My name is John Casterline and I am a US Navy Veteran. I retired from the Navy in 1986 after 21 years then retired a second time from 7-Eleven in 2006 after 21 years. Just seven days later I was diagnosed with cancer. One week later I was told it was lung cancer and a week after that I was informed that it was stage IV. I was devastated, down and out, defeated.

One week later my older son brought me out of my depressed state. He said, “this is not you. You are usually so positive, so ‘can do’.” This truly woke me up and from that moment on, I fought the cancer with everything I had. I used meditation, guided fantasies, and during both chemo and radiation I imagined 10,000 miners picking away at the cancer and carrying it away in wheelbarrows. I began juicing 5 days a week and increased my exercising. I was 64 years old and I wanted to survive for several reasons, one of which was being a part in the lives of four lovely grandchildren.

I came quickly to believe in five factors that I thought would help me survive:

  1. Choosing the right doctor. I spent significant time researching this and I didn’t just get a second opinion, I got four opinions.  For my own mental wellbeing, I wanted to have total trust in the doctor I chose.
  2. Exercise. I was always physically active, but from the very beginning of my diagnosis, I increased the amount and number of days I worked out.
  3. Nutrition. After exercising, I would juice with a variety of fruits and vegetables. For breakfast, I almost always had a half pint of fresh, organic berries. Dinner frequently included a salad and another vegetable.
  4. Tarceva. I began taking this medication in early 2007 and still take it today. Fortunately, the doctor I chose was aware of the success of this fairly new drug and recommended it.
  5. PMA (Positive Mental Attitude). I think this is the most important factor and it’s so much more than just being positive and optimistic.  I didn’t just “walk the walk” and “talk the talk,” I truly believed that I would beat the cancer.  Several days, I didn’t feel like exercising, but the PMA would “kick in” and tell me to get out that door and start walking.  Many times, when I got back from exercising, I didn’t feel like juicing, but again the PMA would urge me to do the right thing.

After four years and feeling that the lung cancer was under control, I decided that I was going to hike the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail, which begins at the border east of San Diego and ends at the Canadian border in Washington. I trained carrying 30-35 pounds up steps and ramps at a local parking garage for most of 2010. Then, in November 2010, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had surgery and radiation. The very next month, I was diagnosed with throat cancer and again had surgery and radiation. The radiation was complete in March and 42 days later at the age of 68, I began hiking the PCT.

I wrote a book about this experience titled “Lung Cancer Hike: A Hike of Hope” which was about my defeating three cancers and hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in an effort to raise awareness for lung cancer, raise funds for lung cancer research, and provide hope to many. All proceeds have been donated to fund lung cancer education, advocacy, and research.

To learn more about John’s lung cancer journey and book, visit JohnBcasterline.com.