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Diagnosed at 35: Zed’s Stage 3 Colon Cancer and the Power of Early Screening
Zed D., Colon Cancer, Stage 3B Symptoms: Fatigue, blood in stool, inconsistent bowel movements Treatments: Chemotherapy, surgeries (total colectomy, bowel obstruction surgery)
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The COVID Pandemic Led Straight to Ken’s Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis; Three Years Later, He’s Still Here
Ken S., Colorectal Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptoms: Frequent loose bowel movements, intermittent rectal bleeding, fever and chills, rapid and significant weight loss Treatments: Surgeries (total colectomy, liver resection), ablation therapy (liver and lung ablations), chemotherapy (FOLFOX, capecitabine, fluorouracil), monoclonal antibody (panitumumab)
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From Multiple Tumors to a Liver Transplant: How Keaton Survived Rare Bile Duct Cancer (Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma)
Keaton H., Bile Duct Cancer (Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma) Symptoms: Mild heartburn and gastrointestinal discomfort, persistent low-grade abdominal pain Treatments: Chemotherapy (gemcitabine, cisplatin, FOLFOX), monoclonal antibodies (durvalumab, zenocutuzumab), radiation therapy (Y-90 radioembolization), surgery (liver transplant)
Bile Duct Cancer, Chemotherapy, durvalumab, FOLFOX (folinic acid, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin), Gemzar (gemcitabine), Immunotherapy, Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma, Liver transplant, Monoclonal Antibody, Patient Stories, Platinol (cisplatin), Radiation Therapy, Treatments, Y-90 radioembolization, Zenocutuzumab -
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From Nighttime Chest Rattle to Boston Marathon: Roy’s KRAS+ Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Story
Roy B., Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (Adenocarcinoma of the Lung with Mucinous Features), Stage 2B Symptom: Nighttime chest rattle when lying prone Treatments: Surgery (VATS lobectomy), chemotherapy (cisplain), immunotherapy
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Diagnosed at 15 with Stage 4 ALK+ Lung Cancer, Jake Chose to Put Life First and Never Looked Back
Jake L., Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, ALK+, Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptoms: Severe, persistent migraines, throbbing headaches upon transitioning from horizontal to vertical (lasting 30-40 days before diagnosis, balance disruption Treatments: Surgeries (multiple brain resections), radiation therapy (tradiational, Gamma Knife radiosurgery, proton therapy), chemotherapy, targeted therapy (ALK inhibitor), clinical trials
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How Jesse Faced Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and a Bone Marrow Transplant
Jesse G., Early T‑cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ETP‑ALL) Symptoms: Lump under the chin, progressive lymph node swelling above the clavicles, facial swelling, fatigue, malaise, “flu‑like” feeling Treatments: Chemotherapy (hyper-CVAD, pediatric/AYA regimen), allogeneic stem cell transplant, donor lymphocyte infusion + nelarabine
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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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I was My Best Advocate: David’s Stage 4 Colon Cancer Experience
Helen D., Colon Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptoms: Pelvic pressure and pain, burning with urination, bloating, constipation for a short period, low energy or fatigue, discomfort sitting, night sweats Treatments: Chemotherapy (FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, hepatic artery infusion pump therapy), targeted therapy (panitumumab), surgeries (liver resection and ablations, colon resection, full hysterectomy)
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I Have Stage 4 Melanoma: Chris on Faith, Scanxiety, and New Treatments
Chris K., Melanoma, Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptom: Swollen lymph nodes in the neck Treatments: Surgeries (lymphadenectomy, wide local excision, reconstruction), Immunotherapy (neoadjuvant immunotherapy – ipilimumab and nivolumab, PD-1/LAG-3 combination – nivolumab and relatlimab-rmbw through a clinical trial)
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“I Was Weeks Away from Liver Failure”: Jim’s Stage 4 Colon Cancer
Jim S., Colon Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptom: Back pain, especially when sleeping for long periods Treatments: Surgery (partial colectomy), chemotherapy (FOLFIRINOX, bevacizumab, oxaliplatin, irinotecan)
