High-Tech and High-Touch: A Second Chance for a Lung Cancer Patient
January 06, 2026
For Donna Rigby, a series of health scares in 2024 felt like a confusing puzzle. After surviving a car accident the previous year, she was dealing with back pain, weight loss, a mysterious rash and high blood pressure.
Then, one day, she woke up with one side of her face severely swollen and was struggling to breathe. A trip to Jersey Shore University Medical Center led to a life-changing discovery.
While treating her for what appeared to be an allergic reaction, an ER physician ordered a CT scan of her chest due to her shortness of breath. The scan revealed a tumor in Donna’s lung. The tumor turned out to be stage 2 lung cancer.
Donna, a 65-year-old former Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), was surprised, but it was not her first experience with cancer. She faced colon cancer in 2004 and says it was challenging to get this diagnosis.
“After that, I became an advocate,” she shares. “If something doesn’t feel right to me, I’m going to investigate. I was amazed that the doctor in the ER thought to do the extra step of the CT scan. That decision changed everything.”
Developing a Comprehensive Plan
The diagnosis triggered a coordinated and compassionate care plan for Donna. She was quickly connected with a comprehensive team, including Thomas L. Bauer, M.D., FACS, chair of Surgery and chief of Thoracic Surgery at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, and chair of Thoracic Surgery for the southern region, and Michael J. Levitt, M.D., FACP, HMDC, program director of the Hematology and Medical Oncology fellowship program at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
The team’s plan for Donna involved immuno-oncology, a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy to shrink the tumor. They also planned a robotic-assisted right upper lobectomy, a minimally invasive surgery, to remove it.
According to Dr. Levitt, “Using advanced immuno-oncology treatments before surgery helps your immune system recognize and fight lung tumors early. This innovative approach brings the latest breakthroughs in cancer care close to home, offering more options, better outcomes and renewed hope for every patient.”
Robotic Thoracic Surgery Offers Multiple Benefits
Donna was especially happy to hear that she was a candidate for robotic thoracic surgery. Robotic thoracic surgery allows surgeons to remove the cancerous portion of the lung through smaller incisions and less trauma to the body. This often leads to a quicker recovery time, less bleeding and reduced pain.
“Robotic surgery represents a significant leap forward in thoracic surgery. Our goal is to get patients like Donna back to work and back to their families as quickly and safely as possible,” adds Dr. Bauer.
During her treatments and preparation for surgery, Donna says Dr. Bauer and his team ensured she understood what was going on. It was a detail she didn’t take for granted.
“He gave me analogies so I could understand everything and really took his time to put my mind at ease. The way the surgeon and the oncologist came up with a plan together, I wouldn’t change anything,” she says.
A Strong Support System
Donna’s determination, coupled with the advanced procedure, allowed her to return to her role as a direct support professional for people with autism in just two months. However, she credits the human element of her care team with being just as critical as the medical technology. She found a pillar of support in her oncology nurse navigator, Kayla Petrozzo, BSN, RN-BC.
“Kayla, is my sweetheart. She sat with me and just let me cry for an hour after I got the diagnosis. She came with me to appointments. If I had a problem, she helped me solve it. And my sweet infusion nurse was amazing,” Donna shares. “To have that kind of support – both physical and mental – is incredible.”
The convenience of having all her specialists, treatments and support services under one roof was another significant benefit. “I don’t have a car, so not having to travel to different locations is a big thing for someone like me, and for people who are older than me. The team worked with me on everything,” she adds.
Encouraging People to Advocate for Themselves
After her successful surgery in December 2024 and additional immunotherapy treatments, Donna recently ‘rang the bell’ at HOPE Tower at Jersey Shore University Medical Center – a milestone she never got to celebrate after her first battle with cancer. “That is really special to me, ringing the bell,” she says.
As she closes this chapter, Donna’s message is one of resilience, trust and empowerment.
“Don’t give up. Advocate for yourself if you feel something is wrong,” she urges. “And believe in your doctors. It’s great to form a relationship and bond with them. They didn’t let me down. They’re like my family now. If I ever get diagnosed with another cancer, I already know who my team will be: HOPE Tower, second floor!”
“Our team is dedicated to building lasting relationships based on trust and respect, ensuring you always feel valued and cared for. We treat our patients, like Donna, as our family because to us, you’re more than just a name on a chart,” emphasizes Dr. Levitt.
And while Donna was a smoker for nearly 40 years before quitting in 2021, Dr. Bauer cautions that even non-smokers are at risk of lung cancer, and women are very susceptible.
“In New Jersey and for the U.S. as a whole, more women die of lung cancer than breast cancer each year – yet the topic of lung cancer prevention is never high on the list for women’s health. We see this when it comes to cancer screenings,” shares Dr. Bauer. “For instance, 85 percent of women who are eligible to receive mammograms get screened for breast cancer, while for lung cancer, that number is only 15 percent. With increased education on where to get screened for lung cancer and risk factor reduction – including smoking cessation – we can create a healthier environment for women.”
Next Steps & Resources
- Meet our experts: Michael J. Levitt, M.D. and Thomas L. Bauer, M.D.
- To make an appointment with Dr. Levitt, Dr. Bauer or a thoracic surgeon near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our thoracic surgery page for more information.
The material provided through Healthier You is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.
