Ashley H., Lung Cancer, ROS1+, Stage 1
Symptom:No lung cancer-specific symptoms; sudden appearance of lump on chest wallTreatment:Surgery (lobectomy)
At 38, Ashley was living a healthy, active life, balancing work and motherhood with her two young children. The last thing she expected was a diagnosis of stage 1 ROS+ non-small cell lung cancer in September 2024. Her story is one of self-advocacy, resilience, and the emotional complexities accompanying such life-altering news.
Interviewed by: Nikki MurphyEdited by: Chris Sanchez
Ashley’s experience was kicked off by the unexpected discovery of a lump on her chest wall in July 2024. Though her primary care doctor and OB-GYN diagnosed it as alipomaor a benign fatty lump, Ashley trusted her instincts and pushed for further evaluations. A series of tests, including an ultrasound and eventually a CT scan, revealed something more concerning: a lung nodule.
For a brief, terrifying moment, Ashley thought she might have metastaticsarcoma. The emotional whiplash was overwhelming. Relief came when the chest wall mass did turn out benign, but the lung nodule biopsy confirmed stage 1 ROS1 non-small celllung cancer. She was blindsided. As a nonsmoker with a healthy lifestyle, lung cancer wasn’t even on her radar. The shock was compounded by the fear of what this meant for her young children.
Ashley’s story underscores the importance ofself-advocacyin healthcare. Unsatisfied with initial recommendations, she sought second opinions, pushing for genetic testing, which is not standard for early-stage lung cancer patients. This persistence paid off when she discovered she had aROS1 gene mutation, information critical for her future health monitoring. She also connected with a ROS1 specialist, arming herself with knowledge for proactive care.
Ashley underwent alobectomyto remove the cancerous part of her lung. Recovery wasn’t easy. She candidly shares the physical pain, the mental toll, and the challenges of balancing healing with motherhood and work. The surgery left her with 30% less lung capacity, which surprisingly didn’t limit her daily activities as much as she feared.
The hardest part of her stage 1 ROS+ non-small cell lung cancer experience? Not the physical recovery, but the effects on hermental health. Ashley grappled with medical PTSD, anxiety, and survivor’s guilt, especially when she became immersed in the lung cancer community and saw others with more advanced stages. She wrestled with her emotions, thinking, “Why me?” as a healthy nonsmoker, and “Why did I get lucky to catch it early when others didn’t?”
Ashley wants others to understand that there’s no need to find a silver lining in cancer. It’s okay to feel sad, fearful, and resentful. She emphasizes the value of simply having people listen without trying to “fix” their emotions.
Watch Ashley’s video and take a deep dive into her stage 1 ROS+ non-small cell lung cancer story:
This interview has been edited for clarity and length. This is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider to make informed treatment decisions.
The views and opinions expressed in this interview do not necessarily reflect those of The Patient Story.
Share your story, too!
Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked*
Comment*
Name
Website
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Δ
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.Learn how your comment data is processed.
Originally published on The Patient Story: https://thepatientstory.com/patient-stories/lung-cancer/non-small-cell/ashley-h/
