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From Pneumonia to Stage 4 ALK-Positive Lung Cancer: How Jennifer Learned to Push Back and Speak Up
Jessica W., Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Stage 4 (Metastatic), ALK+ Symptoms: Left-sided rib pain, fatigue with the need for daytime naps, interruptive and persistent cough Treatments: Radiation therapy, targeted therapy (alectinib, lorlatinib)
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A Routine Physical Found Craig’s Stage 4 Prostate Cancer Before Any Symptoms Showed
Craig N., Prostate Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic), Gleason 9 Symptoms: None; caught elevated PSA at routine physical Treatments: Surgery (robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy), chemotherapy (docetaxel), hormone therapies (leuprolide and enzalutamide), radiation therapy, targeted therapies (abiraterone with prednisone, lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan), clinical trial (antibody-drug conjugate), monoclonal antibody (denosumab) (planned)
Antibody-drug conjugate, Chemotherapy, denosumab (Xgeva), enzalutamide (Xtandi), Hormone Therapies, leuprolide (Lupron), lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan (Pluvicto), Metastatic Prostate Cancer, Monoclonal Antibody, Patient Stories, prednisone, Prostate Cancer, Prostatectomy (radical), Radiation Therapy, Robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP), Steroids, Surgery, Targeted Therapy, Taxotere (docetaxel), Treatments, Zytiga (abiraterone) -
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Every Symptom Had an Explanation: One Young Mom’s Burkitt Lymphoma Experience
Jessica S., Burkitt Lymphoma, Stage 4 Symptoms: Extreme fatigue, back pain (sacroiliac joint area), severe tooth pain, growing lump in the jaw, multiple lumps on the head (that initially appeared as hematomas), difficulty walking, inability to lift the baby, severe pain preventing sleep Treatment: Chemotherapy
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I Thought It Was Just Bloating. It Was Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer.
Joy K., Ovarian Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic), BRCA2+ Symptoms: Sprain-like abdominal pain, severe bloating/abdominal hardness, ascites (massive fluid buildup in stomach), inflammation, exhaustion Treatments: Paracentesis (fluid drainage), chemotherapy, monoclonal antibody (bevacizumab), surgery, PARP inhibitor (olaparib)
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My Breast Cancer Diagnosis at 15 Weeks Pregnant as a Surrogate: Shelby’s Extraordinary Story
Shelby M., Breast Cancer, Stage 2B, HER2+ Symptom: Palpable breast lump Treatments: Surgery (bilateral mastectomy), chemotherapy (doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, paclitaxel), targeted therapy (planned post-delivery)
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Navigating Stage 4 Breast Cancer: Betty’s Experience with Bone and Liver Metastases
Betty Jean A., Breast Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic), ER+, PIK3CA, ESR1 Symptom: Lingering severe back pain Treatments: Surgery, chemotherapy (capecitabine), radiation therapy, hormonal therapy (fulvestrant), targeted therapy (ribociclib)
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College Freshman and Suddenly Fighting Leukemia: Anni’s APL Diagnosis Story
Anni A., Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) Symptoms: Severe night sweats, extreme fatigue, hypersomnia, sudden muscle weakness and leg failure, slurred speech, inability to raise arms, unintentional weight loss, critically low white blood cell count Treatments: Chemotherapy (arsenic trioxide, all trans-retinoic acid or ATRA)
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Navigating an MDS Diagnosis and Severe Fatigue After losing My Spouse to AML
Linda M., Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), SF3B1 Symptoms: Severe fatigue, weight loss, breathlessness, anemiam joint pain Treatments: Watch and wait, vitamin B12, hormone therapy (erythropoietin-stimulating agent)
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Meg’s Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Story: I Said Yes to Bispecific Antibodies
Meg L., Follicular Lymphoma, Stage 4 Symptoms: Lower back pain, general feeling of unwellness Treatments: Clinical trial (bispecific antibody and immunotherapy)
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14 Years Later and Still Here: How Katie Smith Has Survived ‘Inoperable’ Brain Cancer
Katie S., Glioblastoma, Grade 4, IDH1+ Symptoms: Left arm heaviness and weakness, reduced fine motor control in the left hand, intermittent tingling in the left fingers Treatments: Surgeries (craniotomy, twice), radiation therapy, chemotherapy (temozolomide, CCNU), monoclonal antibody (bevacizumab)
