Cathy’s Story: Lung Cancer Survivor Finds Strength, Support at East Jefferson General Hospital

At 59, Cathy Smith has found new meaning in life after a long and difficult journey through lung cancer. A devoted mom to two grown children, she shares her home with a 10-pound rescue Chihuahua and enjoys the simple joys of creating and connecting with others. Cathy works in the fabric section of a local Mardi Gras store, where she helps customers bring their ideas to life.

“If you need fabric for a costume or an umbrella for a graduation, I’ll cut it for you,” she said with a smile. Her passion for arts and crafts goes back to childhood. “I’ve always loved making things with my hands,” she said. “So, working with fabric every day feels like it was meant for me.”

That same creativity and determination she pours into her work became her lifeline when she faced her toughest challenge yet — a stage 3 lung cancer diagnosis. With the support of her care team at East Jefferson General Hospital, including thoracic oncologist Mark Sides, MD, and radiation oncologist Audrey Dang, MD, Cathy fought through treatment and ultimately reached remission.

Recognizing the Warning Signs

Cathy’s story began in 2022, when she started feeling unnaturally tired.
“I knew something wasn’t right,” she recalled. “I’d been a heavy smoker for years, but even before my diagnosis, I quit because my body just didn’t feel right. I was getting constant headaches, losing weight—about 40 pounds in a few months—and battling recurring UTIs. I was always at the doctor or ER, taking antibiotics and steroids, but nothing helped.”

Despite multiple doctor visits for recurring symptoms, Cathy’s condition persisted. That’s when David Newsome, MD, her primary care physician at East Jefferson General Hospital, decided to take a deeper look. “He said, ‘We need to run more tests,’” Cathy said. “And that’s when they found the tumor.”

A CT scan revealed a tumor on the right side of her lung—one that appeared dangerously close to her heart and lymph nodes. When the biopsy confirmed stage 3 lung cancer, Cathy was stunned.

“It was like a punch in the gut,” she said. “You start thinking, I’m too young for this. I still have things I want to do. But I told myself right then, I was going to fight it.”

Finding the Right Oncology Team

The early months of Cathy’s treatment were filled with uncertainty. She met with several oncologists before finding the right fit for her care. “Every doctor had their own approach,” she said. “It took some time to find the one whose style and communication clicked with me. You have to advocate for yourself.”

Her persistence paid off when she met Dr. Sides, a thoracic oncologist specializing exclusively in lung cancer. “I wish I had Dr. Sides from the beginning,” Cathy said. “He’s incredible—he takes the time to explain everything. The first time I met him, he pulled up my scan right there on the screen and said, ‘Let me show you what’s going on.’ No one had ever done that before.”

Dr. Sides reviewed her case and decided to take a more aggressive approach. Cathy had already been receiving Keytruda, an immunotherapy treatment designed to help the body’s immune system fight cancer. But Dr. Sides recommended adding radiation therapy to target the tumor more directly.

“He said, ‘You’re making progress, but I want to go after this full force,’” Cathy recalled. “And I trusted him completely.”

Treatment and Care at East Jefferson General Hospital

In April 2025, Cathy began daily radiation treatments with Dr. Dang at the Cancer Center at East Jefferson General Hospital. “Both of my doctors were wonderful,” she said. “Dr. Sides and Dr. Dang worked together on my plan, and they were always upfront about what to expect.”

For 30 straight days, Cathy underwent radiation while continuing her Keytruda infusions. She arranged her work schedule around treatment, determined to keep moving forward. “I was lucky,” she said. “I didn’t experience severe side effects like some people do. I got tired—really tired—but I kept going.

Cathy added, “My boss at the fabric store was wonderful and let me take my treatment days off, which helped so much. Having that kind of understanding made it easier to focus on getting better.”

Not every part of Cathy’s journey was smooth. While she tolerated her treatments better than many, she still faced her share of challenges along the way.

During radiation, she developed skin irritation from the targeted areas, something she hadn’t anticipated. “They mark you with tiny tattoo dots so the lasers hit the exact same spots each time,” she explained. “I didn’t realize how sensitive my skin would get. It wasn’t severe, but it was uncomfortable.” She used medicated creams and followed her care team’s guidance to manage the irritation.

In addition, she underwent gallbladder surgery midway through treatment. “It was a crazy time,” Cathy said. “I was in pain, in and out of the hospital, and still trying to stay strong.” Through it all, her care team remained in close contact, coordinating her treatments and checking in daily during her recovery.

What sustained Cathy through treatment was her faith and the steadfast support of her family. Her daughter, a nurse, helped manage her care, while her son kept her laughing. “My kids tell me I’m just too ornery to give up,” she said with a smile.

Even on her hardest days, Cathy drew strength from prayer and the people around her. “When I was exhausted, I leaned on my support team—my friends, my family, my coworkers,” she said. “They were my cheerleaders. That’s what got me through.”

In Remission and Rebuilding Strength

On September 9, 2025, Cathy completed treatment and celebrated by ringing the bell. “The team gathered everyone around and started clapping,” she said. “I was laughing like a little schoolgirl. It was one of the happiest moments of my life.”

Now in remission, Cathy is part of the Cancer Survivorship Program at East Jefferson General Hospital, where her care includes regular follow-up scans and ongoing support to monitor her recovery. She continues routine check-ins with Dr. Sides, who she says is as vigilant as ever. “He tells me, ‘You’re free and clear right now, and we’re going to keep it that way,’” Cathy said. “That’s why I love him—he doesn’t waste time and he doesn’t let anything slip by.”

At her most recent visit, Dr. Sides noticed a slight irregularity in her liver levels during routine blood work. “He said, ‘It’s probably nothing to worry about, but just to be safe, I’m referring you to a hepatologist,’” Cathy explained. “He’s always looking out for me. He really is thorough and keeps his patients’ best interests at heart.”

Back at work, Cathy is regaining her energy and strength.

“Before, I couldn’t even lift the big bolts of fabric at the store,” she said. “Now I can again. I do get tired, but I’m getting stronger each day. It’s a slow recovery, but I’m getting there.”

Her Message: Lean on Faith, Family, and Support

Before her diagnosis, Cathy had already taken a big step toward better health by quitting smoking in 2022. “You have to want it for yourself,” she said. “No patch, no gum—I just put the cigarettes down cold turkey. It was hard but I had to do it. When I learned I had lung cancer, I was so glad I quit when I did.”

Her advice to others is simple but powerful: don’t wait to make changes, and don’t go through it alone. “Get a good support team—family, friends, coworkers, anyone who can lift you up,” Cathy said. “And talk to your social worker at the cancer center. There are programs that can help financially and emotionally. The stress can take a toll on your health, so reach out early.”

Today, Cathy focuses on living each day fully—whether that means creating something beautiful, helping a customer at the fabric counter, or cuddling her little Chihuahua at home. “I’m just grateful to be here,” she said. “Every day is a blessing.”

Reflecting on her journey, Cathy remains thankful for the care she received. “I would recommend East Jefferson to anyone,” she said. “They were thorough, compassionate, and truly cared. I had doctors checking on me every day, follow-up calls after I went home—it made all the difference.”

To learn more about the Cancer Center at East Jefferson General Hospital, click here: Cancer Care & Oncology Metairie, LA | East Jefferson General Hospital