OK, it’s a geek thing, a reference to Star Wars.  I love space. I love science. I love science fiction.  But the concept of Star Wars has an even bigger meaning to me now as a metastatic cancer patient.

Star Wars represents a future — a dream — where one person can make a difference, where medicine is advanced enough to replace damaged body parts, where people work together to accomplish the impossible. That’s a hopeful vision for someone with advanced cancer.

Maybe lung cancer research will get the funding it needs to work miracles.  Maybe researchers will find a new treatment that works better for me before my current treatment fails.   Maybe a simple early detection method or (dare I say it?) a cure for lung cancer will arise in my lifetime.

My lung tumor was discovered two years ago today. I need all the power of the fourth I can get.