John’s Story

 

In May of 2014, I was told something no one should ever hear: “You have cancer.” The path to writing this 10 years later was not linear; it was filled with challenges, from my diagnosis of Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to negative thoughts such as anger, anxiety, sadness, and sorrow. I was at the lowest point of my life, but survival drove everything I did. Life is about momentum, and that propelled me to find my path. Since I felt a traditional treatment path was not for me, I researched clinical trials and found that Duke had one underway for a new treatment called immunotherapy. With a bit of luck, I fit the profile of what they needed: non-small cell lung cancer with no mutations. After 14 months of infusions with Opdivo and Yervoy, my tumors reduced in size to the point where, if they did not grow, I would be considered in remission. I now get yearly MRI and CT scans to ensure it does not return.

For me, this was the easy part; the total focus on treatment and survival was the journey. The hard part was dealing with the aftermath of the trauma inflicted. Everything was different, and the new path was unknown. I was finally able to dwell in the gratitude of having a second chance, and the way I found to maintain this good feeling was by getting involved in issues I cared about and giving back by volunteering. Exercise and eating well were not enough. Getting involved with the Lung Cancer Initiative was important for my mental health. I was able to meet other survivors who had gone through a similar experience, and hearing their stories about their journeys really put things in perspective for me. It let me know I was not alone, and many of their stories were much worse than mine. I know that sharing my story helped others as well.

Cancer research has come a long way in just the last 10 years. From immunotherapy to targeted therapy, it has helped many survive what 20 years ago would have been a death sentence. The research grants that the Lung Cancer Initiative provides are one of the many ways they support cancer research and the cancer community.

 

Want to hear more of John’s incredible story? Click the button below to watch his full video, recently added to our YouTube channel, and get inspired by his journey of hope and survival.