Cia's fight against lung cancer

Hello Everyone,


I have recently been diagnosed with lung cancer. It all started a year ago, with a cough and some chest pain, that I only experienced at night. The doctor ordered a chest x-ray, diagnosed me with walking pneumonia and gave me some antibiotics. I took the antibiotics and felt fine:except the cough came back and with it came weird rattling sounds when I would breathe. I only noticed it when i would lay down so I didn't think much of it but after a few months I finally went back to see a doctor, who ordered a chest x-ray, diagnosed me with walking pneumonia and gave me some antibiotics. I was also required to return for a follow up x-ray a few weeks later which showed no improvement so I got referred to a pulmonary (lung) specialist. The specialist ordered all kinds of tests, blood tests, spit tests:when I finally got to my appointment with the specialist a month later his nurse tells me it looks like I have a lung infection that is something like TB because just that exact same day one of the test results returned showing that. So when I met with the specialist I explained to him just how long I had this cough so he decided that I need to do a bronchoscopy (procedure where a tube with a camera and clamp is inserted into your lung thru your airway:not fun). Did the Bronchoscopy was told they didn't find cancer and was put on prednisone to help clear the mucous and inflammation. About a week later the specialist calls out of the blue and says I need a biopsy. A month after that I do the biopsy and the specialist meets with me and my husband immediately following the procedure to tell us that after the bronchoscopy when they initially tested the samples they came back negative for cancer, but for some reason they had sent some samples elsewhere and those sample came back positive so I have cancer. An MRI, PETscan and two weeks later another appointment with the specialist so he can tell me that the MRI was clear but he now sees a nodule on my right lung. Which means if I have cancer that has spread from one lung to the other I would not be eligible to have surgery which could completely remove the cancer. So he scheduled another biopsy. In the meantime, he referred me to the oncologist who basically said we had to wait until they know whether or not the right lung also has cancer because if it did have cancer then my only option would be chemotherapy. So we went for the second biopsy which came back, as the specialist described it, it was kind of good news because they didn't find cancer BUT they didn't really get a good sample so they are not really sure:so he referred me to a thoracic surgeon anyway to discuss surgery. After waiting one month, we meet with the surgeon who says he can't try to remove the cancer in the left lung without knowing for sure that the right lung is cancer free!!! So now here we are, in two weeks I will be having surgery to see if the right lung has cancer:no treatment yet, just surgery to see how bad it really is. I will be out of work for four weeks and I haven't even begun treatment:on top of all that we just got a letter that the oncologist resigned:

Despite it all I am full of hope and I am not yet afraid. I am humbled yet strong and ready for whatever, ready to fight. I realize I am the underdog in this but I'm up for the challenge, those are the best victories...

Please join me as I begin this journey, share your stories or experience with cancer, give advice for my family and friends, send your thoughts and prayers, donate what you can...


I don’t know how to reach out to all of you who helped to take part in Cias journey but I am here to thank everyone who helped us get through this journey. Im am truly sorry if I couldn’t get to some of you to be at her side I really am but do know this she left a smile only Cia could produce! If you’ve witnessed her smile that is the last thing everyone there witnessed! If you ever want the story feel free to reach out to me you will be amaze at what everyone witnessed when we said our final prayer at her side truly amazing in Cia fashion. If anyone wants to I’d love to hear about a special time you remember with Cia or any pictures would be greatly appreciated Robert [phone redacted]