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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)
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From Losing His Appetite to Stage 4 Colon Cancer: Joe’s Story
Joe C., Colon Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptoms: Loss of appetite, fatigue, malaise, severe pain in the abdominal/liver area, back and shoulder pain, lightheadedness Treatments: Surgery (colon resection), chemotherapy (FOLFOX, capecitabine, FOLFIRI), targeted therapy (panitumumab, a monoclonal antibody), radiation therapy, immunotherapy through a clinical trial
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A Double Lung Transplant with Stage 4 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Natalie’s Search for Hope
Natalie B., Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptoms: Extreme fatigue, severe cough Treatments: Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, clinical trials, radiation therapy, surgery (double lung transplant)
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Christina Used AI to Help Navigate a Stage 4 Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Christina W., Breast Cancer, Stage 4 (De Novo Metastatic), HER2+, ER- Symptoms: Extreme fatigue, head and neck felt swollen, clogged lymph nodes, appearance of a lump on the breast Treatments: Monoclonal antibodies (trastuzumab, pertuzumab), radiation therapy
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From Fitness-Focused to Stage 4 Melanoma: Jenn’s Cancer Story
Jenn F., Melanoma, Stage 4 Symptoms: Initially asymptomatic, then a lump in the groin enlarged and changed color Treatments: Surgery (lymphadenectomy), radiation therapy (Gamma Knife radiosurgery), immunotherapy (Opdivo/nivolumab and Yervoy/ipilimumab)
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Personalized Medicine: Biomarker Testing Guided Maggie in Her Stage 4 Lung Cancer
Maggie M., Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, EGFR+, MET Amplification & Overexpression, Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptoms: Ocular migraines (kaleidoscope vision), partial blood clot (DVT) in the leg, vision and balance problems, minor chest pain Treatments: Targeted therapy (tyrosine kinase inhibitors or TKIs), radiation therapy (stereotactic body radiotherapy or SBRT), clinical trials, chemotherapy (combined platinum-based regimen)
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Self-Advocacy Saved Sydney’s Life: Diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer
Sydney S., Colon Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptoms: Constant stomachaches that only went away after bowel movements, pain after eating, changes in bowel size and shape Treatments: Surgeries (colectomy, temporary ileostomy, ileostomy reversal), chemotherapy (FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, trifluridine and tipiracil), monoclonal antibody (bevacizumab), radiation therapy, hormone therapy
Avastin (bevacizumab), Cancers, Chemotherapy, Colectomy, Colon, Colorectal, FOLFIRI (folinic acid, fluorouracil, irinotecan), FOLFOX (folinic acid, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin), Hormone Therapies, ileostomy, Ileostomy reversal, Metastatic, Metastatic, Monoclonal antibody drug, Patient Stories, Radiation Therapy, Surgery, Treatments, Trifluridine and tipiracil -
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From Chemo Exhaustion to Targeted Therapy: Clara’s Stage 4 ALK+ Lung Cancer Experience
Clara C., Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, ALK+, Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptoms: Pelvic pain and discomfort, bladder issues related to pelvic tumors, incontinence, pain in the lower back and hip Treatments: Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy (lorlatinib)
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Trust Your Body, Trust Your Care Team: How Aleeshia Faced Rare Burkitt Lymphoma at 33
Aleeshia T., Burkitt Lymphoma, Stage 4B Symptoms: Severe fatigue, deep shoulder pain, ear pain with inflammation, abdominal and pelvic pain, bloating, early fullness, nausea, difficulty eating, inability to urinate despite feeling an urgent need, internal bleeding, delayed period/bleeding, intense whole‑body pain leading to collapse Treatments: Surgeries (emergency laparoscopic surgery with left ovary removal), chemotherapy (R‑CODOX‑M/IVAC),…
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Diagnosed with Stage 3C Ovarian Cancer at 21: Julia’s Experience
Julia T., Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer, Stage 3C Symptoms: Unexplained weight loss and then rapid weight gain, chronic acid reflux and heartburn, persistent bloating and abdominal distension, early satiety, frequent urination with hip pain, extreme abdominal pain and tenderness Treatments: Surgeries (abdominal surgery to remove large ovarian cysts, full hysterectomy, debulking surgery), chemotherapy, hormone therapy…
