From Chest Pain to Cancer: How Medical Advocacy Changed My Brother’s Treatment

When my brother was diagnosed with EGFR+ non-small cell lung cancer, asking the right questions and advocating for his care changed his entire treatment plan. Learn why self-advocacy and support teams are critical in today’s complex healthcare system.

How a Chest X-Ray Changed Everything

It’s been a minute since I last blogged, but life—and more specifically, my brother Josh’s cancer journey—brought me back here. It all started with chest pain that sent him to a cardiologist. After a full cardiac workup, he was given a clean bill of health. But just before wrapping up the visit, the cardiologist said something that changed everything: “Let’s do a chest X-ray, just to be thorough.”

That chest X-ray revealed a suspicious spot. A follow-up CT scan confirmed a lung mass with smaller nodules. After a bronchoscopy, the diagnosis was clear: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with an EGFR mutation.

The Diagnosis That Reshaped Our Lives

Thankfully, Josh responded exceptionally well to targeted therapy and chemotherapy. The cancer shrank significantly. That progress sparked a conversation about surgery. It seemed like a logical next step. But a week before the operation, a routine scan picked up something unexpected—a blood clot. Josh had no symptoms. No pain. No swelling. But that single finding changed the course of his care.

What We Learned About Treatment Options

Here’s the thing: Josh was never sure he wanted surgery. The clot gave him—and us—a chance to step back and reevaluate. We began researching alternatives, like Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) and even the “watch and wait” approach, especially since there was uncertainty about whether the remaining tumor was active.

Josh didn’t hesitate to bring these up with his oncologist, who referred him to a radiation oncologist for more answers. That single question opened up new possibilities and led to a completely different treatment discussion.

This proved a critical truth: asking questions can change everything.

The quality of your care often depends on the quality of your questions.

When you ask, you gain clarity, confidence, and options you may not have known existed.

Why You Must Advocate—and Build a Team That Will Too

Our research also uncovered something potentially life-saving: patients with blood clots need to be on blood thinners for a while before surgery. We raised this with the oncology team. Despite initial hesitation, the doctor agreed to postpone surgery for 30 days to allow for clot management.

That decision happened because Josh advocated for himself, and we supported him in it. And that brings me to one of the most important points:

You must be your own advocate—or have someone in your corner who can speak up for you.

Healthcare moves fast, and sometimes in directions you may not fully understand or agree with. Don’t be afraid to slow it down. Don’t be afraid to say, I need more information, or I’m not ready. Your voice has power. Use it.

Just as important, make sure you have a support team—family, friends, caregivers—who know your wishes and will respect them, especially in emergencies. If you can’t speak for yourself, your team should know how to carry your voice forward.

(You can check out my upcoming guide on building your healthcare support team for more tips.)

The Bigger Picture: You’re Not Alone in This

Josh’s story isn’t unique. Every day, people find themselves overwhelmed by complicated diagnoses, treatment decisions, and conflicting opinions. Many don’t realize they have the right to pause, reflect, ask questions, and explore alternatives.

That’s what this blog is for—to remind you that you have choices. You have a voice. You deserve to understand your care and have a say in what happens next.

Advocacy isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Whether you’re the patient or the support system, be prepared to ask, research, challenge, and clarify.

Let’s Talk: What’s Your Story?

Have you ever had to make a major medical decision under pressure? What helped you through it?

Share your story in the comments, or send me a message if you want to talk more privately. Your voice could help someone else feel less alone and more empowered in their healthcare journey.

                                                                                                        Joc ❤️