Introducing Mike

In this article, Mike speaks candidly about his experience with NSCLC and finding out he has the ALK+ mutation. 

My name is Mike and I was 42 when I was diagnosed with stage 4 ALK+ lung cancer in May 2023. 

I am a husband to my wife Caz, and have two children, Joe, 11, and Amy, 9. I live an active life in which fitness is a big part, having completed a Half Iron Man, keeping fit is an important part of my job as a Police Specialist Firearms Officer. 

I first started to notice things weren't quite right when I found exercise was becoming harder and I felt like my chest was being restricted. I also had a bad back and frequent headaches. I wasn't too concerned as I had childhood asthma and assumed that I would need to review my medication and put the other symptoms down to a busy life and getting older! 

My asthma was reviewed by my GP and I tried several different inhalers and steroids, none of which made any difference. I was given a chest x-ray which was reported as clear and referred to the respiratory clinic at my local hospital only to be told they had nothing available for at least three months. Luckily we were in a position where we could afford to pay for a one-off private consultation which, after some serious persuasion from my wife, we did. I saw a consultant the following week who booked me in for several tests, one of which was a chest CT. A week later I was sitting in a room at the local NHS hospital where the doctor's words were, "You've got lung cancer, and it's inoperable". Time stopped still, it was as if it wasn't real. This can't be happening to me, to us, this is something you hear about and sympathise with but don't ever expect it to happen to you. I can't remember what else the doctor said, I guess it was a shock. It turned out they'd found a large mass in my lower right lung which was restricting the airflow to the point of near collapse.  

Following future scans it turned out the cancer had already spread to my hip, spine and brain which explained the other symptoms! I was pumped full of steroids to reduce the swelling in my brain which had the side effects of ruining the already slim chances of getting any sleep and packing on weight despite having no appetite. I also started a course of radiotherapy to ease the symptoms in my lungs and hip. This period was about survival and keeping things as normal for our kids as we could. We'd had to tell them about the cancer, I'd been admitted to the hospital early on due to the brain mets while they got on top of the swelling but I was determined to keep things as normal as I could for them. 

No matter how rubbish I felt I'd make sure I always did the school run. I also walked and walked and walked. My wife and I walked for miles every day. I think it was cathartic for both of us just walking and talking, hoping for a future but not daring to believe one would be possible given the diagnosis I'd received. This began to change when I got the results of my biopsy and I was officially diagnosed with ALK+ NSCLC and prescribed a targeted therapy called Alectinib. It felt like there was some hope, these magic little pills would give me the chance to live again. I know they are not forever but they've given me a chance, a chance to fight back, a chance to raise the profile of this cruel disease which is so indiscriminate and maybe the chance to help others on their journey. 

It wasn't all plain sailing, I haven't been able to drive since my diagnosis due to the brain mets which is hugely impactful but I'm hoping this may change soon if I can get 12 months’ worth of good scans. I've also suffered far more with fatigue since starting treatment but I've learnt to listen to my body and rest when I need to. The regular scans, blood tests and dreaded appointments with my consultant are draining. Having only been to the hospital a handful of times before this diagnosis, I am now practically on first-name terms with the entire oncology department! 

After a few months off work, I've been able to return, albeit in a desk-based role. I'll never be able to return to do what I did before my diagnosis which initially was hard to take. Whilst being back at work was a milestone for me and something I pushed for I felt out of place. Watching others do what I did before my diagnosis was hard to take and a constant reminder of what it had taken from me. I decided to move to a different role, doing something I had no experience in, and treating this as a challenge. Just as I intend to treat this illness, as a challenge to be faced and one that I truly think is going to be conquerable one day. This is why research is so important. My wife is my biggest advocate for me, constantly reading about the latest research and advances in treatment and making sure my doctors are on the ball. 

I'm also lucky to be surrounded by incredible friends, one of whom is behind Saint 7’s, a men's rugby 7's team who are linked with ALK+ International and have already begun to raise money for this fantastic charity.

Life won't be the same again for me or my family, but I'm nothing if not stubborn. I'm back in the gym and starting to run again and more determined than ever to be here for my wife and kids and to live a full and happy life.

Mike