A non-smoker with a clean family history, a nagging cough that lingered for years seemed like a pesky winter bug or hayfever, or perhaps a travel cough. Treated with antibiotics and dismissed as minor annoyances, these coughs masked a hidden battle brewing inside Angeline.
In January 2019, a routine health check surprised even Angeline. “They told me I had the heart of a teenager!” and “above average lung functions” she laughs. But the surprise came with a twist – a recommendation for a CT scan. While on a family trip to Perth, the scan revealed blockages in her lungs. Advised to repeat the scan in 3-6 months, Angeline continued life as usual. However, May 2019 brought a more urgent turn. A follow-up scan led to a quick succession of a PET scan and a biopsy.
“Going into the biopsy, lung cancer wasn’t even a thought,” Angeline admits. “I felt invincible.” She remembers connecting with the doctor before the procedure, “He said, ‘Can I pray for you?’ That kindness stuck with me.” The answer came later, a single word that shattered her world – “Adenocarcinoma.”
