Mother with Stage 4 Lung Cancer Discovers Meaning Through Community

Heather Quintana Suchan, a mother living with stage 4 lung cancer, has continued working in the music industry throughout her diagnosis. With 15 years of experience, particularly in the growing merchandise space, she takes pride in her accomplishments and professional identity.

After learning she had cancer, she reached out to colleagues and clients for guidance and support. Many in the music industry are involved in charitable efforts and cancer philanthropy, and that community helped her identify resources and build a support system.

She has maintained her job during treatment, finding that focusing on creative work such as merchandise design provides stability and a sense of normalcy. Staying engaged professionally has been a bright spot and allows her to concentrate on daily life rather than her illness. She continues attending concerts and sporting events, emphasizing that patients with lung cancer can still live full, active lives.

Transcript

You work in the music industry, so how did you navigate the decision to go public with your diagnosis with your colleagues and clients, and how has that community supported your advocacy?

I’ve worked in the music industry for 15 years, and that’s something I’m really proud of. I’ve had a lot of accomplishments, especially working in the merchandise space, which has become such a growing division. I’m very proud of what I do, and I feel like people know me in that space.

Working in the music industry, I’ve found there are a lot of charitable people and many who are involved in cancer philanthropy and that world. So when I found out I was sick, I started calling around and saying, “Hey, I need a support system. I was just diagnosed with cancer, and I know you’re familiar with cancer facilities.” Doing that research with people in my music industry community really helped my journey. I was able to talk to them about what was going on, and they’ve supported me in a huge way.

I’ve worked the entire time I’ve been sick. As someone with stage 4 lung cancer, I didn’t quit my job — I kept going. Because I enjoy my work and I’m proud of what I do, it’s been a bright spot for me. Being able to focus on making T-shirts instead of worrying about how sick I may or may not feel has helped. I’ve just been trying to keep things as normal as possible, not get too far ahead of myself and take it one day at a time.

I would say my work and the music industry have really supported me through all of this. And while I wouldn’t say there’s a “cool” look to cancer, I’m a very normal person. I live a full life. I still go to concerts, baseball games and football games. I want people to know you can still have a very full life, and I don’t let cancer define me.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

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