me to MD Anderson

The treatment I was offered by my local oncologist was traditional chemotherapy and radiation therapy. But the prognosis I received was devastating. I was told that the life expectancy for my type of cancer was around 15 months. I asked about clinical trials and new treatment options, but I was told that none were available.

As soon as I got home from that appointment, I started searching for cancer centers that offered advanced treatment options. I had heard MD Anderson was ranked No. 1 in the nation for cancer care. So, I requested an appointment.

My first appointment at MD Anderson was in July 2015, and I quickly knew I was in the right place. I received my scan results within hours, not weeks as I was used to. My care team suggested surgery, followed by proton therapy.

Two days after meeting with surgeon , he performed a lobectomy. This procedure removed a three-inch tumor along with several lymph nodes.

I was back home the following week and was able to walk 2 to 3 miles on my treadmill the following week. 

My proton therapy treatment

Following chemotherapy and the lobectomy, my radiation oncologist, , prescribed seven weeks of proton therapy to destroy any remaining cancer cells. I was grateful that proton therapy was so targeted that it would not damage my nearby healthy tissues and organs.

During my time at the MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center, I saw Dr. Lin on a weekly basis. Not only was he my doctor; he made me feel like a friend. Since I was alone in Houston during treatments, Dr. Lin, Dr. Swisher and nurse practitioner Susan Knippel provided me a lot of encouragement. We communicated often by phone and during my weekly visits. My radiation therapists became good friends because I saw them five days a week for treatment.

I learned that MD Anderson cared for everyone like this. Every patient is special and receives the support they need.

I did not experience any side effects from proton therapy, but my service dog, Hans, helped me on days I felt weak or unsteady on my feet. I found strength by keeping a positive attitude, believing that I was going to stay well and maintaining my faith in God.

Grateful to be cancer-free

I returned to MD Anderson for scans and routine doctor visits for four years. Then, during a virtual visit with Dr. Lin this past June, I learned I am officially cancer-free after five years. 

I now encourage anyone with advanced cancer to make an appointment at MD Anderson ¡ª even if you must travel a long way. I traveled 530 miles for treatment in 2015. I stayed in rental housing for many weeks while receiving proton therapy.

Through clinical trials and research, MD Anderson is at the forefront of treating cancer. I am alive today because of the treatment I received at MD Anderson. And the same can be said of so many more cancer patients.

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