Hello my name is Katrena Rockeymore I am 48 years old. In 2015 I was diagnosed with stage 4 Lung Cancer that metastasized to my brain (also stage 4). I was completely in shock because I came to the hospital thinking that I was having a heart attack. The test was a quick chest x-ray and revealed I had 3/4 of my lungs and chest cavity filled with fluid. The ER doctor couldn't believe that I was walking around and talking and breathing just fine. They had to rush me in the OR to drain some fluid out of me, and this is when I found out that it was not pneumonia that they thought I had, it was lung cancer and stage 4! At that point, I already knew I wanted to fight for my lifeand that I did, now I'm here 5 years later.  

I would like people to know that Lung Cancer is very common, I would like to tell everyone about my experience with lung cancer. It was horrible! This is something that I would never even thought I could have & having stage 4 really scared me, I thought I was going to die. I thank the wonderful team of doctors I had, who found a way to save my life.I also thank my husband (my boyfriend at the time) for the emotional support because I had none, all of my family lives in Wisconsin.I also had my wonderful cancer caseworker and the support from the Gilda's Club. I hope to inspire others by getting my story out and letting people know pre-screening is the best early detection to saving your life. It's so vital and important because I truly believe there are so many people that are walking around and they don't even know that time is ticking. I do not want anyone to go through what I went through. So please hear me loud and clear it'svery important once again to get tested. I truly hope this inspired a lot of people and especially if you know cancer runs in your family. There is help out there but it's up to you. You're the only one that can go get that help.

Sincerely Katrena Rockeymore.