A Mother’s Journey Through Surgery, Advocacy, and Hope

Alexa M. was only 29 when she noticed blood in her stool during a trip to Cape Cod. Already a new mother, she assumed the symptoms were minor. However, when the bleeding and discomfort worsened within a week, she scheduled a same-day colonoscopy. On September 11, 2019, her life changed in an instant: Alexa was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer, which had already spread to her liver.

In consultation with an oncologist at Emerson Hospital, Alexa chose to begin chemotherapy right away. She also made the difficult decision to forgo fertility treatments, focusing on aggressive cancer care instead. Within two weeks, a port was placed, and Alexa started chemo. Only a few months later, she came to the Mass General Cancer Center, where Dr. Motaz Qadan resected 65% of her liver. Soon after, Dr. James Cusack and Dr. Qadan teamed up to remove her primary colon tumor and any remaining liver cancer cells. Although Alexa’s first post-surgery scan revealed nodules in her lungs, she remained resilient, undergoing further procedures to manage new challenges.

Throughout her treatments—surgeries, chemotherapy, and more—Alexa credits her care team’s expertise, collaboration, and open communication for helping her press forward. She grew particularly close to Dr. Qadan, who outlined every surgical detail and supported her both mentally and physically. Today, Alexa’s colon and liver remain clear, and she focuses on living in the moment with her family, traveling and making memories with her young son.

Her journey also ignited a passion for advocacy. Partnering with her husband, Ryan, Alexa has worked with state representatives in Massachusetts, pushing to lower the screening age for colonoscopies to 30. She firmly believes that early detection is crucial for young-onset patients, whose symptoms can often be silent. Despite every challenge, Alexa finds purpose in giving back and hopes her story inspires others to remain vigilant and fight back against cancer.