Stage IV lung cancer from symptoms to diagnosis | Jaymie shares the beginning of her cancer story.

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Welcome to Chronic Love, a supportive space for people with chronic illness. I’m Robin, a psychologist in New York City navigating the fallout of a breast cancer diagnosis some years in, and I’m on a personal journey to connect with others who have also faced life challenges in the wake of chronic illness. Together with the generous people you are about to meet, we welcome you into our discussions.

I just remember feeling like, what did I do? How is it that this became my story? I never smoked, never used hard drugs, and lived what I believed was a careful, healthy life. I couldn’t understand why this was happening to me.

To explain how I came to understand the severity of my illness, I have to go back to the beginning. My diagnosis process was complicated and unexpected.

In April 2018, I developed a wheeze. At first, it only happened at night when I lay down to sleep. It was mild and would go away. Over time, it became more frequent and began occurring during daily activities—on the subway, at work, at home. I tried to find explanations, thinking it might be allergies, environmental factors, or something related to the HVAC system.

When I caught a cold and the illness resolved but the wheeze remained, I began to worry. Like many people, I searched online and found suggestions like bronchitis, which seemed manageable. I eventually went to a doctor for evaluation.

The doctor performed a breathing test, which came back inconclusive. I was given an inhaler and told to return in two weeks. When the inhaler didn’t help, I followed up, but instead of further testing, I was given a cough suppressant and sent home. No imaging was ordered at that time.

I continued living my life, though I began to notice additional symptoms. I also started kickboxing, a high-intensity activity, and I assumed my shortness of breath and cough were due to exercise. Over time, I experienced back pain and increasing difficulty breathing, but I continued to attribute these symptoms to physical activity.

The turning point came when I was on a treadmill with my partner. I could only run a short distance before I felt unable to breathe. It wasn’t normal exertion—it felt like I wasn’t getting enough oxygen. That moment made me realize something was seriously wrong.

I sought a second opinion, but due to scheduling delays, I couldn’t get an appointment for several months. When I finally saw a new doctor in December, he immediately ordered a chest X-ray, something I had not previously received.

After the X-ray, his reaction changed everything. He explained that my entire left lung was filled with fluid. I was shocked and confused, as I still felt relatively okay. He recommended immediate hospitalization.

I was admitted and had a chest tube inserted, during which approximately two and a half liters of fluid were drained from my chest. Initially, I was told the fluid was benign, but later tests revealed malignancy. This confirmed that the condition was cancer.

Further testing was performed, including a biopsy, though the first attempt did not provide useful results. Eventually, I was diagnosed with lung cancer. The situation had progressed significantly, and I was told I had a serious condition requiring treatment.

At first, the diagnosis felt confusing and overwhelming. I had been told the situation was manageable, but later I learned that it was more advanced than initially explained. I experienced strong emotional reactions, including shock and fear, as the reality of the diagnosis became clear.

Shortly after, I began experiencing shortness of breath again and returned to the hospital. It was during this visit that I was informed my condition was stage IV cancer. This was delivered in a very casual way, which made the news even more difficult to process.

I felt devastated and overwhelmed, questioning how this could happen. I had not engaged in behaviors typically associated with cancer risk, and I struggled to understand why I had developed such an advanced illness.

My diagnosis included an ALK-positive mutation, which influenced my treatment plan. This meant that there was no traditional cure, but the condition could be managed with targeted therapy. I was prescribed medication to control the cancer and reduce tumor growth.

I take medication daily, with doses in the morning and evening. Over time, the treatment has reduced cancer activity. Tumors in certain areas have disappeared, and fluid buildup has decreased. Currently, the primary tumor remains in my lung, and treatment continues to manage it.

My health is monitored through scans and by observing symptoms. Changes such as fluid buildup or pain may indicate that the treatment is no longer working, so ongoing evaluation is essential.

Today, I feel relatively normal. In some ways, I even forget that I have cancer because of how stable my condition has become. I am grateful for this sense of normalcy, even though I recognize that not everyone with chronic illness has the same experience.

I also recognize the importance of acknowledging the experiences of others who may be facing more severe or advanced stages of illness. Everyone’s journey is different, and each path deserves understanding and respect.

For me, the ability to live, manage my condition, and sometimes forget about it is something I deeply appreciate. It allows me to continue moving forward with my life while still managing my health.

If you are watching and relating to this, know that you are not alone. You are never alone in this journey. Until next time, sending love. If this has been helpful, you are welcome to engage, connect, and reach out through the available platforms to share your experience or simply say hello.