Brittany D., a 38-year-old stage T1b stomach cancer survivor, shares her journey from diagnosis to recovery. Diagnosed in June 2021, Brittany describes herself as a wife, dog mom, and nurse who loves fitness, fashion, and food.

Brittany’s cancer journey started unexpectedly with a choking incident at work, which led her to seek medical advice despite initially being reassured by her doctors. Brittany recalled experiencing neck and shoulder pain, difficulty swallowing, and a history of H. pylori infection, a risk factor for stomach cancer. She underwent a series of tests, including an upper endoscopy, after which her doctors found a 1-cm mass in her stomach which was eventually diagnosed as gastric adenocarcinoma with signet ring cells.

Upon learning about her diagnosis, Brittany sought expert opinions, researching and joining support groups, particularly No Stomach for Cancer and Stomach Cancer Sisters, which provided her with valuable information. She consulted several surgical oncologists before deciding to undergo treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City with Dr. Sam Yoon, a specialist in early-stage stomach cancer. Dr. Yoon suggested a curative surgery without chemotherapy, to Brittany’s relief.

In Brittany’s surgery, 60% of her stomach was removed, along with 25 lymph nodes. Fortunately, the lymph nodes were cancer-free, and she did not require chemotherapy. However, the physical and mental toll of the diagnosis and recovery was significant. She lost weight due to fear of eating and experienced post-surgery challenges, such as dumping syndrome, which affects her digestion and energy levels. Learning to manage her diet became crucial, and she adapted to eating smaller, protein-rich meals frequently throughout the day.

The emotional impact of cancer has lingered, and Brittany sought therapy, mindfulness practices, and spiritual healing to cope with anxiety and the fear of recurrence. She emphasizes the importance of gratitude and a new perspective on life, realizing how precious it is after facing such a life-altering event. Though she still deals with physical challenges and occasional difficult days, Brittany is thankful for her recovery and strives to live with a greater appreciation for every moment.