Diagnosed With Lung Cancer

Surgery Options

The type of lung cancer AJ had was rare. The best way to treat it involved removing the nodule and part of the affected lung. His local hospital only had one option for this, an open thoracotomy. The surgeons would have to make a large incision in AJ's chest and then break his ribs so they could get to his lungs. This would require a long recovery period.

"It was recommended I travel to Cleveland Clinic," said AJ, "as they are able to do it with VATS." VATS stands for Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery. This only requires a few small incisions and has a shorter recovery time.



Obstacles to Care...

It wasn't long before AJ ran into yet another problem. Cleveland Clinic is approximately 200 miles away from his home. It takes four hours just to drive one way. He wasn't in any shape to drive that far. Luckily, his father stepped in to help with driving. But a problem still remained: the high costs of gas.

"I don't have much money right now," said AJ. He works part-time at a church and runs a small business, but his main source of income is SSI. The expenses associated with driving to distant care had become an obstacle. How would AJ receive life-saving surgery at Cleveland Clinic?

...Now Cleared

That was when AJ found out about Mercy Medical Angels. Mercy Medical Angels sent AJ gas cards. Now, he didn't have to worry about paying for gas. He could put all his focus on healing - and that would make for a swifter recovery after surgery.

The obstacle to care had been cleared. AJ was on the way to a life without lung cancer.



"Thank You So Much For The Help..."

When asked how Mercy Medical Angels helped him, AJ's answer spills over with gratitude and hope. "If it weren't for Mercy Medical Angels sending me a gas card," said AJ, "I wouldn't have been able to get the surgery I needed at Cleveland Clinic."

"Thank you so much for the help. I can't say it enough times - thank you so much!!!"