Ashley Vasallo was diagnosed with stage 4 nonsmall cell lung cancer two years ago. Despite her diagnosis, she remains active, engaging in activities like lightweight lifting, yoga, and gardening. Ashley initially dismissed her symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing and chest pain, as stressrelated due to her demanding job as a hospice social worker and her personal life. However, after multiple visits and misdiagnoses, including asthma and pneumonia, a CT scan finally revealed her lung cancer.

In this cancer vlog, Ashley shares her journey of selfadvocacy, emphasizing the importance of trusting your body and pushing for further tests when symptoms persist. She recounts her experience navigating treatment options, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation, as well as the challenges of dealing with healthcare biases.

Thank you, Ashley, for sharing your story to help others.

#lungcancer #lungcancersymptoms #lungcancerawareness #cancerpatient #cancersurvivor #patientstories #thepatientstory #cancertreatment #cancerprevention #cancersymptoms

The Patient Story:
The Patient Story is led by a dedicated team of medical, editorial, and video experts, committed to authentically portraying the cancer patient experience. Sharing your story holds transformative power, culturally and personally. We handle each narrative with utmost care, compassion, and scientific rigor.

Our editorial process adheres to the highest journalistic standards, ensuring medically researched, vetted, and factchecked content. Backed by experienced medical professionals, we offer insights into the latest medical advancements.

Beyond patient narratives, we provide comprehensive coverage of cancer news and medical resources. From symptoms to clinical trials, insurance, finances, and support groups, we offer guidance in a humanized manner.

Chapters:
0:00 Meet Ashley
0:35 First signs of my lung cancer
3:45 I felt stereotyped and dismissed
5:33 I didn't self advocate as much as I could have
7:25 My lung cancer diagnosis
10:11 Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and side effects
14:42 The radiation to the bone was brutal
16:08 Tips for dealing with treatment side effects
18:02 The impact of cancer on my mental health
20:42 Cancer doesn't discriminate

Join Our Community:
Sign up for our FREE website: https://thepatientstory.com/
Facebook:   / thepatientstory  
Instagram:   / thepatientstory  
Twitter:   / patient_story  
TikTok:   / patientstory