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“I See This As a Chronic Disease, Not a Death Sentence”: Michelle’s HER2+ Stage 4 Breast Cancer Story
Michelle M., Breast Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic), HER2+ Symptoms: Bloody discharge from the nipple, appearance of a golf-ball-sized lump in the armpit Treatments: Chemotherapy (including through the HER2CLIMB clinical trial), surgeries (mastectomy, reconstruction, awake craniotomy), monoclonal antibody (trastuzumab), radiation therapy (Gamma Knife radiosurgery)
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From Crohn’s Flare to Incidental Kidney and Appendix Cancer: 30-Year-Old Mom Emily’s Experience
Emily M., Kidney Cancer (Renal Cell Carcinoma with Clear and Papillary Cell Properties), Stage 2; Appendix Cancer Symptom: Incidental discovery during treatments for Crohn’s disease Treatments: Ablation therapy (cryoablation), surgeries (colectomy, ostomy surgery)
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“Love is a Choice”: Gray’s Cancer Caregiver Perspective on His Late Wife Samantha’s Metastatic Breast Cancer
Gray M., Spouse of Samantha, Breast Cancer Patient ”They say love is not a feeling — it’s a choice. And we chose it. Samantha definitely chose it. She knew how to engage in the act of loving her family.”
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How John Navigated a Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Diagnosis Alongside His Wife and Care Partner, Heike
John M., Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer, Stage T2 Symptoms: Intermittent appearance of blood in urine or hematuria Treatments: Surgeries (radical cystectomy, splenectomy, ileal conduit urinary diversion), chemotherapy
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“Listening to Your Body”: Kristen’s Stage 3 Colon Cancer Experience and Life After Treatment
Kristen B., Colon Cancer, Stage 3 Symptoms: Abdominal pain, constipation or difficulty using the bathroom, vomiting stool Treatments: Surgeries (colectomy, appendectomy, ileostomy), chemotherapy (oxaliplatin)
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When the Lump Wasn’t ‘Nothing’: Selina’s Stage 4 Parotid Gland Cancer Experience
Selina P., Parotid Gland Cancer (Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Parotid Gland), Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptoms: Appearance of a small, movable, eventually painful lump that would sometimes produce a “crackling” sensation when touched, persistent earache Treatments: Surgeries (parotidectomy, lymphanadectomy), targeted radiation therapy
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“Not Me. That’s Not My Story.”: Haley’s Rarest of the Rare Diagnosis – Breast-Primary Neuroendocrine Carcinoma
Haley K., Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Symptoms: Dark urine, extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, constipation, poor-quality sleep, mood swings due to hormonal changes Treatment: Chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel)
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Living From Scan to Scan: Young Dad Nathan’s Stage 4 Colon Cancer Story
Nathan G., Colon Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptoms: Persistent heartburn, feeling full after eating, severe abdominal pain Treatments: Surgeries (colectomy, cytoreductive surgery, lymphanadectomy), chemotherapy (FOLFOX, HIPEC or hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy)
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“I’m Going to Beat This”: Rich’s Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer Experience
Rich N., Pancreatic Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptoms: Week-long stomach pain and constipation Treatments: Chemotherapy (FOLFIRINOX), targeted radiation therapy
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Stage 4 Colon Cancer at 26: Mariana’s Story of Missed Signs, Major Surgery, and Finding Her Voice
Mariana T., Colon Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptoms: Bloating, anemia, appearance of blood in stool Treatments: Surgeries (bowel resection, oophorectomy, salpingectomy), chemotherapy (oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, FOLFOX), immunotherapy (bevacizumab)
