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Allison’s 15 Years of Caregiving Through Fanconi Anemia and Multiple Cancers
Allison B., Spouse of Sean B., Fanconi Anemia (FA) and Skin, Tongue, Bladder, Esophageal, Throat, and Liver Cancer Patient “[Caregivers] are part of the story too; this is going to impact every part of your life and your well-being. Recognize that and name that from the beginning.”
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Nancy’s Rare Sarcoma Diagnosis Started With a Lump Her Friend Saw
Nancy M., Soft Tissue Sarcoma Symptoms: Unexplained fatigue, tingling sensation in the left arm, shooting pain down the left arm, appearance of a lump in the left armpit Treatments: Surgery (tumor excision)
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Brice Was Too Weak to Hold His Daughter; He Was Diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma at 31
Brice D., Multiple Myeloma Symptoms: Worsening fatigue and weakness, bone pain, lower back pain, inexplicable weight loss, poor appetite, shortness of breath, severe anemia Treatments: Chemotherapy (D-VRd, KRd, melphalan), autologous stem cell transplant, immunotherapy (lenalidomide)
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How a Rare Genetic Disorder Finally Explained Angela’s Colon Cancer and Small Bowel Cancers
Angela F., Colon Cancer and Small Bowel Cancer Symptoms: Colon Cancer: None; found through routine bloodwork and a stool test; Small Bowel Cancer: coughing up blood, recurring heart palpitations Treatments: Surgeries (total proctocolectomy, temporary ileostomy, ileostomy reversal, hysterectomy, small bowel tumor resection), immunotherapy (pembrolizumab)
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Two Years of ‘It’s Just Anxiety’ Before an X-ray Found Stage 4 Hodgkin Lymphoma
Rhea G., Hodgkin Lymphoma, Stage 4 Symptoms: Debilitating leg pain, severe chest pain, heart palpitations, amenorrhea, intense night sweats Treatments: Pericardiocentesis, chemotherapy (AVD), immunotherapy, hormone therapy (goserelin)
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Jessica’s BRCA2 Genetic Mutation Led Her to Catch Her HR+ Breast Cancer Early
Jessica L., Breast Cancer, HR+, BRCA2+ Symptoms: None; discovered during a screening mammogram Treatments: Surgeries (full mastectomy, breast reconstruction, breast revision surgery, salpingectomy, single oophorectomy)
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Raqueal’s Exhaustion Was Essential Thrombocythemia (ET), a Blood Cancer
Raqueal P., Essential Thrombocythemia, JAK2+ Symptoms: Extreme fatigue, abnormally high platelet count Treatment: Watch and wait
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Hannah’s Rare DSRCT Cancer Diagnosis at 23, After Extreme Fatigue, Weight Loss, and Back Pain
Hannah J., Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor (DSRCT) Symptoms: Weight loss, fatigue, back pain Treatments: Chemotherapy, surgeries (abdominal surgery with radioactive isotope treatment (through a clinical trial), kyphoplasty, spinal reconstruction surgery, spinal fusion surgery, resection of tumor in psoas muscle), targeted radiation therapy (proton therapy)
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How a Car Accident Uncovered Carly’s Stage 3B Rectal Cancer
Carly B., Rectal Cancer, Stage 3B Symptoms: Bloating and discomfort, hypercalcemia (high calcium levels in the blood), significant and inexplainable weight loss, sallow skin, severe constipation Treatments: Chemotherapy (FOLFOX), radiation therapy, surgeries (tumor resection, temporary ileostomy)
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Dan’s Testicular Cancer Was Found by an Ultrasound, Not a Symptom
Dan K., Testicular Cancer Symptoms: None per se; discovered during routine ultrasound to monitor a varicocele Treatment: Surgery (orchiectomy)
