David's Story

"From the beginning, my wife Margaret and I were looking at all the possibilities for my treatment... We were interested in the clinical trials right away."

David, Wilmot, NH

Treated for: Lung Cancer
Received treatment by: Norris Cotton Cancer Center's Comprehensive Thoracic Oncology Program in Lebanon and through outreach at New London Hospital

"I hadn’t smoked in 22 years when I was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in 2007. I had been short of breath, and it hurt when I breathed. I went to New London Hospital and had a CT scan and chest x-ray. They sent me to Norris Cotton Cancer Center, and I was admitted and stayed for five days.

From the beginning, my wife Margaret [pictured at top with David] and I were looking at all the possibilities for my treatment. When my medical oncologist, Dr. Konstantin Dragnev, outlined my treatment options, including a clinical trial, we were interested in the clinical trials right away.

We talked with Sara Simeone, the research nurse who coordinates the care of patients on the lung cancer clinical trials. She talked to us about two clinical trials that were open at the time. The drug being tested in the trial we chose appeared to have fewer side effects.

Sara made sure we understood what was involved with the trial—the types of drugs, the schedule of treatments, the possible side effects—before we agreed to participate. I started my treatment right after that. And now that I’m in the clinical trial, I still see Sara regularly. She checks in with me every time I have chemotherapy and is my go-to person when I have a problem related to my treatment. For example, after my first treatment I found that I had nausea and felt lousy. Sara arranged for me to get fluids at a local hospital.

Everyone has been wonderful. But Sara’s been terrific."