I was diagnosed with stage IV adenocarcinoma of the lung on September 7, 2020. There have been many times since being diagnosed that I have said to myself (and others) that I am lucky for my diagnosis. Lucky with a PD-L1 expression of 100%. Lucky that the expression meant my cancer could be treated with immunotherapy. Lucky that I have been able to live a near normal life with miniscule side effects. This is the new image of cancer treatment.

As someone participating in a senior citizen education program, fall classes began the day after my diagnosis. Drop out? No. Classes became a purposeful distraction for all that would swirl around me in the following days, weeks, and months. Cancer was not going to deter me from my educational goals. I found myself doing homework during infusions and writing papers when my side effects woke me up at 4 in the morning. Just this past month I earned my second BA with high distinction and a GPA of 3.98 from a major American university. My photo is from Virtual Commencement Day with my wife of 48 years, Kelsey. She has also been with me throughout this entire cancer journey so we are both survivors.

On my last consult in late August, I was told my lung cancer is now N.E.D. meaning I have gone from stage IV to no evidence of disease in less than one year. My advice? Celebrate the highs and don’t dwell on the lows. Keep an even keel. One step at a time.