Cassandra Balances Motherhood, Life, and Stage 4 Adrenal Cancer (Adrenocortical Carcinoma)
Cassandra’s life took a strange and unwelcome turn in October 2021 when she was diagnosed with stage 4 adrenal cancer. She was pregnant at the time, and her diagnosis was uncovered through blood tests she took to determine her baby’s gender. The test results were confusing, and they opened the door to many medical appointments. Ultimately, Cassandra found that she had a tumor the size of a softball on her adrenal gland.
Interviewed by: Taylor Scheib
Edited by: Chris Sanchez
Cassandra’s diagnosis stunned her, but it also allowed her resilience to come to the fore. As she deals with the complexities of adrenal cancer (a rare cancer that’s also known as adrenocortical carcinoma), she remains focused on her family, especially her young son, Paxton. Cassandra and her husband work tirelessly to ensure that Paxton’s days are full of love, laughter, and routine. She shares that when they talk to him about her illness, they frame it simply as “Mom not feeling well.” This keeps him innocent while Cassandra works to manage the physical and emotional effects of her condition.
Cassandra’s story isn’t about her health alone. It’s also about self-advocacy and the importance of trusting one’s instincts. She’s worked with multiple oncologists, each of whom has offered different perspectives and approaches to her treatment plan. She’s unafraid to seek second opinions and emphasizes what she’s done to form a medical team that shares her values and understands stage 4 adrenal cancer. Because of this empowered approach, she has been able to receive care tailored to her unique situation.
Mental health plays a key role in Cassandra’s experience. She embraces her vulnerability and lets herself feel raw emotions, often during the quiet baths she enjoys as a safe space to process her feelings. However, she balances these moments with positivity, knowing how much she influences those around her. Cassandra maintains her sense of humor and can laugh at herself, even during tougher days. For example, when she lost her hair after chemotherapy, she recounts how she embraced her baldness by joking about it with friends and family.
Cassandra doesn’t let cancer put her life on pause. In the midst of one of her treatments, she married her sweetheart in a heartfelt ceremony and celebrated with close family and friends. Cassandra continues to live fully in the face of stage 4 adrenal cancer, attending concerts, going on trips, and cherishing every moment with her family. But her advocacy goes beyond her situation. She encourages others who’ve been diagnosed to trust their support systems, look for second opinions, and make mental health a top priority.
Watch Cassandra’s video to find out more about:
- How a routine blood test during pregnancy led to an unexpected stage 4 adrenal cancer diagnosis
- Cassandra’s candid take on balancing motherhood with cancer
- The pivotal role of self-advocacy in cancer treatment
- Cassandra’s inspiring experience, from diagnosis to wedding vows
- Her belief that cancer may alter life’s course, but it doesn’t define it
- Name:
- Cassandra R.
- Age at Diagnosis:
- 28
- Diagnosis:
- Adrenal Cancer (Adrenocortical Carcinoma)
- Staging:
- Stage 4
- Symptoms:
- None; inconclusive bloodwork during a blood test to determine her baby’s gender
- Treatments:
- Surgery: adrenalectomy
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
This interview has been edited for clarity and length. This is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider to make informed treatment decisions.
The views and opinions expressed in this interview do not necessarily reflect those of The Patient Story.
Inspired by Cassandra's story?
Share your story, too!
Other Rare Adrenal Cancer Stories
Ashley S., Adrenal Cancer, Stage 4
Symptoms: Swollen ankles, very low potassium levels
Treatments: Surgery (removal of tumor, open-heart surgery), chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation
...
Ashley P., Adrenal Cancer, Stage 4
Symptom: Mild back pain on her left side that escalated in severity
Treatments: Chemotherapy (etoposide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin), mitotane, surgery, lenvatinib
...
Cassandra R., Adrenal Cancer (Adrenocortical Carcinoma), Stage 4
Symptoms: None; inconclusive bloodwork during a blood test to determine her baby’s gender
Treatments: Surgery (adrenalectomy), radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy
...
Hope L., Adrenal Cancer, Stage 2
Symptoms: High blood pressure, butterfly rash, joint pain and swelling, rapid heart rate
Treatments: Surgery (adrenalectomy), chemotherapy
...
Janelle C., Adrenal Cancer (Adrenocortical Carcinoma), Stage 4
Symptoms: Excessive thirst and water intake, interrupted sleep due to waking to drink and urinate, suspicious weight gain despite working out
Treatments: Surgeries (adrenalectomy, nephrectomy), chemotherapy
...