DeeDee’s Lung Cancer Journey

Most of you probably know that my mom (DeeDee Poulos Schmitt) has been battling non-small cell carcinoma/adenocarcinoma AKA lung cancer for nearly two years now. About a year and a half ago, she underwent a lower lobe wedge resection of the right lung. Unfortunately about a week later, we found that the margins weren’t cleared and she had to have a second surgery that time around. She didn’t need any additional treatment at that time- but it was a long recovery. Her care team has been keeping a close eye on things, and after a recent PET scan which resulted in another bronchoscopy with needle aspiration, a malignant tumor was found hiding in the same area as the last one. 🫁 This time around, her care team has decided that a total lower lobectomy of the right lung is necessary. This means she is losing a significant portion of that right lung to hopefully result in getting rid of this cancer. This will be a more difficult recovery for her, but her care team is feeling optimistic that she is stronger this time around. After the surgery and recovery, she will begin a year of immunotherapy. This means infusions once every 3 weeks x12 months. Dad has been working in WI on a long work contract, and this is the first time in her life that mom is basically living “alone”. He is taking some time to be with her, but will have to return to work because he will be losing pay taking time off. She’s going to need a lot of support, so I’m just looking to get our village together to help in any way possible. ♥️