From Stage IV Cancer to Helping Other Patients Think Clearly

In August 2025, I was diagnosed with Stage IV non–small cell lung cancer.

In the middle of that experience—while undergoing treatment—I wrote a book, Stage IV Cancer, AI, and Me (foreword by Dr. Katharine H. Thomas, M.D.), to help other patients and their families use AI as a responsible thought co-pilot to think clearly through diagnosis, treatment, fear, and uncertainty.

Cancer patients often feel overwhelmed not only by the illness itself, but by the thinking it demands. AI helped me stay mentally steady when clear thinking was hardest.

The book was released on March 4 and is now available on Amazon. At the time of this post, it is ranked the #1 book when you search for "Stage IV Cancer"

Now I’m launching a campaign to place copies of the book directly into the hands of oncology nurse navigators, so they can use the book's insights to help patients who need guidance most.

Why Oncology Nurse Navigators Matter

When someone is diagnosed with cancer, one of the most important people they meet is an oncology nurse navigator.

These nurses help patients and families:

• understand diagnoses

• coordinate appointments

• interpret complex medical information

• prepare questions for physicians

• navigate treatment decisions

They often meet patients at the exact moment when confusion and fear are highest.

My hope is that nurse navigators can use this book as a practical resource—to help patients who are trying to make sense of what is happening and how to think through it.

The Goal of This Campaign

My goal is to place copies of Stage IV Cancer, AI, and Me directly into the hands of oncology nurse navigators across the United States.

Each hospital's oncology nurse navigator team will receive a case of 5 books. My goal is to equip 250 hospitals with the book.

How Your Donation Helps

A $100 donation equips one oncology nurse navigator team with 5 books.

Your support helps cover:

• printing and purchasing the books from Amazon/KDP

• shipping cases of books to oncology nurse navigators and cancer centers

• packaging and preparation of shipments (including packing books, preparing cases, and handling logistics)

• including a short letter for nurse navigators explaining how the book can be used with patients

• sourcing and purchasing oncology nurse navigator mailing lists so the books reach the right people

• outreach and coordination with cancer centers and navigators across the country

• ongoing distribution costs as additional navigators request copies for patients

Your support helps make that possible.

Why This Matters to Me

I wrote this book while living with Stage IV cancer.

Writing it became a way to process what was happening and to share something useful with others who are facing the same uncertainty.

If this book helps even one patient feel less alone, ask better questions, or approach their treatment with greater clarity, then it has done meaningful work.

What Others Are Saying About the Book

“What makes this book especially valuable is its focus on the practical and psychological tools that can help patients endure the day-to-day reality of cancer care. With humility and insight, O’Connor illustrates how structured information, reflection, and guided support can empower patients to ask better questions, communicate more effectively, and feel less alone during an often overwhelming process.”

— Dr. Katharine H. Thomas, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine

University of Nevada, Reno

Hematology & Oncology

“As someone who’s taught about what AI is and its applications for almost a decade, it’s difficult to find resources that have a sober and practical take about what AI can do for people in their everyday lives. With Stage IV Cancer, AI, and Me, Tim O’Connor deftly weaves through the complexity that surrounds AI to focus on how it can practically help individuals to navigate what is one of the most complex and challenging situations they are likely to face in their lives."

— Dr. Adam Pah, Ph.D.

Assistant Dean for Research and Digital Innovation

Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

Georgia State University

“Context disappears quickly when fear takes over. Tim nails this. He shows that the right framing turns AI from a source of false certainty into a thought partner and a tool for clearer thinking. As a two-time cancer survivor, I felt the weight of Tim’s message throughout.”

— Riley Sorenson

Two-time cancer survivor

2016 Pac-12 Conference Sportsmanship Award

2016 Orange Bowl - FWAA Courage Award Finalist

Thank you for your support

I pray for you to be healed, whole, and healthy.

— Tim O’Connor