It’s been virtually a yr since Att Callahan was recognized with stage IIB lung most cancers. The prognosis got here after she started coughing up blood someday. She’d had a nasty cough for months earlier than that.
She noticed a physician for a scan, then a biopsy confirmed it was most cancers.
“I used to be confused as a result of I don’t smoke, I’m not obese, and I dwell a wholesome way of life,” says Att, who was 70 on the time of her prognosis. “I used to be simply looking for a motive why. Ultimately, as an alternative of asking, ‘Why me,’ I stated, ‘Why not me?’”
Selecting MD Anderson for lung most cancers remedy
Att and her husband, Jim, together with a buddy of theirs, started researching the most effective locations for most cancers remedy. Everybody determined she ought to search remedy at MD Anderson, a bit of over an hour from their dwelling in Livingston, Texas.
She had her first appointment on Jim’s birthday, Aug. 20.
“We walked into this big constructing, and everybody was so useful. They requested us if we knew the place we had been going. I stated, ‘No, I’m a brand new affected person,’” Att remembers. “With out hesitation, they stated, ‘Comply with me’ and guided us to the place we would have liked to be.”
Att met her care group, together with thoracic/head and neck medical oncologist Lauren Byers, M.D., and thoracic surgeon Mara Antonoff, M.D. She additionally underwent extra checks.
“We preferred that MD Anderson began from the start,” says Jim. “We’d had a biopsy performed in Livingston, however MD Anderson did their very own biopsy. Additionally they did a mind MRI and a CT scan.”
Att had a tumor the scale of a walnut on the backside of her proper lung. A biopsy of the tumor and lymph nodes confirmed that the most cancers had not unfold past her lungs.
Primarily based on the check outcomes, her care group developed a remedy plan. Att and Jim appreciated how the docs defined all the things. They had been sort, calm and educated.
“Jim and I hit a brick wall once we discovered I had most cancers,” says Att. “However as soon as I had a remedy plan, it felt just like the docs opened a door for us, and advised me, ‘You’re going to be OK.’”
Enrolling in immunotherapy scientific trial
She enrolled in a scientific trial led by thoracic/head and neck medical oncologist and researcher Tina Cascone, M.D., Ph.D. The scientific trial makes use of a mix of chemotherapy and immunotherapy earlier than surgical procedure in order that the immune system can discover ways to acknowledge the most cancers cells earlier than a affected person has surgical procedure. This helps the immune system to shortly discover and destroy any residual microscopic illness that is still after surgical procedure, decreasing the chance for a recurrence. Senior analysis nurse and scientific trial coordinator Edith Roy helped take care of Att all through this remedy.
Att began with 4 cycles of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Each three weeks, she would obtain the drug mixture of oleclumab, durvalumab, paclitaxel and carboplatin at MD Anderson’s important campus. By the start of her third cycle, the tumor had shrunk by about one-third.
On Jan. 2, 2024, Antonoff carried out a lobectomy to take away the lobe the place the most cancers was positioned. After surgical procedure, Att would endure 12 months of immunotherapy with oleclumab and durvalumab. She simply accomplished her fifth cycle.
“The docs consider they bought the entire most cancers, so we’re thrilled about that,” says Jim.
Help from household helps with remedy unwanted effects
Att had some unwanted effects from remedy, together with hair loss, numbness in her ft and dry mouth. Her docs prescribed a mouthwash to assist with the dry mouth and shared another options. General, she says she tolerated chemotherapy fairly properly.
“Once I started dropping my hair, my household had a bit of gathering at my home to help me. My daughters held my hand as my daughter shaved my head,” says Att, who had lengthy, straight hair earlier than most cancers remedy. “My hair has grown again with a curly texture. I like my new hair!”
On the times she felt drained, Jim would feed her whereas she stayed in mattress to ensure she bought her vitamins. The numbness in her ft has gone away. She nonetheless has a bit of little bit of dry mouth, nevertheless it’s gotten lots higher.
“I acquired so many prayers throughout remedy,” she says. “It was comforting.”
Elevating consciousness about lung most cancers
After dealing with a most cancers prognosis, Att now likes sharing her lung most cancers story with others in hopes that they may see a physician if they’ve signs – even delicate ones.
“I realized that lung most cancers is frequent in Asian ladies, even those that don’t smoke, like myself,” she says. “So, I inform ladies I meet on the nail salon or wherever, when you have regarding signs, ask your physician for a check.”
Att just lately had a girl thank her for speaking to her about lung most cancers. Her mother had been coughing, and, primarily based on their dialog, she was taking her to the physician to get checked out.
“A check saved my life, and it might save yours,” says Att. “I don’t want to save lots of 50 individuals. If I can save only one particular person, I’m grateful.”
Grateful for MD Anderson
Att and Jim now return to MD Anderson as soon as a month. Att receives remedy each month and follow-up scans each different month. To date, she’s gotten excellent news.
“I can’t say thanks sufficient to the docs, nurses and different workers at MD Anderson,” says Att. “They had been so useful and caring. I name them my angels with out the wings.”
Request an appointment at MD Anderson on-line or name 1-877-632-6789.
