She Refuses To Be Knocked Down! One woman’s strategy for thriving with lung cancer

Hosts: Hildy Grossman with Jordan Rich co-host Guests: Heather Smith Heather Smith was only 34 when she was diagnosed, simply by accident, with lung cancer. It had already spread to other areas of her body. After experiencing this frightening curve ball, she was grateful that biomarker testing revealed that she was ALK+. Knowing this genetic mutation, she could be treated with targeted therapies that specifically aim at this genetic mutation. Heather discusses her diagnosis, the course the disease has taken and the challenges she continues to face. Once her disease progressed, she developed seizures, and after one of the seizures, she fell onto her concrete patio and was hospitalized. While hospitalized, she resolved to not be taken down by her circumstances. “I didn’t want to merely survive my cancer diagnosis. No! I wanted to thrive with cancer.” Heather got up from being knocked down by her lung cancer diagnosis, more determined than ever. She became a life coach. She creatively decided to share what she’s learned, to help other lung cancer patients face adversities. Heather is empowered by knowing: “I’m living my best life as a kick a** cancer thriver!” Her message is powerful for all of us. Do not to take threats lying down!