Penny Bockman appreciates Decorah's close knit community, as she receives support while fighting lung cancer

Penny's family L-R: Matthew, Joseph, Kayla, Nicole, Carter, Sam, Penny, and Mark

A persistent backache led to multiple doctor visits, a biopsy, and ultimately to a stage IV lung cancer diagnosis last October for Decorah resident Penny Bockman. Penny is a wife and mother of four.

Following the initial diagnosis, Penny met with a radiation doctor, an oncologist, and a palliative drug doctor. A blood test was taken to determine the treatment plan. After finding out she was a match for immunotherapy, she had two weeks of radiation to shrink the tumor on her right side and then began immunotherapy rather than chemotherapy.

The types of treatment used in Penny's case are monoclonal antibodies and non-specific immunotherapies. Read more about immunotherapy at https://www.cancer.net/…/immuno…/understanding-immunotherapy.

Penny is scheduled for an immunotherapy treatment every three weeks. Her next treatment is March 6th and 7th in LaCrosse. The 45 minute treatment is given through a permanent port in her chest. She will do this routine for the rest of her life. The treatments are followed by a scan every so many weeks. Her first scan was in January, after three treatments. "We were overjoyed to hear of the positive results, and we are praying for the treatment to continue working," said Dana Bockman.

Immunotherapy is a relatively new approach to fighting lung cancer. The side effects are far less harsh than chemotherapy, which attacks virtually everything. Instead, immunotherapy can work by either stimulating a person's own immune system to work harder, by attacking cancer cells, or by giving a person man-made immune system proteins. With this treatment, a patient will not lose their hair or become sick following treatments. A patient may even appear healthy. Penny's treatment has not affected her appetite.

Fatigue is one issue Penny deals with on a regular basis. Resting every few hours helps. Penny was initially warned immunotherapy has a one percent chance of attacking the pancreas. Her pancreas was damaged during treatment and keeping her blood sugar under control has been difficult. Penny gives herself four daily insulin shots to help control her blood sugar levels.

A Decorah classmate reached out to the Bockmans, saying that he wanted to do something for Penny. The classmate gave Penny and her family a trip to California as a gift.

While in California they visited Disneyland, Universal Studios, ate a buffet lunch while watching orcas swim in front of them, and went to a Lakers basketball game. Penny just had to be careful about getting tired each day. She napped in the afternoons and would go back out in the evenings. One of Penny's favorite things was swimming with the dolphins.

"I'm so thankful I live in a small community. The outpouring of encouragement I've received is amazing. I've received cards in the mail from people I don't personally know. My co-workers, regular customers and my 'Rotary peeps,' as I call them, have been so encouraging to me," shared Penny. "I try to keep a positive attitude. I just have to keep going. I try to save up my good days to watch my sons play basketball."

Friends and family are hosting a fundraiser Saturday night at Nob Hill at 7:00 p.m. to help defray expenses associated with Penny's treatment.

Right to Left: Penny's son Joseph, husband Mark, Penny, son Matthew, classmate Darryl and friend Leo

Penny, Joseph, Matthew, and Mark