My name is Marlo Palacios and I have been surviving lung cancer for over 10 years. It started off with an unusual cough that wouldn’t go away. After a few scans and a biopsy, I was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell adenocarcinoma. Several treatments were sought over the first three years to fight my cancer. This included targeted medication, a clinical trial, radiation and chemotherapy for the last five years.
I have been on the same combination of treatment for maintenance, which has been effective. Since there is no current path to a cure, the goal of treatment is to keep the cancer stable. This is remarkable considering no one, including myself, thought I would be living this long.
What has been the most important to me is the ability to maintain the same quality of life that I’d been living previous to my diagnosis with the exception of minor side effects, I am still able to do the things I love, such as traveling with my husband and son, making confections during the holidays, and spending time with my growing family. I am also able to continue working full time as a social worker.
It really does make me thankful and appreciative of everything I have. I have been involved in LUNG FORCE and the American Lung Association since 2015. Being a part of a cause that advocates for lung cancer survivors and works to fund research for new and innovative treatments is an additional reason why I remain so positive.