Stage 4 lung cancer was misdiagnosed as indigestion

Anita, a 59-year-old grandma, was misdiagnosed with indigestion for months before finding out she had EGFR+ lung cancer.

I’m Anita, a 59-year-old who loves spending time with my family, especially my grandchildren, gardening, cycling, and trips in our camper van. My lung cancer diagnosis came after months of being told I had indigestion or stomach issues. Twice I called my doctor with chest pain and shortness of breath, but my lungs were never checked. It wasn’t until I went to accident and emergency that an X-ray revealed a massive pleural effusion in my left lung, leading to my Stage 4 EGFR+ lung cancer diagnosis.

I never thought I would live to see the birth of my fourth grandchild or my 60th birthday, but both are happening this December, and I feel incredibly grateful. In many ways, I appreciate life more now than I did before my diagnosis, and I’ve learned to live each day to the fullest, even with lung cancer.