I am a forty-two year old wife and mother of two young daughters, diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer (adenocarcinoma) in October, 2007.  After a regimen of Carboplatin/Paclitaxel/Avastin, I have continued with stability for over two years with Tarceva/Avastin, feeling as good as ever.   Next step will be a clinical trial, as we recently found that I am positive for the ALK gene mutation.  I work full-time as a manager of a municipality in Pennsylvania, and have been blessed with supportive colleagues and friends who have seen me through this battle.

I enjoy all that comes with the activities of my girls…soccer, swim team, girl scouts and riding lessons.  I love animals (I have a beautiful thoroughbred named Swisher and a cuddly goldendoodle named Otis) and surfing the internet.  One of my great loves, singing, was compromised during my first chemo regimen and has not come back fully since, though I haven’t lost hope that it will regain its former strength.  And I am a Christian with a deep faith in God and His power in my life.

A big part of my life since diagnosis has been as lung cancer advocate.  I never really envisioned myself in this role, though I do have a big mouth!!  Well, I have found my voice, and I work every day to try to further the movement toward awareness of the devastation of lung cancer and its dismal funding.  And there are so many different ways you can help!!  I also feel it is critical, while I am still here with my daughters, to try to instill in them a sense of responsibility to fight for what is important and for what is right.

These passions…my faith, my daughters, my advocacy, and seizing the moments that take my breath away define me and, I’m convinced, have brought me this far with my battle with lung cancer.  I didn’t appreciate any of it as much as I should have…until lung cancer.