Yesterday, while at an appointment at Brenda Kay Hair Specialties the shop owner, Brenda, asked me about my cancer.

I’m very comfortable and open about my disease; sharing my story is my way of being an advocate. I touched on taking an oral targeted therapy, alectinib, that will soon be approved by the FDA. Confusion – all over her face.

“Oh, the pill I am taking is offered through a clinical trial.  It should be approved soon.  I am actually going to Florida next week to talk about my life on this drug.  I am a huge fan…it works great.”

Brenda asked, “Really?  How do you know it is so good?”

I started to chuckle and say, “I’m able to see you!”

When the laughter died down between us, she gave me a look, the look of I’m still waiting for an answer.

“I have stage 4 lung cancer.  To be out and about, going and doing, laughing about loosing my hair, is a big deal.  Who knows where I’d be if I didn’t have this pill.”

“Wait.  You have stage 4…. stage 4 lung cancer???”

Exactly.  That reaction is precisely how I know that this drug is working.