I am a freelancer who never smoked; I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer on June 28, 2012. I was asked to get a chest X-ray for a persistent cough which I thought were allergies. Seeing the outcomes, my pulmonologist ordered a CT scan, and thereafter a biopsy. And the outcomes came back as advanced lung cancer. For me and my wife Shirley, who with later drove healthy lifestyles, this piece of news certainly shook our boat. After eight rounds of chemotherapy, on February 8, 2013, my right lung, pleura, seven nodes, half of my diaphragm, and the pericardial sac surrounding my heart were removed in an extrapleural pneumonectomy method.

I soon began 28 rounds of high dosage radiation to the right lung cavity. Along with it came the nasty side effects of radiation like nausea and extreme fatigue to the point where I could barely walk. I started physical therapy to regain the energy sapped out of my system during those grueling months of treatment.

I have been three years without cancer, and I owe it all to my wife, who has been close by through each painful minute and there to witness every last and big triumph along the way. My wife, our pup Ginny, and our respective parents have gone to great lengths to ease my burden and have filled my life with hope each day.

Being diagnosed with lung cancer, I made an important career shift. My wife and I now play extremely active parts in lung cancer advocacy. With the assistance of donations I have created and distributed the most comprehensive patient handbook for recently diagnosed lung cancer patients. I have serially raised awareness about lung cancer, and its stigma.

ABOUT James

Bio

• Ruidoso, NM
• Adult

Diagnosis

• Lung or Bronchial Cancer

Primary Treatment

• Chemotherapy

Primary Cancer Center

• Other

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