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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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Tongue Cancer at 37: Brittany’s Misdiagnosis, Major Surgery, and Finding Her Voice Again
Brittany Z., Tongue Cancer (Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue and Lymph Nodes), Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptoms: Painful tongue rash, loss of mobility, severe ear pain Treatments: Surgeries (partial glossectomy, lymphadenectomy, tonsillectomy, tracheostomy, feeding tube placement, tongue reconstruction), radiation therapy, chemotherapy (cisplatin)
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Colon Cancer at 24: Meagan’s Story of Listening to One Symptom
Meagan M., Colon Cancer, Stage 3C Symptom: Appearance of blood in stool Treatments: Surgery (partial colectomy), chemotherapy (FOLFOX)
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Metastatic Thyroid Cancer in College: Grace’s Story of Self‑Advocacy and Softball
Grace B., Thyroid Cancer (Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma), Metastatic Symptoms: Significant and unexplained weight gain, persistent fatigue, brain fog, bloating Treatments: Surgery (subtotal thyroidectomy with central neck dissection), watch and wait/active surveillance
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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)
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James Faced Recurrent Hodgkin Lymphoma While Becoming a Dad
James B., Relapsed Hodgkin Lymphoma Symptoms: Night sweats, itching, persistent lump in neck Treatments: Chemotherapy (ABVD, ICE, and BEAM), autologous stem cell transplant
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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
