I was diagnosed with EGFR exon 19 in 2018. According to my research chemist friends, the Exon number identifies the particular protein molecule that has mutated. We truly live in amazing times! After my lung cancer metastasized to my brain, Tagrisso was prescribed for me in late 2020.

I'm still working and in an AstraZeneca program where our household demonstrates we pay at least 10% of our net income on medical expenses. Pretty much every medical-related expense counts, even dental work. Even if this particular program is not an option for you, there are others. Definitely talk to your Oncologist about paying for Tagrisso. Almost no one can afford this medication, or any of the other new, targeted medications, without some sort of assistance.

And I get a brain MRI every 3 months since the surgery. I think I'm up to 11 or so by now. When I first went in, I felt a bit claustrophobic. I find that closing my eyes makes it OK. It's always the same "song", so I almost fall asleep by now. The good part is no radiation! It's just magnets.

Best of luck with your therapy. It helps me to look at all this as another adventure!

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