Small Cell Lung Cancer Survivor

Until Mike Knecht was diagnosed with Stage IIIA small cell lung cancer (SCLC) at 65, he had never seen the inside of an emergency room. Despite the shock, he faced treatment with determination and a positive attitude. A good family friend who has ties to the cancer community led him to GO2 for Lung Cancer, which offered empowering information and programs. He now volunteers as a phone buddy at GO2 for Lung Cancer to give back and support others with SCLC.

While I was on vacation in California with my wife and daughter, I hiked to the top of a hill. I struggled to breathe and was very fatigued, which was not normal for me. After returning home, my wife became alarmed when I could barely get out of bed and into a chair. She knew something was terribly wrong and insisted we go to the emergency room immediately.

Initial bloodwork revealed I was low on sodium. I also had an X-ray to rule out pneumonia, and it showed something on my lung. The doctor was very concerned and stressed to us that I needed to see a specialist right away. He called ahead to a larger hospital across the street and told them to expect me. Even though he didn’t say it, I thought I had cancer. 

When I arrived, several medical professionals were waiting for me. They were very concerned about my low sodium level and wanted it to be higher before they could do a biopsy. I spent a week in intensive care while they worked to get my sodium levels up. I decided to face the future with a positive attitude. I willed myself to get better.

Once my sodium was at an acceptable level, I had the biopsy, which determined I had Stage IIIA small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The doctors considered it treatable, and they called an oncologist who had a bed waiting for me at a cancer hospital that was 45 minutes away. I was admitted immediately so I could start treatment right away. 

The first chemotherapy treatment started that night. However, it was short lived because I had an allergic reaction. A nurse who wasn’t even part of my ward happened to be walking by my room and discovered that I wasn’t breathing. Days after I recovered, I asked this nurse, who had 22 years of experience, if she could turn around so I could see her wings. She saved my life that day, and I am truly grateful. 

Later that night, after being prepped for a different chemotherapy drug, I broke out in hives. They stopped that medication and gave me medicine to relieve the hives. The pharmacist suspected both reactions were due to the solvent given before the chemotherapy. He made a special solvent for me, and I was then able to tolerate the chemotherapy. We then added radiation therapy, which I opted to do twice a day for 15 days. Fortunately, I did not have any side effects from either. 

After finishing both chemotherapy and radiation therapy, my doctor talked with me about having additional radiation therapy to my brain to prevent metastasis. After consulting a friend and one of my daughters, who has medical experience, I chose to have it. 

For the next five months, I felt good. But after travelling at Thanksgiving, I had the same symptom of not being able to drag myself out of bed. A trip to the hospital showed my sodium level was dropping. A PET and CT revealed my cancer had come back. 

Despite the cancer returning, I was optimistic because my doctor said I now qualified for immunotherapy. The treatment worked on the cancer but caused body aches and a loss of feeling and strength in my hands. My doctor prescribed physical therapy, which helped me regain strength in my hands.

Although I kept a positive attitude, even after the recurrence, I didn’t know how hard my wife took the news. It brought a new level of stress and anxiety that was difficult for her to manage. She reached out to a therapist, and it has helped her. It made me realize that cancer doesn’t just affect the person who has it.

Support was vital throughout treatment. Family, church associates and friends have sent cards and called to check on me. I found GO2 for Lung Cancer through a family friend who has ties in the cancer community. Their website has a wealth of information, and they paired me with a phone buddy for more support. After I finished treatment, I became a phone buddy for others, too. It is rewarding to help others, especially people with SCLC. 

After my most recent scan, my doctor said my cancer was considered stable. I know it’s possible for my SCLC to progress, but my doctor assures me that if it does, we have more treatment options to try. Because of that, I’ve never been without hope. 

Empower Yourself in 3 Steps

1. Reach out to GO2 for Lung Cancer for valuable information and support.
2. Do what you have to do to keep a good attitude.
3. When first diagnosed, adopt a positive mentality or as I think of it, a rallying cry. I adopted a slogan that guides me: “Enjoy every sandwich!”