Support Crystal's Battle Against ALK-Positive Lung Cancer

My Story

Hello, and thank you for being here. My name is Crystal, and I’m a 53-year-old African American woman and a dedicated social worker. I was diagnosed in April 2022 with a rare form of lung cancer called ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This diagnosis changed my life, and the journey since then has been one of resilience, faith, love, and hope.

What is ALK-Positive NSCLC?

ALK-positive NSCLC is a rare genetic mutation found in some lung cancer patients. While everyone has the ALK gene, in ALK-positive individuals, the gene mutates and fuses with another gene, causing cancer to grow and spread. This type of lung cancer can affect younger adults and people with no prior risk factors. It is a chronic illness, and although I’ve made progress, this is something I will be managing for the rest of my life.

My Cancer Journey

Between May and July 2022, I underwent 8 rounds of chemotherapy and 35 rounds of radiation therapy to my right upper lobe at Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit. These treatments were successful — they eliminated the original tumor.

After that, I began taking TKI inhibitors — targeted cancer therapies that block the abnormal proteins driving tumor growth. While these medications are life-extending, they come with side effects. I’ve experienced neuropathy in my hands, swelling and inflammation throughout my body, headaches, and neurological sensations. Over time, the cancer becomes resistant to each TKI, meaning I’ll always have to rotate to a new one — this is lifelong treatment.

In October 2024, I was told the cancer had metastasized to my brain. I underwent a two-hour Gamma Knife radiosurgery, a non-invasive procedure that uses highly focused radiation to treat brain lesions without incisions. I had four small tumors, all under 7mm in size. Thankfully, the procedure successfully shrank all of them.

However, just 24 hours later, I experienced a status epilepticus seizure, which can occur in about 4% of Gamma Knife patients. As a result, Michigan state law prohibited me from driving for six months. Because my work as a social worker involves fieldwork and travel, I was unable to work from October 2024 to June 2025.

The headaches and neurological sensations I still experience are lingering side effects from the Gamma Knife procedure. They may or may not ever fully go away — but I’m here, I’m functioning, and I’m grateful.

In early 2025, I transitioned my cancer care from Karmanos to Henry Ford Cancer Center, after facing challenges with continuity and communication. I now feel more supported by my care team and am hopeful about this new chapter of treatment.

Where I Am Now

During those six months off work, I received short-term disability, which only provided a portion of my income. This led to overdue rent, car payments, and mounting credit card debt.

I’ve now returned to work and am doing everything I can to catch up. I’m paying things down little by little, but the debt is still heavy, and the financial stress remains overwhelming.

Throughout it all, I’ve been carried by the incredible support of my friends, co-workers, neighbors, and loved ones — both nearby and out of state. All of my friends have helped me when they were able to — offering financial assistance, encouragement, prayers, text messages, calls, and constant check-ins. Their love and presence lifted me during my darkest moments, and I could not have made it this far without them.

Still, many of them have families of their own, aging parents, and responsibilities that make it hard to continue helping financially. That’s why I’m turning to this platform — to humbly ask for help.

To add to the uncertainty, I recently learned that my job now requires a new license by the end of October. Due to everything going on, I don't have the time or energy to study and take the state exam — so I’m currently looking for a new role that fits the license I already hold.

How You Can Help

Your donation will go toward:

- Overdue rent and car payments

- Credit card debt from being out of work

- Basic necessities and living expenses

- Gas to get to and from my medical appointments

- Ongoing medical costs not covered by insurance

Every bit helps, and I am deeply grateful for any support you can give or share.

Closing Message

It isn’t easy for me to ask for help. But I know this is another challenge I will get through.

Love, resilience, and faith have brought me this far — and I know they’ll carry me the rest of the way.

God loves us all ❤️