Finishing Chemo with Stage 4 Lung Cancer: Facing Hope and Uncertainty

On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 30-year-old Clara Mae Cirk's life changed drastically following a stage 4 diagnosis of lung cancer.

After her diagnosis, she spent five days in the hospital, where she received two blood transfusions over two days. Now, just six months later, Clara has undergone two biopsies, five rounds of brain radiation, six rounds of chemotherapy and immunotherapy (Keytruda [pembrolizumab]), two rounds of Avastin (bevacizumab), and one additional round of immunotherapy, with a lifetime of treatment ahead. She has also had four hospital stays, ten blood transfusions, and one platelet infusion.

In a candid interview with CURE, Clara shares her thoughts and concerns after completing her sixth and final round of chemotherapy. She explained that, despite finishing chemotherapy, she must continue visiting her cancer center regularly for immunotherapy, creating feelings of uncertainty.

You can follow Clara and her journey on TikTok and Instagram @C_Cirks. On these platforms, she openly answers questions about her diagnosis and treatment, shares updates on her condition, and creates a safe space for others with cancer to have an honest dialogue about their disease.

Transcript

You recently completed your last round of chemotherapy. How did it feel to reach that milestone as someone with stage 4 disease, and what emotions came with ringing the bell?

I did six rounds of chemo, and they didn't have a bell, so I was pretty bummed about that. The nurses all signed a certificate for me with their names, which was nice. I took a picture with the certificate, and then I got a video of me when they de-accessed my port for the last time for chemo. I was just like, “Yay!” That was exciting and really emotional for me, because I had been looking forward to that day for so long. I had just had a 10-day hospital stay prior to that, so I was just really excited to get it done and over with. Then I ended up back in the hospital after my last round of chemo, which was also kind of a bummer.

I think for me, it's hard because that day should have felt like the end of treatment. But since I'm stage four, I will be on immunotherapy indefinitely, likely for the rest of my life. That is kind of difficult for me to wrap my head around, because I still have to go back to my cancer center and get the infusion, and still have my port accessed every three weeks. I think that's kind of hard, balancing “Am I done with treatment?” or, “Does this qualify as treatment still, with immunotherapy forever?”

The word ‘survivor’ doesn't really resonate with me, honestly. I have a hard time using that word because I probably will never feel that sense of survivorship, I guess. It's hard for me to see other survivors. Everyone gets their hair back and they look normal; they kind of go back to reality. I feel like I'll never get there. That is really overwhelming to me and really upsetting and just a lot of emotions to work through, knowing that I'll probably never get back to my old self or my normal.

So, it's just a lot to wrap my head around.

This piece reflects the author’s personal experience and perspective. For medical advice, please consult your health care provider.

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