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From ‘Routine Hernia’ to Rare Cancer: Katie’s Stage 4 Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma (ASPS) Story
Katie L., Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma (ASPS), Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptom: Appearance of lump in abdominal area Treatments: Radiation therapy, surgeries (abdominal resection with mesh placement, reconstruction), immunotherapy
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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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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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Ali on Cervical Cancer, Hysterectomy, and the Pap Smear That Could Save Your Life
Ali R., Cervical Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptoms: General malaise, fatigue, persistent nausea, urinary incontinence, difficulty sleeping Treatments: Surgeries (radical hysterectomy, ureteral stent placement), chemotherapy (cisplatin), radiation therapy
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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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“Not Me. That’s Not My Story.”: Haley’s Rarest of the Rare Diagnosis – Breast-Primary Neuroendocrine Carcinoma
Haley K., Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Symptoms: Dark urine, extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, constipation, poor-quality sleep, mood swings due to hormonal changes Treatment: Chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel)
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Living From Scan to Scan: Young Dad Nathan’s Stage 4 Colon Cancer Story
Nathan G., Colon Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptoms: Persistent heartburn, feeling full after eating, severe abdominal pain Treatments: Surgeries (colectomy, cytoreductive surgery, lymphanadectomy), chemotherapy (FOLFOX, HIPEC or hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy)
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Stage 4 Colon Cancer at 26: Mariana’s Story of Missed Signs, Major Surgery, and Finding Her Voice
Mariana T., Colon Cancer, Stage 4 (Metastatic) Symptoms: Bloating, anemia, appearance of blood in stool Treatments: Surgeries (bowel resection, oophorectomy, salpingectomy), chemotherapy (oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, FOLFOX), immunotherapy (bevacizumab)
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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)
