Side effects can be painful, frustrating, and deeply misunderstood—especially when they’re invisible. In this episode, host Annabelle Gurwitch and advocate Colette Smith share candid stories about surgery recovery, TKI toxicity, anxiety, and the everyday challenges patients rarely talk about.

Learn how to navigate tough conversations with doctors, what to do when side effects interrupt your life, and why community support is essential. Whether you're newly diagnosed, in long-term survivorship, or supporting someone you love, this episode offers practical insight, validation, and hope.

Annabelle Gurwitch – Host, Author, and Patient Advocate

Visit her website: annabellegurwitch.com | Follow her on Facebook

Colette Smith – Colette Smith is a dynamic lung cancer survivor, patient advocate, and community health champion who transformed her 2015 Stage 1A adenocarcinoma diagnosis into a powerful platform for change. As a never-smoker diagnosed through persistent self-advocacy, Colette's mission is to emphasize the importance of patient empowerment and early detection.

Show Notes - https://lcfamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AMA-Side-Effects-Show-Notes.pdf

Transcript - https://lcfamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AMA-Side-Effects-Transcript.pdf

Watch Video- https://youtu.be/n1_IQF3ho7Y 

How am I supposed to afford this? It's the question many lung cancer patients are afraid to ask out loud.

In our premiere episode, host Annabelle Gurwitch tackles the financial toxicity of cancer care—the hidden costs beyond medical bills, insurance battles, medical debt, and where to find help when you can't afford treatment.

Financial toxicity is one of the most difficult and overlooked challenges in cancer care. Annabelle and advocate Colette Smith share powerful stories about navigating insurance roadblocks, medical debt, and employment discrimination.

Learn practical strategies to manage out-of-pocket costs, appeal denials, and access trusted resources. Whether you are a patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional, this conversation sheds light on the true cost of living with lung cancer and how knowledge can turn financial fear into empowerment.

Annabelle Gurwitch – Host, Author, and Patient Advocate

Visit her website: annabellegurwitch.com | Follow her on Facebook

Colette Smith is a dynamic lung cancer survivor, patient advocate, and community health champion who transformed her 2015 Stage 1A adenocarcinoma diagnosis into a powerful platform for change. As a never-smoker diagnosed through persistent self-advocacy, Colette's mission is to emphasize the importance of patient empowerment and early detection.

Show Notes - https://lcfamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AMA-Financial-Toxicity-Show-Notes.pdf

Transcript - https://lcfamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AMA-Financial-Toxicity-Transcript.pdf

Watch Video - https://youtu.be/SfLl_jnvH8U