Help Phuong Fight Cancer for NED

Help Phuong Fight Lung Cancer for NED

My name is Phuong Huynh; I am a 43-year-old working mom who recently thought, “I am very blessed and happy”.  My sister recently commented to me, “Your life is pretty posh”. And I remember thinking… she is right!  I have a happy marriage of 20 years and two wonderful daughters. I am a lucky lady! 

That was before September 15, 2017.  On that day, my world turned upside down and inside out.  I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.  My husband held me and we cried.  LUNG CANCER!!!???  How could this be?? I have never smoked a single cigarette.  I live a healthy lifestyle, with a balanced diet and regular exercise.  Why me?  What did I do to deserve this disease?  I was first angry, then sad, and lastly devastated.  For two weeks, I couldn’t sleep or eat.  I was weak and tired.  I felt like my body was wasting away by the day as I waited for my first appointment with the oncologist.  I had pain radiating from my head to my arms and fingers.  My mind wanted to trace every pain, every irregular breath and heartbeat back to this cancer that I now know is growing inside of me.  All of this was compounded by the hardest questions I have ever had to ask myself. What will happen to my children if I am no longer here for them?  Who will watch over them?  Who will provide for them? Where will they live? My income is critical to maintaining our basic necessities.  I also think of the pain and loss they would have to endure if they lost their mother at this age.  I don’t want my children to have to experience that pain; the heartache would be too much.  These were the thoughts constantly running through my head as I underwent five sessions of radiation for my brain, followed with targeted chemotherapy for the EGFR mutation.  I have no other option but to fight.  I picture their faces and I know what I need to do!  I have always been a fighter!  I am an immigrant from Vietnam and had to fight my way to be where I am today.  Now I have this ultimate battle in front of me, and I am armed with love from my families and friends who are ready to fight alongside me.  Since I began telling my story, many loved and concerned ones have asked, “How can I help?”  My battle for my health is mine to fight, but I need your help to win this war.  Please help relieve me of the stress and anxiety of our financial predicament, so I can keep my home for my children.  This way, I can focus on healing and fighting to live on with them.  My hope and dream is to get the “NED” (No Evidence of Disease) stamp from my oncologist.  That will be my victory.  Please pray for me.