Lung cancer survivor finds care, support and connection at UT MD Anderson
April 01, 2026
When Daniel West was diagnosed with lung cancer in December 2022, he was shocked. Not only had he quit smoking in 2006, but he was fit, active and deeply committed to living a healthy life. Lung cancer felt impossible to accept as part of his story.
Daniel had lost his mother to breast cancer and his grandfather to lung cancer, so he knew how important it was to get the best treatment. The Houston native chose UT MD Anderson because of its reputation for cutting-edge research and cancer care.
Daniel’s lung cancer diagnosis
Daniel had no symptoms leading up to his lung cancer diagnosis. A routine heart scan revealed two nodules on his middle and lower right lung in October 2022.
His primary care doctor referred him to a specialist who did more scans and scheduled a bronchoscopy to biopsy the nodules.
The biopsy revealed that Daniel had early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. He was 52.
Daniel was referred to a local surgeon who wanted to remove the cancerous nodule in his middle right lung lobe.
“But I still had another nodule in my lung,” says Daniel. “We didn’t feel completely comfortable with the treatment. So, my husband, John, and I decided to get a second opinion at UT MD Anderson.”
Daniel hadn’t realized how easy it was to make an appointment. He requested an appointment online and got a response the same day.
Undergoing lung cancer treatment at UT MD Anderson
On Jan. 17, 2023, Daniel had his first appointment with thoracic oncologist Carl Gay, M.D., Ph.D., thoracic surgeon Wayne Hofstetter, M.D., and other members of his care team.
“At the other hospital, we only spoke with the surgeon. We didn’t get to speak with an oncologist,” recalls Daniel. “We liked that at UT MD Anderson, we were able to talk to all my doctors in the beginning. Lung cancer is such a serious diagnosis, so I liked that they had a plan for my treatment.”
On Feb. 6, Hofstetter performed a robotic lobectomy to remove Daniel’s middle right lobe as well as 14 lymph nodes for biopsy. After three of the lymph nodes were found to be cancerous, doctors updated his diagnosis from early-stage to stage IIB.
Because the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes, Daniel’s care team recommended adjuvant chemotherapy. He completed four cycles of chemotherapy from March through June 2023. He rang the bell at UT MD Anderson to mark the end of his treatment.
Doctors continue to monitor the nodule on Daniel’s lower right lung as well as several other nodules. None of them has grown. And for more than two years since the winter of 2023, Daniel’s scans have shown no evidence of active disease.
Previous biomarker testing showed that the cancerous tumor was EGFR positive. This type of lung cancer is often associated with people who don’t smoke and is caused by a mutation in the EGFR gene. It can be treated with targeted therapy.
Daniel began taking the targeted therapy drug osimertinib in May 2023 to help prevent recurrence. It’s a pill he will take daily until June 2026.
Managing lung cancer treatment side effects
Daniel took 4 ½ months off from work to focus on his treatment.
He says the chemotherapy regimen was challenging, and he developed neuropathy, sciatica, stomach ulcers and deep vein thrombosis in his left leg. His doctors switched him to a different chemotherapy regimen that would cause fewer side effects.
The targeted therapy initially caused fatigue, muscle cramps, dry skin and nails, and mouth sores. Daniel also had pulmonary embolisms in November 2023 and was treated for a partially collapsed lung this past August.
“Communication is very important, so I let my care team know as soon as I experience anything out of the ordinary,” says Daniel.
He asked for a referral to the Supportive Care Center, which helped him manage treatment side effects, as did palliative care and the Integrative Medicine Center.
“Palliative care has greatly enhanced my survivorship through pain management, lifestyle coaching and mental health support, along with helpful integrative therapies like yoga and breathing classes,” he says.
Daniel still has some side effects that pop up now and then, but he addresses them right away.
“For example, if I have muscle cramps, I drink more water,” he says. “I listen to my body a lot more.”
Grateful for community and support
Since his diagnosis, Daniel has become actively involved with several organizations to advocate for lung cancer research funding, early detection and affordable screening options.
“A cancer diagnosis can be so isolating, and advocacy work gets me out of my head,” says Daniel.
He’s also found a community among other cancer survivors through his involvement with a lung cancer nonprofit as well as UT MD Anderson’s Patient and Family Advisor Program.
“It’s been very empowering to share my story,” he says. “And I enjoy hearing other survivors’ stories. We all support one another.”
Daniel is grateful for his support system, which is anchored by John, as well as his sister, Tammy, who lives close to Houston. He’s also supported by other family members and friends.
Daniel is thankful for his UT MD Anderson care team’s support, too.
“It was crucial for me to trust my doctor and feel respected, acknowledged and heard,” says Daniel. “My team at UT MD Anderson, including Dr. Hofstetter, Dr. Gay, Dr. Grosu, Wendi Lee and Kayla Smolensky, has provided exceptional care. We could not feel more welcomed and supported.”
Today, Daniel is enjoying traveling with John and has been focusing even more on his health. His pulmonologist Horiana Grosu, M.D., encouraged him to get back to his bootcamp workouts after he recovered from treatment for his partially collapsed lung.
“She told me, ‘We want you to live the life you want to live. If something comes up again in your lung, we will address it then,’” he says.
Daniel gets checkups and scans at UT MD Anderson every three months. He takes his medications, does what his doctors tell him to do and stays present.
“I’m thankful for the treatment I’ve received,” he says. I have complete trust in my doctors, and I know that I’m in the best place I can be.”
Request an appointment at UT MD Anderson online or call 1-877-632-6789.