No Obvious Risk. Samantha’s Stage 2 EGFR+ Lung Cancer Diagnosis
When Samantha was diagnosed with EGFR+ stage 2 lung cancer in 2022, it changed her life in an instant. She describes it as living two separate lives: the life she had before her cancer diagnosis and the one she lives now.
Interviewed by: Nikki Murphy
Edited by: Chris Sanchez
Samantha’s stage 2 lung cancer story started after she recovered from COVID-19 in October 2022. She kept experiencing breathlessness, hoarseness, sinus infections, and fatigue. Doctors said it was long COVID, but she thought it might be something else. She spent the next few months seeing plenty of doctors and trying a barrage of cures such as inhalers, steroids, and antibiotics. But nothing worked. In May 2023, she had an X-ray that revealed a lesion on her right lung. She wasn’t familiar with medical terms and thought a lesion was just a minor injury.
When her follow-ups were delayed, Samantha took matters into her own hands and had a private CT scan. Thanks to this proactive step, doctors discovered a tumor. A quick series of referrals took her to a hospital in Cork, Ireland, for a biopsy. Complications during this biopsy revealed that the tumor was located dangerously close to a major artery. She underwent surgery to remove the top and middle lobes of her right lung, along with the surrounding lymph nodes and an afflicted airway.
After this surgery, Samantha was diagnosed with grade 3, stage 2 lung cancer with an EGFR mutation. The diagnosis overwhelmed her — especially since she was a non-smoker. But she faced it head on. Radiation and chemotherapy weren’t viable options for her, and so she joined a clinical trial focusing on a particular targeted therapy. She was both hopeful and honored to be the first post-operative patient in Ireland to try this treatment, which is typically reserved for stage 4 cases.
Today, Samantha struggles with side effects from the treatment for her stage 2 lung cancer, including mouth ulcers, fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, and digestive issues. But she remains grateful, as she knows full well how fortunate she is to be able to access this treatment. Her medical team monitors her regularly and tracks her progress, including conducting blood tests every few months and scans every six months.
Samantha admits that mentally coping with the loss of her old self is tough. To process these emotions, she attends counseling sessions, where she finds solace in speaking openly and honestly about the emotional impact of her experience without burdening her loved ones.
Samantha’s experience has taught her the importance of early detection. She also urges others to trust their instincts and to insist on having thorough medical evaluations, even when it feels uncomfortable to do so. Her message is clear: you need to be your own health advocate.
Check out Samantha’s video to learn about:
- How listening to her body led to a life-saving lung cancer diagnosis.
- The signs and symptoms of lung cancer that can be easily overlooked.
- What it’s like being on targeted therapy for stage 2 lung cancer.
- Why she believes focusing on mental health has been key while navigating cancer.
- Samantha’s message: Speak up, push for answers, and advocate for your health.
- Name:
- Samantha V.
- Age at Diagnosis:
- 47
- Diagnosis:
- Lung Cancer
- Mutation:
- EGFR
- Staging:
- Stage 2
- Grade:
- Grade 3
- Symptoms:
- Breathlessness
- Hoarseness
- Sinus infections
- Fatigue
- Pain in left side
- Treatments:
- Clinical trial: targeted therapy
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.
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Samantha V., EGFR+ Lung Cancer, Stage 2, Grade 3
Symptoms: Breathlessness, hoarseness, sinus infections, fatigue, pain in left side
Treatments: Clinical trial (targeted therapy)
Natasha L., Lung Cancer, EGFR+, Stage 4
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Jeff S., Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with EGFR exon 19 Deletion, Stage 4
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Jill F., Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with EGFR Exon 19 Deletion, Stage 1A
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Filipe P., Non-Small Cell, EGFR 19del, Stage 4 (Metastatic)
Symptom: Headache
Treatments: Surgery (to remove brain metastasis), cryoablation (to remove kidney metastasis), targeted therapy, SBRT, bispecific antibody