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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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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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Motherhood, Horses, and HR+ Metastatic Breast Cancer: Joelle’s Story
Joelle E., Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptoms: Severe nausea, very low weight gain during pregnancy, profound fatigue, difficulty walking, lack of milk production in right breast, intermittent nipple inversion, severe bone pain (right hip) Treatments: Targeted radiation therapy, hormone therapies (tamoxifen, leuprolide), targeted therapy (CDK4/6 inhibitor – abemaciclib)
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Itchy Skin, Night Sweats, and a Neck Lump: Alexia’s Hodgkin Lymphoma Symptoms
Alexia S., Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Symptoms: Night sweats, intense itching and rash on wrists, legs, and feet, fatigue and falling asleep mid-conversation, shortness of breath, dizziness, blurry vision, appearance of neck lump and chest mass Treatments: Chemotherapy (ABVD, BV, and BEAM), immunotherapy (nivolumab), autologous stem cell transplant
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From Hip Pain to Metastatic Breast Cancer: How Mom and Teacher Erica Shows Up for ALL of Her Kids
Erica H., Breast Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptoms: Stage 1: appearance of lump in left breast; Stage 4: severe pain in hip, ribs, spine, and shoulder blade Treatments: Surgeries (double mastectomy, reconstruction), chemotherapy, cold caps, radiation therapy, hormone therapy (aromatase inhibitor, letrozole), targeted therapy (CDK4/6 inhibitor, ribociclib), integrative care
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LeeAnn Found Meaning After Her Adult Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) Brain Tumor Diagnosis
LeeAnn T., Brain Tumor (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma or DIPG), Grade 2 Symptoms: Facial tingling, double vision Treatment: Radiation therapy
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How an Athlete’s Mindset Guided Marina’s Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Experience – Twice
Marina B., Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Stage 2, BRCA1+ Symptoms: Month-long twinge of pain in breast (first diagnosis), appearance of lump in armpit (second diagnosis) Treatments: Chemotherapy (AC and paclitaxel), surgery (mastectomy and reconstruction), radiation therapy
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Kalei’s Stage 4 Rectal Cancer Story: Has My Cancer Returned?
Kalei M., Rectal Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptoms: More frequent bowel movements, presence of mucus, tissue-like substance, and blood in stool, stomach cramping and sharp pains Treatments: Radiation therapy, chemotherapy (FOLFOX), surgeries (two lung resections)
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Living Every Breath: Megan’s Stage 4 ALK+ Lung Cancer Experience as a Young Mom
Megan F., Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, ALK+, Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptoms: Chest pain, anxiety, shortness of breath, arm pain and swelling, back pain Treatment: Targeted therapy (lorlatinib)
