Her Medical Miracle

With immunotherapy, Lisa Moore recovered from aggressive metastatic cancer
By Lauren Simmons Johnson

photo by shane darby.

On February 9th, 2023, Lisa Moore was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Five months later, her scans showed significant improvement, and by September, she was in remission. Lisa attributed the healing to her faith in the Lord and the cutting-edge treatments in immunotherapy.

“I can not even imagine going through this without God,” she said. “He handpicked some mighty warriors to be His hands and feet on Earth for us.”

Lisa with her daughter, Emily, and daughter-in-law, Halah, on a family vacation. submitted photo.

Lisa said she sought her doctor’s input when she began to have trouble breathing in January of 2023. What she thought to be pneumonia was over three pounds of fluid in her lungs, the result of breast cancer that had spread not only to both of her lungs but also to her sternum, liver, spine, and pelvis. Her doctors told her she had three months to live. Lisa’s life changed when she was referred to the Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute (CARTI) and Dr. Sam Makhoul.

“Dr. Makhoul calls me his miracle patient,” Lisa said. “This is usually a death sentence for most people, but his research is changing things, and he gave us hope.”

She immediately began immunotherapy treatments to
attack the cancer cells and stop them from reproducing. Immunotherapy is a new type of cancer treatment that boosts the body’s immune system to help fight the cancer cells with its own resources, according to the American Cancer Society. Lisa was given port infusions every three weeks and started on a trial drug to reduce the spread of cancer cells to her brain.

Shortly after the treatments began, Lisa’s scans showed the cancer cells dying; however, this caused other problems, as the dead cells formed fluid in her lungs. As her immunotherapy treatments progressed, her lungs continued to fill with fluid. “I had to have over 30 thoracenteses throughout my treatment due to all the fluid in my lungs,” she said, describing the procedure that removed the excess fluid. 

By June, Lisa’s PET scans showed significant improvement in all areas. However, biopsy results showed that Lisa’s cancer was HER2-positive, a fast-growing breast cancer that requires intensive chemotherapy.

“This is the day I learned I would lose my hair,” Lisa said. “My daughter, Emily, was with me; she was so tough and encouraging.”

Halah, Zack, Lisa, and Emily participated in the Tough Kookie Foundation Cancer Walk last October. submitted photo.

Emily said she has witnessed her mother’s faith and strength since the day she was diagnosed. “Despite the physical and emotional toll, she fought with a determination and faith in God that inspires me and so many others,” Emily said. “The process has been grueling—there were days when she seemed ready to give in—but even in those dark moments, she found a way to keep pushing forward.”

By August of 2023, Lisa finished her final round of chemotherapy, and her lungs were fluid-free. She said her prayer groups at the First Baptist Church of Texarkana and the Tough Kookie Foundation were lifelines for her during her treatments. She will be forever grateful for the “tears and victories” shared at the locally based cancer support foundation and credited her prayer group as her “warriors” who carried her through the fight.

Lisa and her granddaughter Caroline out on a spa day. submitted photo.

“They have prayed over me, supported me, and encouraged me,” she said. “They reminded me that God is in control and worry has no place here. I think God put me in that group knowing I was going into battle.”

Another unexpected blessing, according to Lisa, was Prodigy Life, a local faith-based yoga studio. She said the studio was a comfort to her during her battle with cancer and the healing process afterwards.

Lisa welcomed her grandson Koen into the world last year on May 27th. submitted photo.

“My daughter found Prodigy and signed me up for a few classes after my diagnosis,” she said. “I didn’t think I would enjoy yoga, but it was truly a blessing. My yoga family has been through this journey with me.”

Lisa said Prodigy Life has helped her mentally, physically, and spiritually during and after her cancer. She described the community focus as providing the best support for her during an anxious time.

After an early chemo treatment, Lisa holds a gift from her daughter, Emily. submitted photo.

Emily said watching her mom transform through yoga has been an incredible experience and that she is grateful that her mom took a chance on something that is now an integral part of her healing journey.

“I’ve seen her find a sense of peace and empowerment,” Emily said. “It has become a space for her to breathe, to process everything she’s been through, and to reconnect with herself.”

Lisa’s family took a vacation to Gulf Shores this year. submitted photo.

Lisa said that she has now been in remission for over two years. The experience has left a lasting mark on her life. She learned to trust God more with her burdens, and her medical miracle has helped her speak out about her faith. Since her victory over cancer, she has celebrated her son’s wedding and the birth of her fourth grandchild. She said she continues to attend Prodigy Life yoga, lean on her support groups—including her prayer warriors, Sunday school class, and friends at Tough Kookie—and praise God for her own personal miracle.