"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." — Philippians 4: 6-7
Hi, my name is Dan Reichley. My wife Tina and I have been married for 34 years. We have four adult children and two grandchildren. I am in my 25th year of teaching at Seton Catholic High School. We have been members of Seton Catholic Parish (St. Andrew, St. Mary, Holy Family) since moving to Richmond, Indiana in 1996. I’ve been given an opportunity for spiritual growth and I am being asked to share the opportunity for spiritual growth. I was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. You can read about the diagnosis below but don't miss out on the opportunity for spiritual growth. Take time to reflect on an invitation to prayer, redemptive suffering, the great cloud of witnesses, and intercessory prayer. You can also send us a message.
8/12/26 This is Tina. I will share a little of the medical information for those that are interested. Dan had a very vague cough that began in May. In July, he had a trial of antibiotics, steroids, and inhalers, but unfortunately, none of these treatments made a significant difference.
A chest X-ray was ordered on 7/10/26 and showed an area of concern in his right lung. This led to a CT scan on 7/16, followed by a PET scan on 7/28 and a lung biopsy on 7/29. The PET scan showed some small abnormalities in the bone that raised concern for possible oligometastasis.
The lung biopsy came back positive for poorly differentiated non-small cell carcinoma. Because Dan was otherwise healthy and a nonsmoker, his doctors felt there was a good possibility that the cancer was being driven by a specific genetic mutation. The next step was to identify whether a “driver mutation” was present so that the most appropriate and targeted treatment could be started.
Our first oncology appointment at Reid Oncology was on 7/30/26. Blood testing was ordered to look for a driver mutation in the blood while we waited for the more definitive results from the lung tissue.
On 8/5/26, we received both good and bad news from the blood test. The good news was that there were not enough cancer cells circulating in the blood to detect a mutation. The bad news was that, because there were so few cancer cells, the test was unable to identify a driver mutation. So, we continued to wait for the tissue results.
On 8/7/26, we met with an OSU thoracic oncologist. At that appointment, we learned that the initial lung biopsy tissue might not have been sufficient for the additional testing needed to identify a mutation. After discussing our options, we decided to proceed with another lung biopsy.
Dan underwent his second lung biopsy on 8/12/26. Surprisingly, that same afternoon, we received some unexpected and incredibly important news: the tissue from the first biopsy was actually sufficient after all. We do believe this was a prayer answered. The testing showed that Dan has an EGFR driver mutation, which means there is a targeted and very treatable option available to him including chemo and targeted therapy with osimertinib.
After a whirlwind few weeks of uncertainty, testing, waiting, and more waiting, we finally have an answer that gives us a clear direction. We thank all of the Doctors and staff from Reid, Hancock Regional Hospital, and The James at OSU who have helped us thus far. Now, we begin the next chapter of this journey—treatment. Please continue to keep Dan in your prayers.
8/17. Thanks especially today for prayers and fasting for me and the prayer intention. The first chemo cycle at the James at OSU started today. I feel very well and hope to be at school the rest of the week.
8/18 & 8/19 Thanks for continued prayers for the Youth of Wayne County and for my health. Feeling well. There was a special Seton all-school mass today at St. Mary's Church for everyone affected by the flooding.
8/20 through 8/23. Thanks for your continued prayers for the Youth of the Wayne County area and for my health! For the past five days, I have felt some effects of the 8/17 chemo treatment. Family, friends, students, and staff have been very supportive and I know that there are many people offering prayer. Let us all continue to offer our daily sacrifices in love for God and neighbor.
But don't stop here. View the rest of the Google Site. You also have an opportunity for spiritual growth!
Some of the notes that I used to help guide me on understanding and communicating the news of lung cancer to family and friends will be shared here. The notes may be helpful for those who may be trying to understand, process and deliver difficult struggles to loved ones. Coming soon.
