A Teacher's Reluctant Journey to Diagnosis

Aurora Lucas, a 32-year-old teacher from Chicago, faced a life-changing reality when she realized her chronic cough and chest pain weren't just side effects of stress from moving— they were symptoms of stage three lung cancer. Despite her persistent health issues, she hesitated to seek medical attention, attributing her symptoms to fatigue from relocating and her demanding teaching schedule.

The Warning Signs Ignored

Beginning in August 2021, as she settled into her new home, Lucas experienced discomfort but brushed it off as temporary. Even after visiting a doctor who dismissed her symptoms, telling her to simply drink hot water with honey, she continued to suffer. "I could barely finish my sentences without coughing, and my fatigue was overwhelming," she recalled.

Students and Colleagues Come to the Rescue

Realizing her declining health, her concerned students and colleagues urged her to get a second opinion. Following multiple trips to the emergency room, where her symptoms worsened, Lucas finally received the definitive testing she needed: a PET scan.

The Shocking Diagnosis

On December 2021, the results arrived—three tumors the size of limes in her lungs, marking a diagnosis of stage 3A lung cancer. The reality hit hard; more than 226,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer annually in the U.S., and the survival rate for her stage is only about 36%.

Fighting Back with Treatment

After the grim diagnosis, Lucas began treatment in January 2022, undergoing two rounds of chemotherapy followed by targeted therapy pills. "I opted out of surgery; the targeted therapy has allowed me to live a fairly normal life," she stated, expressing relief that the tumors had started to shrink.

Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead

Lucas's journey serves as a potent reminder: never dismiss persistent health symptoms. Thanks to her students' encouragement, she now receives regular check-ups and scans every four months, facing her diagnosis with resilience and determination. "I was restless for answers, and now I fight for my health, one day at a time," she concluded.