Navigating Cancer: A Week with My Brother in San Diego

This past week, I spent time in beautiful San Diego. But this wasn’t a vacation filled with rest and relaxation—it was a week dedicated to supporting my brother as he continues his battle with lung cancer. 

Despite the circumstances, there is a lot to be grateful for. My brother has had tremendous success with his treatment. His lung mass, which once measured between 6.5 cm to 7 cm, has now shrunk to between 1 cm and 1.9 cm, depending on whether you look at the CT or PET scan results. This progress is nothing short of incredible.

This week was supposed to include another round of chemotherapy, but due to some ongoing side effects, his medical team decided to pause the treatment. Instead, our focus shifted to the next steps in his journey.

We met with his oncologist, who proposed surgery as the next course of action. The goal: to remove the remaining tumor and hopefully get him to a no-disease state. The idea of surgery brought a mix of emotions—hope, anxiety, and a desperate wish for this to be the turning point in his fight.

Then, we met with the surgeon. While he confirmed that surgery is an option, his demeanor was not as encouraging as we had hoped. He didn’t seem enthusiastic about proceeding, and that left us with even more questions. What are the risks? What are the chances of long-term success? Are there alternative paths we should consider?

Next steps: He is scheduled for a bronchoscopy to confirm there is no cancer in his right lung. If the biopsy comes back negative, we will discuss with the surgeon the possibility of a lobectomy. If the biopsy shows cancer in the right lung, we will discuss radiation. I thought chemo would be the hard part, but I feel this is the make-or-break part of his treatment. 

Please keep him in your prayers as he navigates this next part of healing. I will continue to keep us all updated.

For anyone walking a similar path—whether as a patient, caregiver, or loved one—know that you are not alone. The road is tough, but the love and support we share make all the difference.