Kristen K., IN

I have stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer with an EGFR mutation. I was diagnosed on July 4, 2019, and ironically, it wasn’t because of any symptoms—I found out due to a serious car accident. I was a passenger in the crash and was rushed to the hospital with severe injuries, including a broken right forearm that required immediate surgery.

After waking up from surgery, doctors ordered a full CT scan with contrast to check for additional injuries, as I couldn’t walk. The scan revealed a broken right foot and three fractures in my spine. I was placed in a cast for my foot and given a back brace. But during that scan, they also noticed a large mass in my right lung and requested a biopsy.

At 34 years old and a non-smoker, cancer never crossed my mind. The doctor mentioned a few possibilities, so I wasn’t too worried. At that point, I was already overwhelmed with pain from the accident—broken bones in my spine, foot, arm (now filled with rods, plates, and screws), and a fractured clavicle from the seatbelt.

The next day, the doctor who performed the biopsy walked into my hospital room slowly, looking down. The moment I saw his expression, I knew something was wrong. I was lucky to have my mom, sister, son, and a few friends with me when he said the words: You have lung cancer. The mass was a tumor.

At first, they believed surgery could remove it, taking about 30% of my lung. Since I had just undergone arm surgery, they wanted to wait a few days before proceeding. I immediately said, Yes! But once they began surgery, they found something the scan hadn’t shown—cancer had spread to the lining of my lung and lymph nodes. They had to stop the procedure, as removing the tumor would likely cause the cancer to spread further.

When I woke up, I was in excruciating pain, even worse than childbirth. But I reminded myself that they had removed my cancer—that the pain was worth it. Then my mom walked in, crying harder than I had ever seen. I could barely talk, but I asked her what was wrong. She struggled to get the words out, but eventually, the doctor came in and explained. They hadn’t been able to proceed with the surgery. The cancer was still there.

Starting Treatment

After spending nearly three months in the hospital and going through physical therapy, I was finally able to go home. Two weeks later, I met with an oncologist who ordered a PET scan to check for further spread. Thankfully, the only cancer was in my tumor, lymph nodes, and lung lining.

A month later, my oncologist officially diagnosed me with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer with an EGFR mutation. She immediately started me on an immunotherapy pill. It came with some rough side effects, but other medications helped, and I continued treatment.

After three months, a follow-up scan showed incredible results—all of the cancer in my lymph nodes was gone. The tumor remained but had shrunk slightly. Since my type of cancer isn’t curable, the goal was to manage it. My treatment plan was to continue taking the daily medication and get scans every three months.

Radiation & More Treatment

About a year into treatment, my tumor wasn’t shrinking much, so my oncologist recommended radiation. I went in every other day for two and a half weeks. It took about five months to see results, and while the tumor wasn’t completely gone, my doctor was happy with the progress.

She then put me on IV immunotherapy. I did this treatment once a month for nine months, but my kidney function started to decline—a known side effect—so she paused it for about six months.

At this point, the cancer remained in the lining of my right lung, but my scans were stable. I continued getting a CT scan every three months and a brain MRI every six months since my medication has a risk of spreading cancer to the brain. Thankfully, all my brain MRIs have been clear.

A New Tumor & Ongoing Battle

About a year ago, a scan showed a new spot in my left lung. It was confirmed to be cancer. My oncologist quickly planned another round of radiation—eight sessions this time. I just had a follow-up scan a few days ago, but the results are still unclear. There’s a gray, cloudy area over the tumor, making it hard to determine if the radiation worked. We’ll reassess in three months.

Most recently, on February 5, 2025, I saw a lung specialist due to shortness of breath. It turns out I have asthma and pneumonia (which should clear up with antibiotics). The asthma, however, is here to stay for now.

Where I Stand Today

As of February 15, 2025, I still have tumors in both lungs, and the cancer remains in the lining of my right lung. It has been stubborn against treatment. For now, my doctors continue to monitor me closely, and I’m taking things one step at a time, hoping for new treatments in the future.

This is my story—for now.