In the last two weeks, my family’s future flashed before our eyes when we found out that my mother-in-law was diagnosed with stage IV of lung cancer at the age 64. This woman is the pillar of this family - with 6 children & their spouses, 8 grandchildren and husband our world grew so dark. Although she is my husband’s mother, I am sad to know that this could happen and I am also filled with my husband and sibling’s sadness and their pain process.

My mother-in-law, I would describe as a heroin. An immigrant from Vietnam on a boat with her sixth child as young as 1 month old, the whole family escaped persecution taking on a chance of a better life in America. A better life in America, they did accomplish. With one income and no English (til this day) my mother and father-in-law raised a healthy and successful team of children putting four out of six children through college. She managed to feed the whole family and provide them a good life knowing of no complaints, triumphs or regrets.

When this disease blindsided this family, we were in a state of shock - how could this happen to a woman who is so lively, outgoing and loves to live life filled with traveling and dining out? But reality is, it comes like the speed of light and we didn’t even know what hit us.

There is no routine checkup to screen for lung cancer for people her age - besides the coughing that she complained about for the past couple of years, there should’ve been a preventative screening completed - yes, she was as healthy as could be on the outside and exhibited none of the typical symptoms, but to have caught this when the cancer in its early stages could have saved her - could have saved this family. Don’t ignore the small little things (a cough) it’s telling you something.

As we continue to educate ourselves about this disease and prepare for the next stages, my mother-in-law has now become a statistic and I am now a true supporter in standing up to the fight of cancer and research.