Bill’s Stage 4 Colon Cancer is Incurable, But He’s Living His Life on His Own Terms
Bill shares his harrowing yet inspiring journey with stage 4 colon cancer. He had noticed blood in his stools for several weeks, symptoms which he initially dismissed. However, his wife Lisa, who is a nurse and familiar with such symptoms, urged him to get a colonoscopy. This led to the discovery of a cancerous tumor on his colon that had spread to his liver.
Interviewed by: Nikki Murphy
Edited by: Chris Sanchez
Bill’s resolve was accordingly tested by this daunting diagnosis, which was revealed a day before his 44th birthday. Faced with the financial and emotional burden of his illness, he contemplated the implications of fighting a potentially unwinnable battle. Nevertheless, he decided to give everything he had to fight against his colon cancer.

Bill and his family decided to seek treatment for his stage 4 colon cancer at Mayo Clinic. He suggested to his doctors the possibility of performing a double surgery to address the colon and liver tumors simultaneously, to which they later agreed. Following this, Bill began six rounds of chemotherapy in Pennsylvania before eventually returning to Mayo Clinic for surgery. His surgeries, performed laparoscopically, went smoothly, allowing for a quick recovery. He remained proactive in his treatment, opting for continuous monitoring through blood work and CT scans to catch any recurrence early.
Despite a successful initial treatment, Bill subsequently encountered recurrent tumors in his liver and additionally in his lungs. His doctors had to perform additional surgeries and chemotherapy to treat these new tumors. But Bill maintained his steadfast resolve throughout these succeeding treatments.
Bill’s story took a new direction when a blood test subsequently revealed that his stage 4 colon cancer was incurable. Despite the grim prognosis, he researched and pursued clinical trials and new treatments, continually fighting to stay ahead of the disease. Bill’s situation took another turn when doctors discovered a brain tumor, leading to a Gamma Knife surgery at Mayo Clinic, which he endured while remaining optimistic.
Bill embodies resilience and a fighting spirit, refusing to let his metastatic colon cancer dictate his life. He emphasizes the importance of embracing the difficult moments and not letting the hard days define him. Humor, strength, and unwavering determination to outlive the statistics mark his journey. As he faces ongoing chemotherapy and lifelong maintenance treatment, Bill also remains focused on writing his own narrative. His stage 4 colon cancer notwithstanding, he is determined to create his legacy and live life on his own terms.
- Name:
- Bill I.
- Age at Diagnosis:
- 43
- Diagnosis:
- Colon Cancer
- Staging:
- Stage 4
- Symptom:
- Blood in stool
- Treatments:
- Chemotherapy
- Surgery
This interview has been edited for clarity. This is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider to make treatment decisions.

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