Hi, my name is Cathy Eckman. I was diagnosed with stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer in February 2023 that progressed to stage 4 just a month later. We found out that it had rapidly metastasized to my lymph nodes, kidneys, and liver. Though my chance of surviving more than 9 months was slim, I decided to fight it. I started chemo in May of 2023, which was extremely taxing on my body. Then in the fall, I started radiation treatments for 35 days. By some miracle, I was deemed cancer-free and in remission in January 2024.

Throughout 2024 and until now, I had frequent MRIs to ensure I was still in remission. I ended up getting an infection of my jaw called osteonecrosis, or 'dead jaw,' from the radiation treatments on my lymph node. I was in a lot of pain, could hardly swallow at times, and chewing was miserable. Eventually, it started causing headaches. In June of 2025, I got a PICC line placed and started a 6-week course of antibiotics that was administered daily, but the headaches never went away. The headaches quickly turned to migraines, causing vision loss in my right eye. The migraines became so painful that I went to Camden Clark's ER, where I received a CT scan, then an MRI. They found a tumor on the right side of my brain, about an inch in diameter. I was promptly admitted on a Saturday and had surgery scheduled for that Friday, July 25th. I had a craniotomy, where they were able to remove the tumor. However, this means that there's a 50% chance of my cancer returning to the brain, so I have to start radiation treatments again.

I have been out of work since late June due to the IV antibiotics, and I won't be able to return for a while. The smallest amount will make the biggest difference! Thank you!