In Memory of Ken Giddes

Ken at ALCASE's ‘Lung Cancer: A Revolution in Care' Workshop, in Denver, CO, March 2000.

Ken Giddes of Dunwoody, Georgia, survived nearly eight years after the diagnosis of nonsmall cell lung cancer. He died January 27, 2001, surrounded by his family. We feature Ken's Story of Hope because his optimistic, energetic approach can offer continuing encouragement to many other people facing lung cancer.

Ken had a successful career with Republic Financial Corporation, which supported his development of the "Caring Ambassador" program, in which he traveled the country to meet other survivors and talk about living with lung cancer. Ken was vice chair of the ALCASE Board of Directors and an active ALCASE Phone Buddy, helping hundreds of people across the nation. Ken remains an inspiration to us all.

Ken's story of hope

Taking long walks and climbing hills in British Columbia were particularly enjoyable parts of a 1993 Labor Day vacation I took with my wife. The shortness of breath I began to experience was definitely not enjoyable. I didn,t think much about it at the time, but after we returned home, I noticed the shortness of breath was happening more frequently, particularly while running through airports, walking up stairs, and playing tennis. I thought, "Is it my heart?"

To find out what was causing the shortness of breath, my internist ran a lot of tests -- EKG, stress, blood -- and they all seemed okay. Then my internist suggested I get my lungs checked.

The first thing the radiologist did was take a chest x-ray. He excitedly explained that my shortness of breath was caused by a completely collapsed right lung! It wasn't a heart problem. I was sent immediately to the ICU unit at Northside Hospital where my lung was reinflated. However, it continued to leak, and after 2 1/2 weeks, a bronchoscopy was done. The results came back normal. Finally, my doctor suggested exploratory lung surgery. His words to me before the surgery were, "Thank goodness you don't have cancer."He was wrong! The surgery revealed a self-contained malignant tumor in the bottom lobe of my right lung. The lobe was removed, and there was no evidence of cancer anywhere else in my body. After consulting with other lung specialists throughout the country, none of whom had every heard of this type of cancer actually eating a hole right through the lung, my doctor concluded that there wasn't any need for additional treatment. Within ten days of my surgery, I was flying off to meetings and playing tennis and golf.

My doctors kept a very close watch on me: every three months I returned for an x-ray or a CT scan. Nothing. Then, seventeen months after my initial surgery, a CT scan showed several small nodules in my left lung. A needle biopsy was negative, just fatty tissue. In April, a follow-up CT scan was done, more nodules had developed. Another needle biopsy was done, and again it came back negative. I felt great and left the next day for Myrtle Beach where I played 108 holes of golf in four days.

I saw my doctor again following my trip. He was still not satisfied with the biopsy results and said he hoped I would agree to a small exploratory surgery procedure. I agreed, and on May 10th, I had what was going to be another uneventful outpatient procedure. I told my children to continue with their normal routines. My wife said she didn't need to have anyone with her while she waited for the surgery to be performed because we were led to believe that the nodules were probably nothing more than a fungus. Wrong, wrong, wrong! My poor wife was alone in a waiting room packed full of people when the surgeon came out and told her it was lung cancer. Again! She was totally devastated. She immediately sought out our minister. My wife, my daughter, and my minister were waiting for me when I returned from the recovery room.

The day following my surgery, I was introduced to my oncologist by my pulmonologist. It was only then that the reality of my situation really hit me. I felt really low. I thought, "What did I do to deserve this cruel disease?" That afternoon a dear friend visited me in the hospital, and we shared a bedside prayer meeting. After that prayer meeting, it dawned on me that I didn't have cancer because I did something wrong in my life, but because God had a plan for me. The cancer was part of the plan to give me a more spiritual faith.

Ken met outgoing President Bill Clinton in early October 2000. He was in Washington, DC for meetings to discuss lung cancer issues.

I got a second opinion -- I believe everyone who is told they have cancer should get a second opinion -- before deciding on what treatment I would receive. I believed so strongly that the prayers I had received from my church, my friends, and my family had possibly eliminated my cancer that I insisted on another CT scan before I started chemotherapy. The scan showed that the nodules were still there, but had not grown. I still believe in the power of prayer and that my cancer will be cured or contained by prayer. But, I know that my life is in God's plan and that I have to have patience.

I have finished my chemotherapy now. My doctor can't find any sign of cancer in my body. I still work at least eight hours a day, travel throughout the country, play a little golf, and enjoy my boat at the lake. I have learned not to leave my health to chance, however. If something seems abnormal, I get it checked. If my lung had not collapsed in 1993, I would not have known about the lung cancer until it was too late.

For me, being sick was a blessing. Having lung cancer has made me stop and enjoy each day because they are so precious. It has also brought me closer to God, because no matter what happens, I am still in God's hands and my life is in God's plan. I have to have patience. My timetable is not God's timetable.

I believe I am in a win-win situation. My lung cancer is either going into remission or I am going to God is home. Everyone has to pass away some day. It is the timing of passing that we fear. No matter what my outcome, it is up to me to perform with 100% effort, both in working with my doctors and with my family to do everything possible to ensure that my lung cancer will not spread. I must maintain a spiritual outlook on life. With my confidence in my doctors, my treatment, my positive attitudes, and prayers, I know everything will come out right.