Wes was diagnosed on September 8, 2017. He had experienced a cough for almost one year. After seeing an abundant of medical providers who initially believed his cough was due to allergies or COPD, Wes and I were able to convince one of his providers to order a low-dose CT scan of his chest and lungs.
Wes’ PET scan showed that the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes leaving him with a stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis. Wes received two treatments of IV chemotherapy (Carpoplatin, Alimta and Keytruda). Finally, the ROS1 positive biopsy came back positive. Wes started on entrectinib 600mg. Since that time, he has had many connective tissue, muscle and tendon issues. They led to some unintended surgeries: bilateral knee replacement, 3 back surgeries and a bicep tendon rupture repair. He has reduced his entrectinib dose to 200mg for almost 2 years with stable CT and PET scans. Numbness and tingling has been a side effect, as well as a loss of taste which has resolved with the dose reduction.
A new medication and clinical trial has offered Wes, Melissa and their five children additional time. We know now that time is precious, limited and finite.
Melissa said, “It was that moment when you literally gasp to inhale the air that was abruptly taken from you. At age 51, after serving in the military, working in the public service industry as a corrections officer, and most importantly getting married and having children (five to be exact), Wes was diagnosed with lung cancer. Wes never smoked, but we learned quickly that lung cancer doesn’t care if you smoked or not. If you have lungs, you can get lung cancer.”