Luisella Garlick
In 2019, after two years of misdiagnosed symptoms—including debilitating pelvic joint pain and persistent breathing difficulties—Luisella’s life changed overnight. She had always been a healthy and active individual, so when she one day developed excruciating pain in her leg and sacroiliac joint where she could hardly walk, she knew something was off. She pushed her doctor for a CT scan, even though the doctor assured her it was likely osteoarthritis. “But the next day, I was told I had Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer that had already spread to my brain and pelvic bones, and had only months to live,” she recalls. The shock of the diagnosis was compounded by the realization that earlier detection might have altered her prognosis. “If it had been caught two years earlier, it might have been removable in the lung,” she reflects, expressing frustration over delayed action.
Luisella emphasizes the importance of timely diagnosis. “Women’s complaints aren’t always menopause-related. If you feel like something is off, you know your body the best, so make sure your voice gets heard,” she asserts, urging others to advocate for themselves when symptoms persist.
A Trial of Hope
Despite the bleak outlook, Luisella found a lifeline through a clinical trial at BC Cancer. Thanks to her oncologist, a quick genetic test determined that her cancer’s biomarker matched the requirements for a drug trial involving osimertinib, a targeted therapy drug that treats her genetic mutation. Ever since she took her first pill on November 6, 2019, she has remained on the treatment over 5 years later.
Luckily, her treatment results have been remarkable. Within weeks, the drug eradicated her brain metastases. Though the cancer remains in her lungs, it has been stable for the past five years. “It’s not gone, but it hasn’t grown. That’s a miracle in itself,” she says with gratitude.
While osimertinib has been life-saving, it hasn’t come without a cost. Luisella recalls the initial weeks of treatment vividly. “I started the medication in November 2019, and by December, I had blood clots in my lungs,” she says. This was just one of many side effects she endured, including nausea, persistent diarrhea, gastrointestinal issues, weight loss, and debilitating fatigue. However despite it all, she remains pragmatic: “For what I’ve got, I’m doing okay. I can’t do what I used to—like golfing or biking—but I walk a lot. It’s good for my body and mind.”
For what I’ve got, I’m doing okay. I can’t do what I used to—like golfing or biking—but I do what I can. My disease is stable, which I’m very lucky for. Don’t lose hope. Take it one day at a time, trust in your treatment, and lean on your medical team and loved ones for support. A quick diagnosis and the right care can make all the difference. “
Navigating Life with Cancer
Living on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia presents logistical difficulties for her care, which requires ferry trips to Vancouver every three months for her hospital appointments. Yet, she remains steadfast. “My disease is stable, which I’m very lucky for. My oncologist tells me, ‘Let’s not worry about what’s next; let’s focus on now.’”
Having found a treatment that works for her and keeping her disease at bay, Luisella is happy to be able to get back to pursuing hobbies in her spare time. She even self-published her first book, The Capizzi Madonna, chronicling her family’s history and honouring their role as WWII partisans in Italy. Though the demands of cancer have slowed her writing, she still finds solace in creative pursuits, gardening, and keeping active.
Looking Ahead
As Luisella marks five years since her diagnosis, she remains hopeful for the future. “Here’s to another five years,” she says. A passionate advocate for early diagnosis, she urges others to trust their instincts and push for thorough investigations. “If something feels wrong, don’t stop until you get answers,” she advises.
Her advice to patients newly diagnosed with lung cancer? “Don’t lose hope. Take it one day at a time, trust in your treatment, and lean on your medical team and loved ones for support. A quick diagnosis and the right care can make all the difference.”
Luisella’s journey is a testament to the advances in cancer research and the power of perseverance. “I’m so thankful for BC Cancer and AstraZeneca,” she says. “They’ve given me time I never thought I’d have.”
