My name is Trish Hom. Patricia Hom. Dr. Patricia Hom. I am an MD/MPH. I had been coughing for six months during my OBGYN residency. Two weeks before I graduated residency my children’s father committed suicide. I was very sick at that time, and it was the loneliest plane ride to go and get my kids.
I was coughing. I was studying for my medical boards. My sons were still grieving, and I was still studying. I started to have shortness of breath the weekend before my test. Rather than going to the doctor I said, “I have to study. I’m going to prop my bed up, it’s probably sleep apnea.”
Fast forward, and I was diagnosed with lung cancer. I found out by looking at the patient portal because my doctor was not available. I saw Adenocarcinoma of the lung, bronchogenic type. I was like, “Oh my God.”
That was July 3, 2017.
That was three days after I graduated residency which meant that I only had 30 days left of insurance. I had a contract to start my new job. But after I was diagnosed, I got very sick and had to tell my work that I couldn’t start. They said, “Okay. I’m sorry to hear that. Bye.”
The chair of my department called me to the hospital and said, “We’re going to get you set up to be a patient here.” I walked out of the hospital as a doctor and rolled back in as a lung cancer patient.
Every step of the way has been a roadblock in terms of finding resources, finding help, understanding what I could get in the setting of not being eligible for a lot of things that most lung cancer patients get.
Finding My Way Forward
There was a day when I had scans and I was just so alone. My sons had left for UC Davis and UCLA. I didn’t have a partner. I didn’t have a job. I didn’t have the white coat that protected me before. I had lost everything.
Slowly I have reached out and made some connections. I bought a car. When I feel down, I just hop in my car and go driving. I need that. I need to be able to explore my city again in a new way because I’m different.
I joined an ALK+ Facebook group. I connected with Scarlett Gomez. I became a community advisory board member for her Asian-American Never-Smokers (FANS) study. I’m working on a project to create a portal to share the data and lung cancer resources with the community.
When you’re first diagnosed it’s a shock and everything is like a fog. You’re just struggling to get grounded. It took me until now and meeting other lung cancer patients, to process it all. There’s this moment where you’re like: Wait a minute, I’m not just a lung cancer patient. I’m still me. I’m still a human being. I’m still worth it even though everything is different.
Dear Trish, thank you for sharing your story. You have had so much to deal with. Thank you for your advocacy and for fighting. Sending you a very big hug.
Dear Ite, THank you so much for your your message.
love and blessings,
Trish <3
Dear Ite, Thank you for your kind message ! It warms my heart!
w love and blessings
Trish! Your story leaves me speechless on so many levels. It’s a story representing strength, tragedy, and hope. I remember when we worked at la clinica in sf and about your aspirations to become a medical doctor. You are a doer to say the least. I wish these hardships did not affect you as you prepared yourself to serve the world In such a profound way, and with so much compassion. You are an amazing survivor! Wishing you happiness, success, and peace.
Finding your way forward indeed. I last hugged you on a campus parking lot at UCSF. You were preparing to start medical school, your sons were still boys. I was rooting for you then, and though the years have passed, I am still in your corner in heart and spirit. The purpose and intention you bring to all you do is remarkable. Abrazos.
Dear Trish, what a horrific story. You are an amazing person. As my son and daughter and I personally prepare emotionally for the upcoming tenth anniversary since my husband’s death from lung cancer, I think of what I can do to remember him and help individuals like you in your fight against this monster! I would like to organize a 5k in my home town and will keep the current passion level high and work towards that goal.
We did a candlelight vigil for Lung Cancer Alliance shortly after Gary’s death and we found that extremely therapeutic for us and so many others. God willing, the 5k will occur too. As I’m sure you personally know, as time marches on we find much to be thankful for, but the grief comes back in waves of triggers that need to heal once again.
For you and your boys, me and my son, daughter and grandchildren and a world full of families, friends, survivors, those lung cancer patients, victims, and all the health care providers fighting this dreaded disease daily, we need closure!
My thoughts, prayers and love are with you, Trish, and I hope some day soon we can all come together to celebrate our dream of finding the cure for Lung Cancer.
Dear Gaby!
Thank you for your love and lovely message! I am on the opposite end! I have taken back control of my life, health care and have finally come to feel true love for myself after all of these years! I am over the moon happy with my choices and walk forward with my head up walking ahead. http://www.thecancerprancer.com version two is in production, the first draft has been submitted! Stay tuned! I am really confident that I can help at least a few people if not many widespread!
Sending you and your family so much love! hope we can reconnect soon! <3