Stephen Huff was just 29 years old and finishing up his first year as a teacher when he started experiencing some changes to his health. His career playing college and professional baseball had recently ended and he thought the weight gain and shortness of breath he was experiencing were standard parts of transitioning into a “normal” job and life. Stephen lived with this shortness of breath for over a year until it got bad enough to send him to a clinic. They diagnosed him with bronchitis and prescribed antibiotics.
Stephen suspected that it was more than bronchitis and went to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist a few weeks later who discovered a hard nodule above his right collarbone. After a few more diagnostic tests proved inconclusive, Stephen had a CT scan which showed cancer in his chest, abdomen, neck, and pelvis. Further testing revealed he had stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer, a shocking diagnosis for someone who was otherwise young, healthy, and active.
The first bit of encouraging news came when Stephen found out he had ALK+ lung cancer and would be treated with a targeted therapy in pill form. He took it twice a day for 57 months – with very few side effects – until it stopped working in 2022. At that point Stephen started on another ALK+ targeted therapy and he is once again doing well.
Living with Lung Cancer
Stephen’s strong response to treatment allowed him and his wife to consider starting a family. Early after his diagnosis, Stephen’s oncologist suggested that he think about planning for a future family, since after treatment started, he would no longer be able to conceive naturally. Even though starting a family was the last thing on his mind at the time, Stephen and his wife decided to pursue this option – something he is incredibly grateful for now.
After two years of stable scans and slowly getting life back to “normal,” the Huffs decided to start their family. They welcomed their son into the world through IVF. He is now three years old and is the light of their lives.
Why Stephen Loves Being a Father
When asked about fatherhood, Stephen said that being a father is one of the most fulfilling experiences of his life. “There’s just so much to love about it!” From watching his son grow and develop into a unique person to seeing the world through his curious and innocent eyes to how he laughs and plays – it’s truly a blessing to be a parent. But what Stephen loves most is the connection and bond he shares with his son. “It’s a love that’s hard to put into words, but it’s all-encompassing and life changing.”
Parenting with Lung Cancer
“Living with lung cancer has definitely made me more appreciative of the time I have with my family,” says Stephen. It reminded him to be present and to make the most of every moment. “I’ve learned to cherish the little things and to create memories that will last a lifetime. I’ve also become more open and vulnerable with my child, sharing my thoughts and feelings more freely and encouraging him to do the same. It’s important to me that he knows how much I love him and that he has a safe space to express himself.”
Stephen’s Advice
“If there are other young fathers or would-be fathers who are also dealing with a lung cancer diagnosis, my heart goes out to you. It’s not easy to face such a difficult situation, but I want you to know that you’re not alone. From one father to another, my advice is to take things one step at a time. It can be overwhelming to think about the future, but focusing on the present moment can help. Take care of yourself both physically and emotionally, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it. Most importantly, savor every moment you have with your loved ones. Time is precious, and it’s important to make the most of it, especially when dealing with something as challenging as a cancer diagnosis.”
When it comes to facing a diagnosis like lung cancer, Stephen finds that it’s crucial to hold onto hope and positivity, even when things seem bleak. “I won’t lie, it’s not always easy, but I’ve found that keeping a sense of humor and finding reasons to laugh can be incredibly healing for both me and my family.” No matter how tough things get, he still finds moments of joy and love amidst the struggle. “So, to anyone going through a similar situation, I would encourage you to hold onto hope, stay positive and find ways to laugh whenever you can.”
Fathers like Stephen are diagnosed with lung cancer every day. At GO2 for Lung Cancer, we are working tirelessly to figure out why younger people like Stephen are developing lung cancer. Honor a father in your life with a gift to help us confront lung cancer on every front, every day, for everyone.
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