Doctors Thought I Was Going To Die - Eugenia | Stage 4 Lung Cancer | The Patient Story

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If I went home, I knew I was going to die. Sometimes you have to make hard decisions to get to where you need to go. My name is Eugenia Horan and I am 51 years old. I am from Syracuse, New York, and I have been an artist my whole life because I like making things that are a little unusual.

When I was 46, I was diagnosed with poorly differentiated non-small cell lung cancer. It began around Christmas of 2018 when I woke up sick with what felt like a cold or flu. I eventually recovered from that illness, but not completely. I began noticing tightness in my chest and small amounts of blood when I coughed. I searched online, but the information was not reassuring.

One night, things became more alarming. I was coughing up a significant amount of blood without coughing. I initially thought it might be a nosebleed, but the amount concerned me. I took a picture and decided I needed to see a doctor. I contacted a nurse who was a friend of mine and scheduled an appointment.

On February 15, 2019, I visited my doctor and explained my symptoms, including chest tightness, weight loss, and a high heart rate of around 150 beats per minute. The most concerning symptom was the blood I was coughing up. I assumed it might be anxiety, but I knew I needed medical evaluation. Blood tests were ordered, and I felt I had done everything I could at that point.

As we drove home, I received a call. The blood test results showed an abnormal D-dimer, which can indicate issues with blood clotting. My doctor suspected a pulmonary embolism and asked me to return immediately for imaging. Later that day, I underwent a scan.

Soon after, I was referred to a thoracic surgeon, and further tests suggested the possibility of cancer. Despite this, I struggled to accept the situation and delayed some follow-up testing, including PET scans. I was also dealing with panic disorder, which made the process even more difficult.

Eventually, I underwent a telehealth consultation. I was told that I had a five-centimeter mass in the upper part of my right lung and another mass affecting my main bronchus, restricting airflow. Surgery was proposed to remove parts of my lung, but it would not fully address the cancer. I felt that the proposed treatments were not curative, and I was determined to find a solution that would allow me to live.

I sought additional medical opinions and was eventually admitted for further evaluation. A biopsy was performed, but it did not provide useful tissue. Later, I learned that the biopsy had been taken from the wrong area, which delayed diagnosis and treatment. At that point, the tumor had grown and was affecting my airway.

My oncologist recommended starting chemotherapy immediately. I was hesitant, but I was told that without treatment, I might have only a month to live, while treatment could extend that to a few months. Given the severity of my condition and lack of alternatives, I decided to proceed.

At that time, I was extremely weak and had lost a significant amount of weight. A hospital physician provided encouragement and support, helping me feel that I still had a chance. With the support of my family and medical team, I began chemotherapy, starting with lower doses due to concerns about the tumor’s location and risk.

Treatment began in my hospital room, and I started to regain some appetite and strength. I completed several cycles of chemotherapy, but complications arose, including episodes of respiratory failure. The tumor had grown significantly and was obstructing much of my trachea, causing bleeding and further complications.

Due to the complexity of my condition, I was transferred to a higher-level care center. There, I underwent multiple treatments, including internal radiation, external radiation, repeated cryotherapy, and CyberKnife procedures. These combined treatments ultimately succeeded in removing the tumor after several days of intensive intervention.

Despite progress, new complications emerged. I was diagnosed with a bowel blockage that required emergency intervention. During this time, I lost the ability to walk, speak, and care for myself independently. I was eventually informed that the blockage was cancer-related, and my condition was classified as stage four while I was in the ICU.

During my ICU stay, I was also evaluated for additional treatment options. I was identified as a strong candidate for a therapy called Keytruda, an immunotherapy drug. Although I was initially placed on hospice care due to my condition, I remained determined to continue fighting.

I returned to my oncologist and requested to try Keytruda. Despite initial concerns about whether I could tolerate it, I insisted. I began treatment on August 29, 2019.

The treatment involved a series of infusions, and over time, I began to improve. I view this as a turning point in my recovery. My experience showed me the importance of persistence, advocacy, and refusing to give up.

Throughout my journey, I have held onto hope and continued to fight. I challenge the idea that a diagnosis defines a person’s future. Even when told that a condition is incurable or terminal, outcomes can change. I am living proof that there is still possibility beyond what is initially expected.