pLOG

2025-10-22

An 18-Year Marathon Against Lung Cancer: A Journey of Perseverance with Family

“The year I turned fifty, my world turned upside down.” Looking back on those days, Mr. Zeng’s voice still carries a note of emotion. That was the year he left his longtime employer to start his own business. However, after undergoing eye surgery, a routine chest X-ray unexpectedly revealed an abnormal shadow in his lungs. The subsequent diagnosis marked the beginning of his eighteen-year battle against lung cancer.

Treatment as a Marathon: Facing Challenge After Challenge

From the very first surgery to remove the tumor, it felt as if his illness was racing against time. Over the following years, he underwent multiple operations—traditional open-chest surgery, robotic minimally invasive procedures, and even one major open-chest surgery after severe bleeding caused by a damaged blood vessel during an operation. Each surgery brought immense pain and risk, yet Mr. Zeng insisted on getting out of bed and walking by the second day after surgery. “Pain is pain, but moving helps drain the fluid from my chest,” he would say.

Beyond surgical treatments, one experience left a deep impression on him: the indescribable side effects of a certain medication. While on a business trip in Beijing, the drug triggered depressive symptoms, and he briefly had thoughts of ending his life. Only later, after his doctor’s explanation, did he understand it was a side effect of the medication. Even so, he never stopped moving forward. As the disease progressed, he also faced brain metastases, which were urgently managed with steroids to control intracranial pressure, followed by oral targeted therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery (Gamma Knife), successfully shrinking the lesions and maintaining stability.

“Over these eighteen years, few people have undergone as many surgeries as I have and still managed to keep working,” he said, a faint smile on his face.

The Support of Family: The Strongest Pillar of Strength

Throughout this journey, “presence” has been the constant keyword. Mrs. Zeng, who has a medical background, became her husband’s “project manager”: scheduling appointments, preparing medical records, discussing treatment plans with doctors, and even tracking and communicating results when he chose not to review them himself. She candidly admitted, “It feels as if I’m the patient, but this is the role a family member can play.”

His daughter has been his emotional pillar. Affectionately nicknamed “Little Heart” since childhood, she returns to Taiwan for two months each year despite working in the United States, and they speak daily across the globe. She often reminds her mother, “Dad is already doing great—if he can eat, that’s the greatest happiness.” This familial love has given Mr. Zeng the strength to keep moving forward, even during his lowest moments.

The Importance of Financial Preparedness and Patient Support Programs

Battling cancer is not only a physical and emotional ordeal but also a financial challenge. A single Da Vinci surgery or a Gamma Knife treatment can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Mr. Zeng admitted that he had a poor impression of insurance in his earlier years, but by chance, his family purchased medical coverage. “That step turned out to be a serendipitous yet crucial decision. Without this protection, the treatment costs alone could have overwhelmed our family.”

Beyond insurance, he also benefited from a Patient Support Program (PSP) offered through collaboration between pharmaceutical companies and hospitals. The program provides dedicated education, medication monitoring, and psychological support, reducing financial strain and giving the entire family professional resources to rely on. “The peace of mind that comes from not having to worry about treatment costs allows patients to focus fully on their care,” he said.

Proving “Never Give Up” Through Life

Now 68 years old, Mr. Zeng has gradually stepped back from work. Speaking about the future, he focuses on cherishing every moment with his family and each day of normal life. He said, “I’m not a model patient, because the doctors always tell me to rest more, but I’d rather keep working. For me, having goals and someone by my side is the best form of treatment.”

Eighteen years of battling cancer has written not just a medical record, but a lesson in life. Mr. Zeng’s story reminds us that in the face of illness, professional medical care, family support, and financial preparedness are all indispensable; and what truly sustains one through it all is the unwavering belief in never giving up.

Acknowledging PatientsForce Services

Because he underwent specific out-of-pocket treatments, Mr. Zeng emphasized that while professional medical care is essential, the “details of service” greatly affect patients and families. He particularly praised PatientsForce’s customer support for their prompt, efficient, and reassuring responses via phone and email. “Calls are answered within three rings, emails replied quickly, and staff clearly introduce themselves,” he noted. For patients facing frequent hospital visits and complex treatments, timely responses not only improve efficiency but also build trust and a sense of being valued.

Mr. Zeng admitted that PatientsForce’s service standards even surpassed those he demanded in his own company: “If this were my business, this level of customer service would be exemplary.” For a patient who has undergone countless surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments, timely and reliable support is essential to meeting their needs.